Someone told Tamar, “Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.” Tamar was aware that Shelah had grown up, but no arrangements had been made for her to come and marry him. So she changed out of her widow’s clothing and covered herself with a veil to disguise herself. Then she sat beside the road at the entrance to the village of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. Judah noticed her and thought she was a prostitute, since she had covered her face. So he stopped and propositioned her. “Let me have sex with you,” he said, not realizing that she was his own daughter-in-law. “How much will you pay to have sex with me?” Tamar asked. “I’ll send you a young goat from my flock,” Judah promised. “But what will you give me to guarantee that you will send the goat?” she asked. “What kind of guarantee do you want?” he replied. She answered, “Leave me your identification seal and its cord and the walking stick you are carrying.” So Judah gave them to her. Then he had intercourse with her, and she became pregnant. Afterward she went back home, took off her veil, and put on her widow’s clothing as usual. Later Judah asked his friend Hirah the Adullamite to take the young goat to the woman and to pick up the things he had given her as his guarantee. But Hirah couldn’t find her. So he asked the men who lived there, “Where can I find the shrine prostitute who was sitting beside the road at the entrance to Enaim?” “We’ve never had a shrine prostitute here,” they replied. So Hirah returned to Judah and told him, “I couldn’t find her anywhere, and the men of the village claim they’ve never had a shrine prostitute there.” “Then let her keep the things I gave her,” Judah said. “I sent the young goat as we agreed, but you couldn’t find her. We’d be the laughingstock of the village if we went back again to look for her.” About three months later, Judah was told, “Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has acted like a prostitute. And now, because of this, she’s pregnant.” “Bring her out, and let her be burned!” Judah demanded.
Read Genesis 38
Listen to Genesis 38
Share
Compare All Versions: Genesis 38:13-24
4 Days
Tamar was traumatized, abused, rejected, and she committed incest. Yet, God saw it fit to have her in Jesus’ lineage. As one who speaks to the intergenerational transmission of trauma, Temi Michael-O shares the story of Tamar through the lens of trauma and the redemptive power of grace. This four- day plan reminds us that we matter to God and God is not ashamed of our story.
5 Days
Women bring the present at Christmas. They cook, buy gifts, create crafts, plan parties, coordinate outfits….make MAGIC, and this year will be no different. This devotional is a walk through a few of the women involved in the family line of Christ and his birth. These women faced a myriad of obstacles, but in the end, they brought the most beautiful gift to the world--the presence of Jesus Christ.
6 Days
Step into the fullness of who God created you to be. Virtuous: A Step into the woman God created you to be. Virtuous is a detailed, in-depth 7-day devotional designed to lead you through key themes of spiritual growth, wholeness, alignment with God’s will, worthiness, overcoming fear, wisdom vs. foolishness, and becoming a Proverbs 31 woman. Each day features deep, Scripture-based readings and thoughtful reflection to help you grow in faith, character, and purpose. This plan will guide you toward living with clarity, strength, and virtue, rooted in your identity in Christ.
7 days
Everyone grapples with insecurities. Whether you’re jaded from past trauma, a present heartache, or a persistent feeling of rejection, self-doubt doesn’t have to narrate your story. Historically, God has always transformed those who feel the most inadequate into effective leaders, healers, and change agents. Start this reading plan to uncover how God uses “flawed” individuals to illustrate that there is more in you than your history!
Save verses, read offline, watch teaching clips, and more!
Home
Bible
Plans
Videos
Bible App
Bible App for Kids
