Genesis 38:27-30 – God will shape our destiny if we let Him

Jacob’s life story began with the account of his birth. He struggled with Esau even while he was in his mother’s womb. Now when we come to the end of his life we see the same narrative - the struggle of another pair of twins in Tamar’s womb. So verses 27-30 describe it for us: “It came about at the time she was giving birth, that behold, there were twins in her womb. Moreover, it took place while she was giving birth, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” But it came about as he drew back his hand that behold, his brother came out. Then she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” So he was named Perez. Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand; and he was named Zerah.”

The result was similar to that of Jacob and Esau. The younger gained prominence and pre-eminence over the elder. We will see all this play out in the history of Israel. It became more evident in the book of Ruth. In the record of the ten generations in Ruth 4:18-22, the list begins with Perez and ends with King David. Again in Matthew 1:2-6 we see the record of this ten generations of Perez to David, before Matthew defining it further to Christ. It all happened because of Tamar’s determination. Her determination saw her being grafted into playing a key role in the history of God’s chosen people. Here she became the vessel through whom two great kings arose – King David and Christ Jesus, the King of all kings.

If we look closely at Matthew chapter 1’s list of the genealogy of Christ, we will see five women namely, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary. Of these five, four were non-Jewish. We will also notice the absence of the prominent mothers, namely Sarah, Rebekah, Leah and Rachel. They were not even mentioned. Why did Matthew mention the four Gentile women before referring to Mary? It’s because they were all Gentiles. Tamar and Rahab were Canaanites, Ruth was a Moabitess and Bathsheba was a Hittite. Matthew’s intention was to make known that all along in God’s redemption plan, He does have the Gentiles in mind. And also for the same reason, Matthew closed his Gospel with the Great Commission, i.e.  “…to make disciples of all nations.”  

We may wonder why the relationship of all the four Gentile women were introduced in so undignified circumstances. Tamar sold herself to Judah; Ruth invited herself by lying at Boaz’s feet in the night; Rahab was introduced as a harlot and Bathsheba had an adulterous relationship with David. The answer is obvious, we worship a magnanimous God. He does not side-line us for our scandalous life. He wants to change and transform us to bring us into alignment with His plan. He wants us to become like Christ His beloved Son. We must not see this as a suggestion that we can go on living life scandalously. On the contrary, this is a call to come to God as we are and then allow Him to change our life and shape our destiny. What mercy! What love!