Hypocritical Condemnation – Judah and Tamar (1/25)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Genesis 38-40.

Genesis 38 is a tragedy caused by the moral bankruptcy of the individuals involved. First Judah’s son Er was killed for his wickedness (Genesis 38:7). With his widow Tamar left childless, the responsibility fell to his brother Onan to have children with her. He forsook this responsibility and was killed (Genesis 38:8-10). Then Judah told Tamar to remain unmarried until the third son, Shelah, was old enough to marry her (Genesis 38:11).

However, Judah did not honor his promise. So Tamar decided to trick her father-in-law, pose as a harlot, and commit fornication with him. In the process she conceived (Genesis 38:12-18). Eventually, her sin would be obvious.

Now it was about three months later that Judah was informed, ‘Your daughter-in-law Tamar has played the harlot, and behold, she is also with child by harlotry.’ Then Judah said, ‘Bring her out and let her be burned!’ It was while she was being brought out that she sent to her father-in-law, saying, ‘I am with child by the man to whom these things belong.’ And she said, ‘Please examine and see, whose signet ring and cords and staff are these?’” (Genesis 38:24-25).

Tamar produced the evidence showing that Judah was the one who had committed fornication with her. Yet here he was calling for her death for the sin they both committed.

Judah recognized them, and said, ‘She is more righteous than I…’” (Genesis 38:26).

Judah finally admitted his hypocrisy. How could he condemn her when he was guilty for the same sin?

Some people use examples like this to argue that we should not condemn or rebuke sin. That is not the point at all. Tamar sinned. Therefore, she stood condemned. But so did Judah.

Rather than ignoring the sins of others, the lesson is that we must stop ignoring our own sins! If you sin, repent. Then, you will be in a position to help others deal with their sins (cf. Matthew 7:1-5).

Tomorrow’s reading: Genesis 41-42

[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]


Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.


.