Restoration

By Venessa Holtzhausen

Gen 38:18 “What kind of pledge shall I give you?” he asked. “Your seal, and your cord, and your staff in your hand,” she said. So he gave them to her and he slept with her, and she got pregnant by him.

Tamar which means date palm, was married to two of the sons of Judah. It was the custom (levirate marriage) that the surviving brother-in-law marries the childless widow. The eldest son of such a marriage inherited the name and property of the deceased. It was beneficial for the wife as
well, since her eldest son would have the double blessing and of course she would be taken care off.

The brother who married Tamar knew this very well, that the child would not be his own, but the heir of a double portion and so he did what need be to avoid conception. This angered the Lord extremely, so that He killed him. Then the youngest son remained and we can understand
that Judah thought he will loose this one also, since it looked like Tamar had a thing for dead husbands!!

This woman was wise and righteous. She stood up for what was right and sort of tricked Judah into doing the right thing. She asked however for 3 things: signet, cord and staff. These three were the insignia of a sheik in Canaan, as of a man of rank among the Babylonians and Egyptians. Cord was used to suspend the seal. Just note that this act of Tamar was common in ancient Phoenicia and Babylonia and survives in many forms of Hindu worship no kedeshah (temple harlot) was permitted in Israel.

Tamar also did not go to another man, but one of her own household and allowable according to Torah.

She asked for 3 things. The number three also refers to God as well. A signet ring, cord and staff.

In the following verse of the prodigal son we read also about 3 things the Father put on him:

Luk 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

This verse speaks about restoration. So was Tamar also restored. Whatever you are going through, the Lion out of the tribe of Judah can restore you. Run to him. 

Amen!