" A Family of Freedom Fighters"

The story of Tamar is one of great scarafice and purpose, though any means necessary. Tamar was a direct decendent of Noah, and family of great pride and purpose. She was given up for marriage to the son of Judah, Er. Together they lived for awhile yet Tamar remained barren, this was often seen as a punishment from God. However God found Er displeasing and took Er's life away. Judah then told his next eldest son Onan to go forth and have relations with Tamar so that his brother's name may carry on. Onan was not up for this idea because he knew the child would not be considered his own. So Onan defived his father's orders and Tamar remained bareen. God found Onan's actions to be displeasing. God then took Onan's life. Judah then told Tamar to go live in her father's house as a widow until his youngest son was of age. A long time passd and no sign of the youngest brother Shelah was seen. Word passed to Tamar that Judah would be passing her way on his way to Timnah. Tamer then took off her widow's garments and pput a veil over herself. She met Judah on his way and had realtions with him; Judah not knowing that this was his daughter-in-law. After their relations Tamar asked for some type of pledge that would gurantee their child's place in the family. Judah gave his seal, staff, and belt to her. Time passed and Tamar became noticeably pregnent. Word reached Judah that his daughter-in-law had become pregnent. He charged that she be burned for her crime of un-chastity. When she was brought before Judah she presented him with the tokens he had given her when they had their realtions. Judah was dumb-founded and gave into his pregent daughter-in-law. She gave birth to twin sons, Zaragand Pharez, giving her a place in the family and an inheritence to her children.

By including Tamar in Jesus' geneology, Matthew is attemping to show us a key message in Christ's teachings. This is that no matter how down and out times may seem, God will always fulfill his promise to bring life to the Jewish people for generations and generations, no matter how steep the odds may be. Also, it is a story of love and devotion to our loved ones and their legacy. Tamar not only wanted children to love and cherish, but she also wanted a piece of her husband that could grow and thirve in the world. It was her devotion that pushed her through, much like the devotion of love Jesus taught. It also, like Jesus, teaches us that we must sometimes put ourselves and what we believe in on the line to get what is right done. Although the means by which Tamar had to secure herself and her family's well being may seem odd and not like the teaching of Christ, they still have a foundation of love and devotion, two of the main callings of Jesus. Another aspect to look at is that Jesus did not simply come up with his teachings all on his own, he used family stories and experiences to move forward in his life's mission.