Tamar, Daughter-in-Law of Judah

Her name means "Date Tree" or "Palm Tree"

One of the most important factors in the story of this week’s WOB was the meaning of prostitution during those times, which seems to have had a much different connotation than it does today.

Disguising herself as a prostitute was a great way for Tamar to obtain her goal. God showed his hand in this story when Tamar asked Judah for several items in payment of her services. While Judah kept his word in regard to the goat, had Tamar not asked Judah for the seal and the other items, Judah wouldn’t have know that it was he who left those items with the prostitute. While Judah and Tamar both had different motives, it is apparent that God’s motive prevailed in this story.

Below are some questions to ponder. Feel free to answer one or all of the questions. Additional comments are also welcomed.

1. None of the men in Tamar’s life fulfilled their responsibilities to her, including her father-in-law, Judah (38:11). Describe how you think Tamar must have been feeling through out the course of these events. Angry? Ignored? Dishonored? Belittled? Ashamed?

2. Why was Tamar so desperate to have a child?

3. What do you think of Judah’s response to the news that Tamar was pregnant (38:24)? Was it a double standard for him to condemn her actions but not his own?

4. When you consider what Tamar did in offering herself disguised as a prostitute to her father-in-law, do his words in verse 26 surprise you? Why? Explain what Judah meant by these words.

5, What dies Tamar’s inclusion in the lineage of Christ tell you about God’s power to bring good out of tragic events?

6. How has God worked good out of the bad things that have happened to you or to someone you know?