Today, reply is made to correct errors confusing Jacob’s daughter and the daughter-in-law of Judah. The origin for the tribe of Judah as the line that would put forth the Messiah is only dimly prefigured in the account of Tamar playing the whore at a time when temple prostitution was widely practiced in Canaan to demand justice after seeking lawful Levirate marriage with the sons of Judah. Even so, important sacred knowledge is shared on redemption and righteousness. “Father Dickinson” (Level 1 with 79 points, a member since August 14, 2017) posted the following:
This morning, a young man in my study group asked me a question I couldn't answer. Can some good Christians help?
During my children's group, "Touching Kids for Jesus", a young man asked how Jacob's daughter was moral for tricking him into sex (Genesis chapter 38). What should I have told him?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And this is the blessing of Judah: and he said, Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be thou an help to him from his enemies. (Deuteronomy 33: 7, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Faithless Israel, Unfaithful Judah? (08/18/2017); Thoughts on Sexual Relationships (03/07/2017); Law Requires Genuine Righteousness (07/28/2016); Incest? (10/29/2015); Blessing and Inheritance from Abraham? (06/05/2014); On Christians Executing Judgment (06/06/2014); The Root of Jesse (01/03/2013); Newness of Spirit? (01/04/2013)
“Father Dickinson”, when responding to youth in Bible study and other groups within the community of faith, the safest course is to stick to the daily/weekly lesson book with its guides for teachers and other church workers. An agreement should be in place that caretakers and teachers will refer children to their own parents for answers at home when responses to their many concerns and questions are not already agreed upon and set by the curriculum. Given the primary focus and intent of church school studies are to establish the revelation of GOD through Jesus Christ, there are many points that could have been shared that would have been useful, and far less awkward for you. Consider the following points:
(1.) The laws regarding marriage as a social institution and codes of sexual behavior under the management of mankind were still developing. Certainly, the cautions and prohibitions we practice today were not in place; and the detailed laws through the covenant of Moses were yet to become established.
(2.) Initially, Levirate marriage was used as a device to preserve tribal identity, cultural purity, sanctification (i.e., being set apart for use by GOD), and family stability among people who were essentially nomads defined by their association with one another, not their location, the property they owned, or territory on the earth.
(3.) The denial of Tamar by Judah, as the head of a tribe of Jacob, to be properly acknowledged in marriage with his son was a violation of covenant law and promise. The familial blessings and the priesthood bestowed by GOD to be the inheritance among the 12 sons of Jacob would be become shifted to no longer be on the basis of birth order. Reuben would lose place to Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh blessed at his death by Jacob), Joseph would lose place to Judah (blessed at his death by Moses), and Levi would have no inheritance as his brothers.
There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Judah surrendered the emblems of lawful authority over the tribe bearing his name to Tamar. The first acknowledgment of fault and sin recorded in the holy writings was made by Judah who did not continue in error, and acknowledged that the righteousness of Tamar as greater than his own. She became the mother of twins, and her sons then became the forbearers of Messiah.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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