“And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first†(Genesis 38:28).
Tamar was carrying twins and there was an unbelievable struggle during their birth. Our verse contains another one of those plot twists. When you read Genesis 38:28-31 you are probably amazed Tamar survived their birth. Pharez didn’t have the scarlet thread but he was the firstborn. He got the birthright because his brother, Zarah, drew back his hand with the thread and Pharez came bursting forth from the womb. I can only imagine the pain Tamar experienced during the delivery of her sons. Pharez was going to be a ancestor of David and ultimately, as we will learn in this Monday’s devotion, a predecessor of Christ.
Next week’s devotions will be somewhat like the epilog of a play. This dramatic story deserves some afterthoughts before we bring the curtain down.
Sue Winchester
Missouri
PRAY TOGETHER: Pray about a book selection to read along with TWG studies. A recommended title is Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge.
