Good morning,
“10 women in the Bible who exceeded expectations.
Immediately we can think of women in the Bible like Mary, Eve, Sarah, Miriam, Esther, Ruth, Naomi, Deborah, and Mary Magdalene. But there are others that have only a small appearance in the Bible, some as few as one verse.
While plenty of women in the Bible were strong, capable women, these ladies didn’t sit around waiting for someone else to get the job done. They feared God and lived faithfully. They did what they needed to do.” (Kate Edwards is a School Chaplain, Kid’s Ministry Leader and aspiring Bible Scholar. http://www.thenurturedword.com/)
For the next two weeks we will look at some of the lesser known women in the Bible. They will challenge us in our walk with the Lord.
3. Tamar
“Tamar was left childless and dependent on the hospitality of her father-in-law, Judah, but he abandoned his responsibility to provide her a son to continue the family line. He agreed to have his youngest son marry her, but he never kept his promise. So Tamar dressed as a prostitute, slept with her father-in-law (he did not recognize her), and conceived a son by him.
It sounds strange to us today, but in that culture Tamar had more honor than Judah, because she did what needed to continue the family line—the line that lead to Jesus. Her story is found in the middle of Joseph’s story in Genesis 38.”
Tamar in the Bible – Genesis 38:1-30
“It happened at that time that Judah went down from his brothers and turned aside to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. There Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shu. He took her and went in to her, and she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er. She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan. Yet again she bore a son, and she called his name Shelah. Judah was in Chezib when she bore him…”
How she exceeded expectations:
“People would have expected Tamar to accept defeat, but instead she stood up for herself. Though it may seem like an odd way to do it, she earned the respect of her father-in-law and continued the family line. Upon realizing what had happened, Judah acknowledged his guilt in keeping his youngest son from Tamar. His acknowledgement not only justified Tamar’s unconventional conduct, but it also marked a turning point in his own life. Tamar’s son, Perez, is the ancestor of the royal line of David mentioned in Ruth 4:18-22.” (Kate Edwards is a School Chaplain, Kid’s Ministry Leader and aspiring Bible Scholar. http://www.thenurturedword.com/)
Tamar and Judah bore twin boys named Perez and Zerah. Ironically, out of Perez’s line, both King David and later Jesus Christ, the Messiah, were born (Matthew 1:3). This is testament to God’s prevailing mercy. For even the most flawed and sinful of men can be used and blessed by God, not because of their merit, but because of His grace and the power of repentance.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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