This situation is really messed up. Two of Judah's sons die when they sequentially marry the same woman. The sons really die because they are so evil, but Judah connects the cause of death to this woman. So Judah prevents his last son from marrying the widow, but winds up sleeping with her himself, thinking she is a prostitute. She has kids through this ordeal and Judah realizes his own sinfulness.
This account seems to be an interruption in the life of Joseph, but it shows us the story of the seed that will eventually go through to Jesus. Matthew makes special note of this whole affair in his genealogy.
Judah [was] the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar (Matthew 1:3a)
When I look at this passage, I see God's faithfulness in spite of difficult situations. While there is quite a bit in this passage that makes a 21st century American feel uneasy, God's goodness, faithfulness, and sovereignty give comfort.
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