Deaf Anthology # 607: "Bible: Tamar"

Ever been to a religious bookstore, they got shelves full of commentaries, one problem, no Deaf writers, so why not I give a shot at it. Would appreciate any feedback.

Genealogy is from a Greek word meaning generation and knowledge, a study of our family history. Jesus linkage goes back to David and Abraham, two important people in our Bible.
Commentary: In Jewish culture, only men are listed in their genealogy so we will know their national and tribal identity. Your surname can indicate your nationality. Our American Indians are from various tribes. In Israel, there are twelve tribes.
Genealogy is listed in both the Gospel of Matthew and Luke.
Note: There are five women listed in the genealogy of Mathew;

Tamar, Rehab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary

1. Tamar
Judah and his brothers was jealous of their younger brother, Joseph, thought about killing him, but instead sold him to slavery. The brothers lied to their father, Jacob, that Joseph died.
Judah left his family and moved to Adullam and married a Canaanite woman. Jewish law forbid marrying anyone outside their nation.

Judah have three sons:

Er

Onan

Shelah

Judah found Tamar as a wife for Er, but he died, so following Jewish tradition, she married his brother Onan. The problem now is that Onan don't want children, because they will belong to Er. Onan also died.

Note: In Jewish tradition, if a man died, the widow must marry his brother, and the first son born will be given the name of the dead brother.

Tamar was told to live with her family until Shalah is old enough to marry.

Application: Here in America, 18 is a legal age when you can marry. In some states, you'll need parental consent, if underage.

Judah's wife died. Tamar became a prostitute because Judah never kept his promise to allow Shelah to marry her.

Judah had sex with Tamar, without knowing who she is. Judah promise to pay her, giving his seal and staff as a pledge.

Application: You can use your car as a pledge (collateral) when taking out a bank loan.

Tamar became pregnant. Judah heard a rumor that his daughter-in-law is a prostitute, and under Jewish law, wanted her put to death as a punishment.

Judah obviously is a hypocrite, confessed his sin when Tamar shown him the evidences, the seal and staff.

Tamar gave birth to twin boys, Perez and Zerah.

Commentary: Tamar is an important Biblical person because she preserved the linkage to Christ from Abraham.
Review:

1. ______ is a study of family history.

2. Genealogy is from a Greek word meaning ______ and ______.

3. Jesus linkage goes back to ______ and ______.

4. Jacob is the father of ______.

5. Judah sold his brother ______ to slavery.

6. Judah and his brothers lied to ______, their father that Joseph died.

7. Judah left his family and moved to ______.

8. Judah had three sons, they are ______, ______, and ______.

9. _____ married El, Judah's oldest son.

10. ______ was too young to marry.

11. Genealogy can be found in the Gospels of ______and ______.

12. Tamar gave birth to twin boys, ______ and ______.

Essay:

Why are Judah three sons not listed in the genealogy of Matthew?

Why is Tamar an important Biblical person?

Quiz:

Who are the five women listed in the genealogy of Matthew?

This is only a first draft, good enough for now, I think!

This is Smokey, stay tuned for the next episode of Deaf Anthology. Good night, Deaf America!