FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12
Scripture: Genesis 38:11-30

Judah only had one remaining son. His daughter-in-law Tamar was pressing him to be wed to his third son so that an heir to Er, his first-born, could come as was the Jewish custom. Judah said to Tamar, “‘Remain a widow in your father’s house till my son Shelah is grown.’ For he said, ‘Lest he also die like his brothers.’ And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.” Now the plot thickens because Judah never intended to give his youngest son to Tamar. Tamar devised a plan. This chapter goes on to say, “So she took off her widow’s garments, covered herself with a veil and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place which was on the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given to him as a wife. When Judah saw her, (after his wife died) he thought she was a harlot, because she had covered her face. Then he turned to her by the way, and said, ‘Please let me come in to you’; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law.” Tamar asked for a pledge and he gave her his signet, his cord and his staff with the intent that Judah would later exchange a young goat for his belongings. When Judah attempted to make payment, the harlot was nowhere to be found. Three months passed and Judah got a report that Tamar his daughter-in-law had played the harlot and was now pregnant. Judah was ready to bring full judgment to her and declared she was to be burned to death. We are told in verses 24-28, “And it came to pass, about three months after, that Judah was told, saying, ‘Tamar your daughter-in-law has played the harlot; furthermore she is with child by harlotry.’ So Judah said, ‘Bring her out and let her be burned!’ When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, ‘By the man to whom these belong, I am with child.’ And she said, ‘Please determine whose these are—the signet and cord, and staff.’ 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.” What is amazing about this is the Scripture records that Tamar gave birth to twins. The Word goes on to say, “Now it came to pass, at the time for giving birth, that behold, twins were in her womb. And so it was, when she was giving birth, that the one put out his hand; and the midwife took a scarlet thread and bound it on his hand, saying, ‘This one came out first.’ Then it happened, as he drew back his hand, that his brother came out unexpectedly; and she said, ‘How did you break through? This breach be upon you!’ Therefore his name was Perez. Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand. And his name was called Zerah.” One was named Perez and the other was named Zerah. Tamar gave birth to two boys. One of those twins was to be in the direct lineage of Jesus. We are told in Matthew 1:3, “Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram.” This is an incredible account of more than one failure of the patriarch Judah. Why did God choose men who were this flawed to be in the lineage to bring forth His Own Son? Here is a child of incest that is part of Christ’s holy heritage. Is there is a message for us here? When He declares us blameless by the Blood of Christ, faultless, spotless and flawless, we need to believe it! In order for us to bring forth God’s will and purpose in the last days, we have to be fearless, and we can’t be fearless for God if we don’t know that we are blameless before God. Our Sonship gifts can help us stand victorious in this hour with supernatural confidence. Understanding our blamelessness is a key!