Genesis 38

The Explanation

Long, long ago there was a man. His name was Judah. Judah had three sons. Er was the oldest. Then came Onan. And the littlest one was Shelah.

When Er was big, he got a wife. Her name was Tamar. Tamar came to live with the family.

But then something sad happened. Er did bad things. God saw it. And Er died. Later Onan did bad things too. And he died as well.

Now Tamar was all alone. She had no husband any more.

Judah said to her, "Go and wait, Tamar. Wait at your father's house. Wait until Shelah is big."

So Tamar waited. And she waited. And she waited some more. She wore her grey sad clothes every day. Every day she looked down the long road. Was someone coming for her? No. Nobody came.

Shelah grew big. But Judah forgot his promise.

What Does This Mean?

Tamar was sad. And she was clever too.

One day she heard some news. Judah was walking to Timnah, to his sheep.

Tamar took off her grey clothes. She wrapped a veil over her face. Then she sat down by the road. And she waited.

Judah came walking along the road. He did not know it was Tamar! He talked with her. He promised her a little goat. Tamar said, "Then give me something to keep. Give me your ring. And your walking stick."

Judah gave them to her. Then he walked on.

Much later, Judah heard something. Tamar was going to have a baby! Judah was angry. Very, very angry. "Bring her here!" he shouted.

But Tamar sent him something first. A ring. And a walking stick.

Judah looked. He held them in his hands. And he went quiet. Very quiet.

They were his own. His ring. His stick.

Then Judah said something brave. "Tamar did right. And I did wrong. I forgot my promise to her."

The Common Thread

Judah said sorry. And Tamar was safe.

Then two babies were born! Twins. One little hand came out first. The helper tied a red thread around that hand. But then the other baby came out first. His name was Perez.

God did not forget Tamar. God did not throw this family away, not even when things went so wrong.

And long, long after, a baby was born in this same family. In a stable, in the night. That baby was Jesus.

For You

Maybe someone promised you something. And then forgot it. That hurts, doesn't it? Just like it hurt Tamar.

God never forgets you. Never, ever, not for one day.

And when you do something wrong, you may say it out loud. Just like Judah did. "I did wrong. I am sorry." God loves it when you say that. He does not shout at you. He holds you close.

Talk About It

Has someone ever forgotten a promise to you? How did that feel?

What do you want to say sorry to God for today?

Praying Together

Dear God, thank You that You never forget me. Sometimes I do wrong things. I am sorry. Please hold me close. Thank You for Jesus. Amen.