“And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar and Phares begat Esrom and Esrom begat Aram†(Matthew 1:3).
We concluded our Genesis 38 study with the unusual birth of Judah and Tamar’s twins, Pharez and Zarah. Today’s verse lists all four names in the genealogy of Christ. This is really a spectacular turn of events! Some of you may find this difficult to understand.
Think about your own family tree. Are they all like you? Are there names of people you wish were not your relatives? There’s not an earthly thing you can do but try to accept them. With pardoning mercy I think Christ did just that with the examples of repentance mentioned in today’s verse. Did He condone their sinfulness? No—He forgave them of it and restored them. Tamar might have had a tainted past, but God loved and forgave her. She would no longer have to hang her head in shame. Being brought back into Judah’s family, she has a place of honor in the genealogy of Jesus.
Sue Winchester
Missouri
PRAY TOGETHER: TWG column writers always covet your prayers. Remember Danita High, Rebecca Pugh, Tammy Miller, Crystal Hodges and editor Sarah Fletcher today.
