Then Judah said, “Let her keep what she has, or we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you didn’t find her.”

Genesis 38:23

For Meditation

If only he knew!

The common saying renders it, “Had I known.” It is an expression of regret after a severe decision failure. I have said it many times in my life, and I am sure you have your “If only I knew” stories too. Some may be too delicate to disclose. Many people have died with their tales, while many are still living them. I cannot tell you why we continue to make those ridiculous decisions, but maybe Judah’s story could instruct us to be wiser.

The news broke amazingly fast. It had been three months since the ‘shrine prostitute’ had disappeared with Judah’s valuable items he put up as security for his moments’ pleasure with the woman. His dismissing statement to Hirah at that time was prophetic, yet he did not know.

“Let her keep what she has, or we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you didn’t find her” (Gen. 38:23). [Emphasis mine].

The sound at the gate is ear-shattering. 

“I told you that woman is a curse on your family, old boy. See why I told you not to give her to Shelah to marry. Now she is pregnant, and the whole town is abuzz with speculation,” Hirah told Judah. 

Now, don’t move too fast here. The same Hirah, who led Judah on in that terrible decision to engage in illicit sex on the road to Timnah, has now become the talebearer of its consequence, which is soon to break out. Solomon was right. “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin” (Prov. 18:24).

The local court quickly convenes. They drag Tamar before it with lots of boos and woos from the crowd. Prince Judah, the high priest, takes the presiding judge’s seat, with Hirah as the prosecutor. The case is an easy one. The accused is a woman, and she does not have equal rights with men in this culture. So, her defense in this matter has little value. The unfortunate thing is the condemning shouts from the women in the courtroom. But isn’t that the story of women in our society today too? Though better than then, women must prove themselves multiple times more than men in any discussion. May God help us!

“Guilty on all counts! Roast her in the fire until her bones turn into ashes!” Judah bangs the gavel so hard that it breaks.

It is so easy to condemn when you sit in the high moral chair on a case. And this case is too early in history for Jesus to be Tamar’s Defense Attorney. “Let anyone of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (Jn. 8:7).