Daily Lectionary | Genesis 38 & John 20
Genesis 38
Summary
Rembrant’s School of Tamar
In Deuteronomy 25:5-10, the brother of the deceased husband is to take his brother’s wife to raise offspring with her. The law was taken seriously within the immediate family, and the brother who refuses to perform the levirate marriage is shamed.
When we come to Genesis 38, this later law provides some perspective on what’s happening. The placement of this chapter might seem odd, an interruption to the story of Joseph. But it's a hinge chapter that connects with the previous and the following chapter.
Previously, Judah deceives Israel with Joseph's coat. In chapter 38, Tamar will deceive Judah. In chapter 38, Tamar will seduce Judah into a sexual encounter. In chapter 39, Joseph will resist a sexual encounter.
Judah takes a Canaanite woman with whom he has children: Er, Onan, and Shelah. Judah arranges a marriage for Er with Tamar. But the Lord kills Er because of his wickedness. Onan, his brother, would’ve had the duty to raise up offspring for his deceased brother’s wife but “whenever he went in to his brother’s wife he would waste the seme on the ground, so as not to give offspring to his brother” (Gen. 38:9). The condemnation here is not on some sexual sin or wasting one’s seed as such. The offense is refusing his familial obligation to his family.
Tamar remains a widom and waits for Shelah, the youngest of his sons, to grow up to marriageable age.
Tamar hears that her father is going up to Timnah, so she devises a plan to disguise herself as a prostitute in order to get her father-in-law to sleep with her. Her plan works. He gives her his signet ring, cord, and staff as a pledge.
Tamar conceives. Judah seeks to get his pledge back from whom he thought was the cult prostitute only to learn there was no cult prostitute there. After Judah discovers Tamar is pregnant, he concludes she has been immoral and must die. But she has the goods on Judah and reveals the ring, cord, and staff. Judah is found out: “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah” (Gen. 38:26).
Once again twins will be born in Genesis. The first one starts to come out, is marked by a red cord, but the second comes out ahead of him. The firstborn’s name was Perez and the second born’s name Zerah.
Reflection Questions
As we’ve seen in Genesis, it’s important to pay attention to how the text evaluates the characters and their actions and not import our own judgments on the text. In what light does the text present the actions of Tamar? Judah?
The theme of the second born replacing the firstborn is prominent in Genesis. What is happening with the birth of Tamar’s twins?
John 20
Summary
On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb “while it was still dark.” The theme of light and darkness that begin the gospel will end the gospel. But that darkness breaks into day at Jesus’ resurrection.
Mary discovers and empty tomb and tells Simon Peter and John who race to the tomb (John lets us know he outran Peter!). They discover what Mary told them and go back home.
Mary is still at the tomb “weeping” and sees two angels in white, one at the head of where Jesus would have been put to rest and one at his feet. We can perhaps see something akin to the the ark of the covenant flanked with Cherubic Angels on either side. They ask why she was weeping, and then she turns around and sees Jesus but doesn’t know it is him she thinks he’s a gardener! Here we have a the New Adam, who actually is the gardner, in a garden, with a woman. The scene evokes Genesis 2.
Jesus repeats the question: “Why are you weeping?” When Jesus says her name she recognizes him and hugs him. Jesus says, though, “Do not cling to me . . .”
Mary was first to announce the empty tomb and now she’s the first to announce the resurrection to the disciples.
The disciples had gathered again behind locked doors and Jesus “came and stood among them and said to to them, ‘Peace be with you.’” (Jn. 20:21). He then imparts the Holy Spirit on them with his breath.
Thomas, notably was not there, and the others disciples tell him they have seen Jesus but he doesn’t believe. Eight days later Thomas was with them again, behind locked doors, and Jesus came again and stood among them speaking peace. Jesus invites Thomas to touch him and see for himself. And Thomas believes.
Reflection Questions
Jesus is raised from the dead in a real human body, his body. How do characters in John 20 interact with his body?
In John 20:30-31, John gives us the purpose statement of this book. Consider that purpose and how John has made his case that we should believe in Jesus.