TUESDAY, MAY 15
Scripture: Genesis 28:12-27

Jacob determined that he would not provide another son to marry Tamar, though this was the cultural prescription. He had already lost two sons and was determined not to lose a third. But Tamar did something unique. She took off her widow’s garments, dressed up, covered her face and dressed like a prostitute. Her father-in-law Judah hired her. She became pregnant through this one encounter. Before long it was told to Judah that his unmarried daughter-in-law was pregnant. When she was brought before Judah to be judged and punished, his pronouncement was, “…let her be burned.” She revealed that the one whose belongings she held was the one by whom she is pregnant. And Judah recognizes his own belongings in her hand and admitted his own guilt. Verse 26 says, “So Judah acknowledged them and said, ‘she has been more righteous than I, because I did not give her to Shelah my son.’ And he never knew her again. Now it came to pass, at the time for giving birth, that behold, twins were in her womb.” It poses the question, where was God for Tamar? The Bible is not silent about that issue – God vindicated Tamar!