NIV Once-A-Day Bible for WomenSample

Genesis 38:1–10 Ancient Middle Eastern women were regarded as being under the care of a father, a husband or a grown son at all times in their lives. If a woman was widowed before having a male child, her security was threatened. Hebrew culture and later Biblical law protected young widows by requiring a male relative of her husband to marry her and give her an heir. An heir would preserve her inheritance and provide for her needs as she grew old. When Judah and his sons avoided this responsibility for Tamar, God was displeased. This practice seems strange to us, but the story of Tamar reveals something about God’s character. Deuteronomy 10:18 and Psalm 68:5 (among other Scripture passages) describe God as a defender of widows and orphans. It’s his nature to stand up on behalf of those who have no one else to take care of them. We never need to worry about being completely alone; God is with us.