It is one of the seediest stories in the Old Testament. It is one of those portions that we like to overlook. We travel past this account like it belongs in the grocery store aisle next to the cheap, risqué romance novels. Eyes diverted. Head ducked. Slight blush on our face. Almost red faced, let’s take a quick stroll back to Genesis 38. Judah chooses a wife for his oldest son, Er. Tamar and Er are married. But Er is so wicked that God kills him. Onan, Judah’s next son, also displeases God and is slain. So Judah tells Tamar to go back to her father’s house and remain a widow until his youngest son, Shelah, grows up and takes Tamar as his wife. But Judah fails to keep his word. Shelah grows up, but Judah doesn’t send him to join Tamar.
Tamar receives word that Judah has lied to her and that he is in the neighborhood, so she dresses as a prostitute and covers her face with a veil. Judah approaches Tamar, not knowing it was his daughter-in-law, and propositions her. Tamar asks what payment she will receive for their time together. Judah responds that he will give her a lamb from his flock. Tamar asks for a pledge or something to hold as collateral until he delivers what he has promised. Judah agrees to these terms and gives Tamar his signet ring, bracelets, and his staff. Then, being driven by lust, Judah takes Tamar and sleeps with her. Tamar leaves Judah and soon discovers she is pregnant by her father-in-law. Judah has a brief encounter that basically meets his needs and makes him feel better. This red light district account is certainly not one of the finer moments in the history of God’s people; however, this incident teaches us a powerful lesson about worship.
As you know, Judah’s name means praise. In this account we see praise, Judah, driven by his own needs, wants, and desires. He is only concerned about doing what makes him feel good. Therefore, praise becomes prostituted. Judah’s pledge to Tamar reveals what happens when praise is prostituted. He leaves behind his ring, bracelet, and staff. The ring represents Judah’s authority. This was the ring that would be used to seal orders and messages. His bracelet and staff represent his identity because these items told those around him who he was and to which tribe he belonged.
We must learn that worship is not about us. When the focus of praise is no longer God, but our own comfort, goose bumps, dance, and excitement, we make the same choice that Judah made. When praise revolves around our needs and we only worship because it makes us feel good, then our praise becomes prostituted. We leave our brief encounter feeling satisfied and excited, but receive the same results as Judah. We leave church week after week losing our authority and identity. It is time for Christians to leave behind the red light district and reclaim our rings, bracelets, and staffs. As we worship in spirit and in truth we will once again have authority and a keen sense of who we are and to whom we belong.
Tamar receives word that Judah has lied to her and that he is in the neighborhood, so she dresses as a prostitute and covers her face with a veil. Judah approaches Tamar, not knowing it was his daughter-in-law, and propositions her. Tamar asks what payment she will receive for their time together. Judah responds that he will give her a lamb from his flock. Tamar asks for a pledge or something to hold as collateral until he delivers what he has promised. Judah agrees to these terms and gives Tamar his signet ring, bracelets, and his staff. Then, being driven by lust, Judah takes Tamar and sleeps with her. Tamar leaves Judah and soon discovers she is pregnant by her father-in-law. Judah has a brief encounter that basically meets his needs and makes him feel better. This red light district account is certainly not one of the finer moments in the history of God’s people; however, this incident teaches us a powerful lesson about worship.
As you know, Judah’s name means praise. In this account we see praise, Judah, driven by his own needs, wants, and desires. He is only concerned about doing what makes him feel good. Therefore, praise becomes prostituted. Judah’s pledge to Tamar reveals what happens when praise is prostituted. He leaves behind his ring, bracelet, and staff. The ring represents Judah’s authority. This was the ring that would be used to seal orders and messages. His bracelet and staff represent his identity because these items told those around him who he was and to which tribe he belonged.
We must learn that worship is not about us. When the focus of praise is no longer God, but our own comfort, goose bumps, dance, and excitement, we make the same choice that Judah made. When praise revolves around our needs and we only worship because it makes us feel good, then our praise becomes prostituted. We leave our brief encounter feeling satisfied and excited, but receive the same results as Judah. We leave church week after week losing our authority and identity. It is time for Christians to leave behind the red light district and reclaim our rings, bracelets, and staffs. As we worship in spirit and in truth we will once again have authority and a keen sense of who we are and to whom we belong.
0 comments:
Post a Comment