When their sons were grown, Judah arranged for Er, his oldest son, to marry a girl named Tamar. But Er had become so wicked in the sight of YAHWEH that YAHWEH ended his life. Then Judah said to Er’s brother Onan, “Your duty is to join yourself to her. Go perform your duty as a brother-in-law and provide an heir for your brother.” Onan, however, did not want to produce a child that would not be his own rightful heir, so whenever he and Tamar had intercourse, he purposely spilled his semen onto the ground to keep her from getting pregnant and having a child that would belong to his dead brother. But what he did was wicked in YAHWEH’s sight, so he took Onan’s life also. Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s house until my youngest son Shelah grows up.” So Tamar went home to her parents, but Judah worried that Shelah would end up dead like his brothers. After some time passed, Judah’s wife, the daughter of Shua, died. When his time of mourning was over, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite went to Timnah to enjoy the festivities at the sheep-shearing. Meanwhile, Tamar had learned that Shelah had grown up, but Judah had still not given him to her to father a child for her deceased husband. So, when Tamar found out her father-in-law was coming to Timnah for the sheep-shearing, she removed her widow’s clothes and covered herself with a veil to disguise herself. And she sat waiting at the crossroads where Judah would have to pass by. When Judah saw her, she was wearing a veil over her face, so he thought she was a prostitute. He had no clue that she was his own daughter-in-law. So he approached her and said, “Come sleep with me.” “What will you give me if I do?” she answered.
Read Genesis 38
Share
Compare All Versions: Genesis 38:6-16
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
