Have you always read the instructions on how to put something together, I mean, come one, if you buy a new desk chair, you know what it is supposed to look like. Why even bother reading the instructions. Right?

The same thing happens with the genealogies in the Bible. People usually skip over them. We know that people give birth to people…So, what is the point in reading them? Well, not so fast. if God put them there, it is for a reason. The same thing happens with our bible passage for today. It is just a bunch of names. But, if we dive deeper and trace these names back and read about these people, we may find some interesting things about them. And who were they by the way? Were they princesses, priests, prestigious monarchs? No, some were not that important at all. Let’s look at Perez. Who is this guy? In Genesis 38, we find who he is. He is the son of Judah by Tamar. Now, Tamar was Judah’s daughter in l aw. Yes… she was. If we recall, Judah l eft his father’s house, Jacob, and went to visit Hirah, the Adullamite. There, he met a Canaanite woman named Shua. He married her and had 3 kids. They were Er, Onan and Shelah. Judah found a wife for Er. But Er, was evil in the sight of the Lord and the Lord took his life. In those times, a widow with no kids, was pretty much destitute. So, as it was the custom, Judah gave her the next son in line to marry her. The purpose of this marriage was to raise a child on behalf of the deceased brother. But Onan used Tamar just for his own satisfaction. So, the Lord took his life as well. Then, Judah was afraid to give to Tamar, his last son Shelah. So, Judah said to Tamar, go to your father’s house and wait there until Shelah is old enough to marry you. And she did. She waited several years for him and kept herself pure. But time kept going by and Judah did not fulfill his promise to redeem her. One day, Tamar l earned that her father-in-law was coming to her town. By this time, Judah was also a widower. Tamar, removed her widow’s tunic and veiled her face and encountered Judah. Judah did not recognize her and confused her for a prostitute. They had an encounter and Judah left, living behind his staff and seal as a guarantee of payment. Later, Judah l earned that Tamar was pregnant. Judah thought that Tamar had stopped waiting for his son to marry her and had gone with other men. So Judah sent for her, so she could be burned. But Tamar confronted Judah and showed him his stuff and seal. Then he admitted his guilt and recognized the righteousness in her deed. Tamar had twins and Perez was the first born. Tamar was finally redeemed.

The same thing happened to Ruth. She was a widow who followed her mother-in-law, Naomi, back to Israel. After a lot of hardship, she met her kinsman redeemer, Boaz, and they got married. They had a son whom they named Obed. Obed was the grandfather of king David. Naomi and Ruth were redeemed! This is Jesus’ genealogy. The ultimate Redeemer of mankind! His family line is full of imperfect people. And He chose them! The same way He chose you and me. Jesus redeems us when we open our heart and invite Him in our lives.

Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Tamar and Ruth persevered during their hardships and never lost hope. How do you handle your trials and tribulations?
2. Have you put your trust in the Redeemer?

Missions Prayer
Pray for short term global worker Lynna, as she completes training and begins to serve in an unreached area of Europe/Central Asia this summer. Pray for wisdom, protection, guidance, and Kingdom impact. Pray for the gospel to gain ground this summer in Central Asia.