EXPLORING GENESIS SERIES
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THE BIBLE: EXPLORING GENESIS SERIES ICON. |
Chapter 38 Tamar and marriage.
Chapter 38 gives us some insight into
the importance that marriage, children and widowhood had. It also highlights
what tactics Tamar was prepared to engage in to be married, and have children,
although she waited until Judah was ‘available’.
It is interesting to note that she
wanted not only to conceive, but she also wanted some tangible commitment
(signet and cord) which she was later able to use as evidence of Judah’s
pledge. When Judah realised that Tamar was his daughter in law and he
had been tricked, he was at first angry, wanting her to be burned, but Tamar
confronts him with the evidence of the cord and signet and informs him that he
is the father of the child whom she is expecting. In due season, the time of
delivery arrived and Tamar had twins.
Chapter 38 highlights the timing of
marriage, sex and bearing children, and the ability of humanity to wait for the
appropriate person.
Nowadays, in secular society the
sequence of marriage and then ‘the patter of little feet’ is often reversed and
we can be mistaken into believing that this is the norm. For Catholics,
pre-marital sex, and adultery are grave sins, which when, these sins are committed,
the sinner need God’s healing and mercy.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS.
What is our attitude to marriage, sex
and bearing children?
What disguises and ploys do we use to
‘employ in ’ the dating game’?
What is our attitude to widowhood?
What ploys do people use to gain a
commitment in an improper relationship? How do those ploys affect the
relationship?
Why is adultery so damaging to the
marriage?
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