This week as we finished reading Genesis as a family, I found it is sometimes hard to practice what you preach!
We were reading in Genesis 38 about Judah and his family. When Judah’s oldest son died, his widow Tamar was given to the next son in line to produce an heir for the deceased man. But the Lord put that wicked man to death, as well, because he slept with Tamar but took measures to prevent her from getting pregnant. When Judah refused to give Tamar his third son, as was the custom, she resorted to prostitution. In order to prolong her first husband’s line, she tricked her father-in-law Judah into sleeping with her.
My husband doesn’t enjoy reading aloud, so frequently I am the reader. As I was coming to this passage, I was suddenly struck with a case of the giggles. I could not bring myself to read some of those words aloud! My children were wondering what was going on….why wouldn’t mommy finish reading the story?
I asked my husband, “Couldn’t we just skip this ONE passage?” but he smiled, took the Bible from my hands, and completed the reading, unabridged. The parts that were so awkward for me to read were an important part of the text.
As it happens, we will come across the names Judah and Tamar again, in Matthew 1:3, when we read their names in the record of Jesus’ genealogy.
“Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:5
I KNOW what you mean! awkward! 😉 We also read everything and read right through. When had a pastor with grown children stay with us, we asked him what he did with his kids. He said there was no better way/place to bring these things up than around the table. Usually the kids were too embarrassed (if they understood) to make a big issue of it, but he was always sure to answer any questions they had. This feels strange to me, but my Beloved doesn’t struggle as much as I do 🙂
I listened to your anger talk about 30% and would like to finish it one of these days.
Amy
Trujillo, Peru
http://homeschoolblogger.com/amada
I agree, Amy. In the next issue of Mentoring Moments for Christian Women, several ladies have written articles about having “The Talk” with their kids. My article is about how we try to share information in a natural way as it comes up, rather than in a big dose. Our Bible reading is often one of those natural times!
TeeHee. I hear you.
I know what you mean!!! My oldest son is going to move up into the youth class next year at church, and my husband does not sugar-coat or side step any hard passages (or embarassing ones either) with the youth so we are having to deal with that transition from feel-good devotionals, kiddie Bibles and paraphrases.
I’d be inclined to leave that chapter for later, but agreed difficult passages have to be faced sometime!
Susan in Va (SHS)
I have always found this story interesting. Tamar IS listed in Jesus genealogy. I also find it interesting that Tamar’s twins are not tribes of Israel. We don’t get any more of the story. I’ve often wondered what happened to Tamar and her children.
I kind’a found it interesting that Judah would visit a “woman of the night” in the first place.
There are many fascinating parts of this story and it’s only a small part of our Scripture.
Jennifer in IL
I think that its good to face those difficult passages just as your husband has done. Great post.