EP. 53 | GENESIS 38 | The Story of the Gospel: Tamar—Small Faithfulness, Big Impact

Do you ever feel like your impact in the world seems small and insignificant? If so, this meditation is right for you! Tamar was faithful in one thing, but never saw the big impact in her lifetime—yet one day it came.

Her story can help us trust in God's power to take our lives and use them for His glory—even in generations to come.

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Transcript

 This podcast is made possible through your support. For the cost of a cup of coffee, you can help others drink in scripture, reflect, and pray. Visit BuyMeACoffee. com/WellSoulPodcast today. 

Welcome to the WellSoul Podcast, where we pause to drink in scripture, reflect, and pray. I am your host, Seana Scott, and sometimes life leaves our souls feeling parched.

So come to the well of living water that never runs dry.

Today's episode will pause the progression of our timeline in our Story of the Gospel series, and we will consider what seems to be an out of place story about a woman by the name of Tamar. But let us remember, nothing is out of place in God's story, and her faithfulness becomes a significant part in the story of the gospel.

Last week we meditated on the Exodus, but before that, when Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery, Judah then married a Canaanite woman, and she gave birth to three sons. Tamar married the firstborn son, Ur, but he was evil in the sight of the Lord. And God put him to death. Then Ur's brother Onan was called upon to carry on his brother's line by sleeping with Tamar.

But he was also evil, spilling his seed on the ground because he didn't want to give a son to his brother's line. So he also died. Then Judah did not want to give his final son to Tamar to produce an heir, and he tells her to go live in his father's household as a widow. until his youngest is old enough.

But Judah never brings his son as promised. Later, when Tamar hears that Judah is going through a certain place, she presents herself as a prostitute. Along his way, Judah goes into her and, instead of paying her, leaves a pledge with her for a payment. His seal, cord, and staff. But when Judah tries to get his belongings back by sending a goat as a payment.

There is no prostitute there. In fact, there are no shrine prostitutes in that area. This is where we will drink in scripture today.

Before I read, take a deep breath and pray for the Holy Spirit. spirit to speak to you through God's word.

Come Holy Spirit. Come. Genesis 38. 24 26 About three months later, Judah was told, Your daughter in law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now dead. pregnant. Judas said, bring her out and have her burned to death. As she was being brought out, she sent a message to her father in law. I am pregnant by the man who owns these, she said.

And she added, see if you recognize whose seal cord and staff these are Judah recognized them and said she is more righteous than i since i wouldn't give her my son sheila and he did not sleep with her again

What thought did the holy spirit bring to mind? sit with this for a moment.

tamar was seen as It's more righteous than Judah because she did what was right, even at the risk of her very life. She could have been killed for the appearance of infidelity, but Judah showed righteousness as well when he humbly repented and showed her righteousness. Later in Genesis 49 10, Jacob blesses Judah at his deathbed and says that the scepter, the rulership of Israel.

We'll never depart from him. We see that fulfilled in Jesus, the everlasting King that comes through the line of Judah and Tamar. You see, God can do big things with our seemingly small. Faithfulness. We just might not see it all in our lifetime. Today, we have two prompts for prayer. First, invite the Holy Spirit to show you what he might be leading you in to be more faithful.

What is it you might need to do?

Next, spend a moment asking God for forgiveness for the times where you lack faithfulness and righteousness. And then simply sit in his grace, forgiveness, and love for you.

Let's pray. Let's pray. Father, Son, Holy Spirit, one and only true God, we worship you. Thank you, Lord, for the story of Tamar that shows us that when we are faithful, Even at personal risk, you see our faithfulness and you can use it for great things, even if we don't see the result in our lifetime, help us God to be faithful, no matter what in our jobs, in our families, and in how we obey you and everything.

We love you, God, and we worship you. Amen. Thank you for joining me today on the WellSoul Podcast for our story of the gospel journey. You can subscribe to the WellSoul and receive weekly devotions, encouragement, and resources directly in your inbox. Join us at the link in the show notes. We also invite you to help with the production costs of the podcast by visiting buymeacoffee.

com backslash WellSoulPodcast. For the cost of a cup of coffee, you can help others drink in scripture, reflect, and pray. Visit buymeacoffee. com backslash WellSoulPodcast today. In closing, I remember my late friend, Brian Vasquez, who made this podcast possible. God bless you and I pray that you have a well soul.