After selling his own brother into slavery Judah could not live with his father anymore. He left the covenant calling and moved to Canaan. There he met and married a woman—the daughter of a man named Shua. She bore Judah three sons. Judah found a wife for his oldest son, a woman named Tamar. Judah’s first son was so wicked that the Lord put him to death. He gave his second son to Tamar to provide a child for her, but he also was wicked, and the Lord put him to death. Judah sent his daughter-in-law back to live with her father, promising his third son to her—but he reneged on his promise.

When Tamar saw this, she designed an elaborate scheme. She wanted to bear a child in Judah’s line. Her ruse worked, and she became pregnant with Judah’s child. Tamar was determined to fulfill her duty to Judah’s family. When Judah realized what she had done, he was moved by her faithfulness. He returned to his father's house and to God's history. Tamar’s faith illuminates God’s presence and will, where it would not otherwise be visible. God honored her faith in his history.
Application: Lord, you are not always visible. Help me to trust in you and value your presence at all times.
One Word: God honors faith