But as they were taking her out to kill her, she sent this message to her father-in-law: “The man who owns these things made me pregnant. Look closely. Whose seal and cord and walking stick are these?”

Genesis 38:25

For Meditation

If anybody ever felt confident in a courtroom, it was Tamar. She was a loner in this matter. The evidence was against her. Regardless, she remained confident. She rather pitied her father-in-law sitting as judge over her. 

Everybody in town respects Judah as a man of integrity. Adullam has recognized him for his wisdom and counseling skills. He will therefore do right with this case. Tamar was guilty and deserved death. No one, and I mean, not a single person, expected the bombshell that was coming.

“Can I say something before you roast me in that fire, please?” 

The place went dead quiet. Tamar quickly rummaged through her baggy widow’s robe and brought out her treasured evidence.

“Since I am going to die for this pregnancy, I believe it is only proper to disclose the father of the baby I am carrying,” Tamar said, looking straight into the eyes of the judge. Judah shifted uncomfortably. He had seen that look before in his compound when his two boys were alive. What trick does she have up her sleeve this time? 

I know how that feels. When you have done an outrageous thing, and the protective covers are slowly coming off, you sense the danger.  

I was in my final year in senior high school. Our Housemaster had a big hen that was brooding over about twelve eggs under his staircase. It was evening, and we were returning to the dormitory from our evening studies. Every student was there, as our Housemaster addressed them. I could hear the pain in his voice. Someone had stolen his hen and left the eggs. My friend looked at me with a sinister smile. I quickly yanked him from there before he could expose me. Haunted by my sin, you can call it. You can understand why I cherish Christ for saving me.

Judah is in the same hot seat now, and what can he do.

Tamar handed the three revealing defense exhibits to Hirah, the prosecutor, for Judge Judah. 

“I am pregnant by the man who owns these,” she said. And she added, “See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are” (25).

Judah turned red all over. Hirah hurriedly handed the items to Judah, sneaked through the crowd, and vanished. Tamar firmly maintained her gaze in the face of her father-in-law. What else could Judah do but confess?

“She is more righteous than I since I wouldn’t give her to my son Shelah” (26). 

And that is what God is looking for when we sin – confession and genuine repentance. 

“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy: (Prov. 28:13). “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn. 1:9).