Judah’s Fornication – Genesis 38:12-19
- Since Tamar was not allowed to marry outside Judah’s family, and Judah would not allow Shelah to marry her, Tamar deceived Judah into having sexual relations with her, and she conceived with twin sons.
- Tamar presented herself to Judah as a prostitute and demanded a “pledge” be given to her until she received the payment for services Judah had promised.
- Judah gave her his seal – a ring, his cord, and his staff.
- Both Judah and Tamar were wrong, but in God’s sovereignty, a man-child was born from the lineage of Judah through whom the Messiah would be born.