This posting is going to read as if I’m skipping around - but PLEASE stick with me because it’s all about the beautiful points of connections in the details that makes this posting.
Romans 8:28 “…and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”.
“… the called…” are indeed a peculiar people. I think Father God chooses such because mankind is so arrogant in thinking less of those who are peculiar. The arrogant presume they are better, prettier, smarter, just more… than you. They say, “Father God simply would not call you…” I suppose they didn’t consider locust eating, camel-hair clothed, living in the wilderness, calling the Pharisees a brood of vipers - John the Baptist. Definitely called. Definitely peculiar.
Genesis 38 is the story of Tamar who was the daughter-in-law to Judah, eldest half brother to Joseph.
For context - Genesis 37 -Joseph was the younger brother, that had ten half brothers that loathed him. Why? Because Joseph was highly favored of their father Jacob/Israel. Joseph, I think being young and not able to “read the room” as it were, shared his dreams that told of his being exalted among them. This fell like a lead balloon among his brethren and added fuel for the fodder of their hatred.
Joseph was just, so peculiar. I feel sorry for him. He just didn’t understand his mere existence just rubbed some people the wrong way… But Father God had called him…
However, inserted into Joseph story we have a parallel story running a peculiar course for Tamar. There are some crazy details in her story. First Judah took a wife from the Canaanites - not God’s people. They had some wicked practices. Undoubtedly, Judah’s wife taught their sons these practices and so were equally wicked, but Tamar, wife to Judah’s first born son shared the customs and beliefs of Jacob/Israel and tried to do what was right…
Tamar’s first husband died because of his wickedness and she was without a son to maintain standing within the family, (this is my simplification of a complex tradition - remember I am not a scholar nor authority. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH). According to tradition the second son was to marry Tamar so that she would have a kinsmen redeemer, but he too was, self-serving, (lots of details here - read the account), and died before she conceived a son. So Judah being weary of this widow-maker, held back on his last son… Fast forward to Judah’s own wife dying and through unbelievable planning and conniving on dear Tamar’s part… (She had a secret understanding - I think she was inspired of God with major understanding and drive to be a set part of this up and coming nation of Jacob/Israel); she did finally conceive twins through the seed of Judah, (so, two non-blood related widowed people coming together to accomplish the deed). This was the only time Tamar had children and the only time Judah “knew” her, BUT she had her kinsman.
Some would say Tamar was driven to have the children she did, but she did not know that she too would be in the lineage of Jesus Christ as a result of this definite peculiar desire. Tradition back then, did not value the worth of a childless woman. Barren women were looked down upon and ridiculed - read Hannah’s story, the mother of Samuel.
And here I’ll segue into the worth of those that are peculiar or better yet called to do something that to the glancing eye is odd, but in the end has life changing results for so many - i.e. Tamar’s story, Joseph’s story - continue to read about his peculiar gift of interpreting dreams and eventually saving the Egyptians and His dear half brothers. And most importantly let us not forget Jesus - Only One ever, to willing die - shed His blood for the sins of the entire world-MAJOR.
I’m presently, reading Vaneetha Risner’s newest book “This Was Never The Plan”, (I rarely recommend reading material but will do so with her books). She writes about her journey through divorce. Because of tradition, Tamar did not have value or standing within her dead husbands family, because she did not have children by either sons of Judah. Similarly, people bear the worthlessness of divorce, as if the entire weight of the success of the marriage rested squarely upon our shoulders.
My very good friend gave me these words recently:
“My worth does not depend upon what others think of me, but my worth depends on what Jesus thinks of me!”
Peculiar people - called, driven, - by God, however oddly determined, are purposefully accomplishing the work Father God has given them to do, what others think of them matters little, (it’s just background noise) - Father God’s approval is all that matters.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Nina
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| This is my incomplete, but soon to be a submission for a possible mural project. I have about 2 feet to go |
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