27 Now when the time came for her to give birth, there were twins in her womb. 28 And when she was in labor, one [baby] put out his hand, and the midwife took his hand and tied a scarlet thread on it, saying, “This one was born first.” 29 But he pulled back his hand, and his brother was born first. And she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself [to be the firstborn]!” So he was named Perez (breach, break forth). 30 Afterward his brother who had the scarlet [thread] on his hand was born and was named Zerah (brightness).

Genesis 38:27-30 (AMP)

Twins again

Continuing from yesterday…the “her” here refers to Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, who posed as a prostitute to get pregnant and have a son. Sons were very important in that culture – as they are even today in some cultures. 

So the prostitute indeed gets pregnant, and by her father-in-law, Judah. “This is a wonderful example of grace. God chose them, despite their works, to both be in the line of the Messiah and to have their role in God’s plan of redemption.” (enduringword.com)

Judah, we know, is the son of Jacob, who himself is a twin (with Esau). So now we get twins again in the line of Messiah.

Fight for first

What a delivery! The babies seem to be fighting to see who can get out first. Zerah gets his arm out but pulls it back in – maybe to fight off Perez. Perez gets the upper hand (so to speak) and makes it down the shoot first. He becomes the first-born and gains all the benefits. These are the same benefits that his grandfather, Jacob, along with his mom, had deceived Esau and Isaac for. 

Comparing Judah and Joseph

“Judah’s hedonistic willfulness, in this chapter, contrasts with Joseph’s self-control in sexual temptation in the next. Here, promiscuous Judah grasps Tamar’s seductive offer, and enlarges his family. Later, chaste Joseph resists Potiphar’s wife’s seductive offer, and ends his career (temporarily) in prison.” (planobiblechapel.org)

RЯeflection

• Let’s give God thanks for His grace. He reveals it in His Word through historical accounts of real people like this. He also reveals it to us in our daily lives. Take a moment to think of a grace you have received and give thanks.