Judah then said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s household until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, just like his brothers.” So, Tamar went to live in her father’s household.

Genesis 38:11

For Meditation

The man had it together too. Very rapidly, Judah had three children by the daughter of Shua, the Canaanite – Er, Onan, Shelah. Even though we walk away from God sometimes, His covenant love does not cease for us. God never leaves nor forsakes us (Heb. 13:5). It is our intimacy with Him that suffers. Hence, away from his covenant family and living among the heathen, God still concerned himself with Judah’s family affairs. When Er and Onan walked wickedly in the sight of God, He took their lives (6-10). They had assimilated the Canaanite culture, and that displeased God. Judah was not going to take any chances with Shelah when God put Onan to death.

Judah then said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s household until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, just like his brothers.” So, Tamar went to live in her father’s household (11).

“Now, stop right there, Judah! Are you sure you intend to honor your word to Tamar, your twice-widowed daughter-in-law?”

No matter how we slice it, it was a deception and a lie, and God hates it (Prov. 6:16-18). That was misstep number three, and one more step away from a close fellowship with God.

In our day, people call it a white lie, as if that makes it any less sinful. Some rationalize it as a matter of convenience and acceptable to God. “God understands,” they say.

No! God does not understand why, as His child, you have chosen to speak the language of the devil (Jn. 8:44). Consider the sound of it this way, and you may agree with the Holy Spirit, how vile and offensive every form of lying is to God. In the kingdom of God, the end does not justify the means. Our motive is foundational to everything we do, and it is the basis for the judgment of our works before God.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Heb. 4:12-13).

Judah had devised a wicked scheme in his heart and chosen to lie to Tamar, and he was going to reap the fruit of it.