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Jacobs son Judah (patriarch of the line of Judah) had three sons: Er, Onan and Shelah. A woman named Tamar married Er, but then Er was wicked in the sight of God, so God killed him (Gen 37), leaving her a widow. Since it was required that the next of kin care for a brother’s widow to bring forth a child on behalf of his brother, Tamar was given to Onan, but he refused to pour his seeds into Tamar, God killed him too, he also died. Shelah was still a boy and could not marry Tamar, so Judah asked her to return to her father’s house and wait until Shelah was grown up. However, once Shelah was old enough, Judah did not honor his promise, afraid that his last son would also die. Tamar then went into town disguised as a prostitute, tricked Judah, and got him to sleep with her. She then became pregnant and bore twin sons named Perez and Zerah.
We would expect the twin sons of Judah’s incestuous union with his daughter-in-law to be outcasts, hidden away, or perhaps not even mentioned. However, surprisingly, the Messianic line continues through Tamar’s son Perez. God did not provide a “cleaner” way to continue the line that would eventually include His Son. Perez was the ancestor of Jesus of Nazereth.
Why are these unpleasant stories included in
Scripture, and why are the people involved – people who hurt others, even their own family members – granted the privilege of being included in the Messianic line? It may be simply to show us that God’s purpose is accomplished despite man’s unrighteousness. In Hebrews 11 there is a long list of Old Testament people who are commended for their faith, and among them are many sinful people who did dreadful things. But because they believed God, their faith was credited to them as righteousness (Genesis 15:6).
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