epistle for August 9, 2013
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E-pistle
FreeWay Foundation August 9, 2013
Tamar Outsmarts Judah
(Genesis 38:1-30)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the Canaanite woman named Tamar
1. "Tamar" means "date palm."
2. This Tamar is listed as a part of the lineage of Jesus Christ, Matthew 1:3.
3. This Tamar is NOT David's daughter listed in II Samuel 13.
4. This Tamar was cited as part of the blessing which the elders pronounced
when Ruth married Boaz, Ruth 4:12.
II. Meditation: on Tamar's ill treatment by Judah (one of the 12 sons of Jacob)
1. Tamar was the wife of Judah's eldest son, Er, a wicked man who died without
producing a son, vv. 6-7.
2. Judah gave Tamar his second son, Onan, for the producing a son in the name
of the dead man., vv. 7-8.
3. Onan refused to impregnate Tamar, so God took his life, vv. 9-10.
4. Judah refused to allow his third son, Shelah, to become Tamar's husband because
he feared for Shelah's life . . . Judah believed that Tamar was "BAD LUCK" on
husbands, vv. 11, 14.
III. Revelation: on God's use of Tamar's scheme to teach Judah a valuable lesson
1. Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute and agreed to have sexual relations with her
father-in-law, Judah, vv. 12-15.
2. Judah and Tamar agreed upon a price (one goat), but Tamar asked for Judah's signet
(ring), cord, and staff as a pledge, vv. 16-18.
3. Tamar resumed her role as Judah's daughter-in-law; Judah searched but could not
find the "HARLOT" to pay his debt, vv. 19-23.
4. Three months later, when it became obvious that Tamar was pregnant, Judah wanted
to have her burned as a harlot . . . but she produced his signet ring, cord, and staff
to prove that he was the father, twin boys were born: Perez and Zerah, vv. 24-30.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Live according to God's law (not attempting to circumvent them or "to find a loop-hole")
. . . the Levitate Law REQUIRED a dead man's brother to marry his childless widow and
father a son who would assume the dead man's name and inherit his portion of the
Promised Land, Deuteronomy 25:5-10.
2. Realize that Almighty God can and will accomplish His perfect will, sometimes even using
unworthy people and sinful actions to bring about His ultimate good, Romans 8:28.
3. Refrain from making any hasty judgments, condemning a person who "obviously" is
guilty of a gross sin, Matthew 7:1-5. Remember that pride goes before a fall, Proverbs 16:18.
4. Confess my own guilt and sin before the Lord, recognizing that I am a dirty (but forgiven)
sinner myself. Judah was right when he said, "She has been more righteous than I," v. 26.
Judas Iscariot, the betrayer
(Matthew 26:1-75)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. The Jewish religious leaders plotted to kill Jesus, vv. 1-5.
2. A woman anointed Jesus' head in the home of Simon the leper in
Bethany, vv. 6-13.
3. Judas agreed to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, vv. 14-16.
4. Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples and instituted the Lord's
Supper, vv. 17-30.
5. Jesus predicted Simon Peter's denial, vv. 31-35.
6. Jesus prayed in Gethsemane; He was betrayed and arrested, vv. 36-56.
7. Jesus was tried and mistreated by the Sanhedrin, vv. 57-68.
8. Peter denied Jesus and wept bitterly, vv. 69-75.
II. Meditation: on the disciple named Judas
1. His name means "Praise Jehovah" and "Man of Kerioth," a Judean
town near Hebron.
2. He was the only disciple from Judah; all others of the Twelve were from
the northern district of Galilee.
3. He was treasurer of the group, John 13:29.
4. He criticized Mary's "wasteful" gift of anointing Jesus, John 12:3-5.
5. He was a thief, John 12:6.
6. He was demon-possessed: Luke 22:3; John 6:70-71; 13:2.
7. He was present at the Last Supper, and he was identified by Jesus as
the betrayer, Matthew 26:21-25; John 13:21-30.
8. For thirty pieces of silver, Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, as had been
prophesied; see Luke 22:47-48 and Matthew 27:9.
9. He "repented himself" and returned the blood money, Matthew 27:3.
10. He committed suicide, Matthew 27:5; Acts 1:18.
III. Revelation: n the flawed character of Judas
1. Judas was a "loner" . . . AMONG the Twelve, but NOT OF them.
2. He had the wrong priority: valuing the material above the spiritual.
3. His lack of integrity opened him up to Satanic influences.
4. He was sorry (but not with Godly repentance), and he killed himself.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Be an integral part of a Christian group, drawing spiritual strength from
my association with fellow believers.
2. Seek first God's kingdom (spiritual rule), not material or physical things.
3. By personal integrity, allow Satan no opening to influence or use my life.
4. Truly repent daily of my sins, allowing Jesus to forgive, cleanse, renew,
and fill my life to radiate His presence.
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."
--Dr. Seuss
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