Outsiders: A Christmas Story, pt. 1; Tamar
In Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus, we find four names that might surprise us – Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and “Uriah’s wife.” Their presence in this royal lineage tells us something profound about how God works through those on the margins. This week, we explore Tamar’s story, a tale that reminds us how God works through unexpected people and difficult circumstances. Tamar was twice widowed and then unjustly cast aside by her father-in-law Judah, leaving her in the precarious position of being a permanent widow in ancient times. With no means to provide for herself and no future to look forward to, she took desperate measures. Through a complex series of events involving deception and moral compromise, Tamar became the mother of twins – one of whom, Perez, would become an ancestor of Jesus Christ. What’s remarkable isn’t just that Tamar appears in Jesus’ family tree, but how God used this messy situation for His purposes. Neither Tamar nor Judah’s actions were exemplary, yet God worked through their brokenness. In fact, this experience became a turning point for Judah, who later demonstrated remarkable growth by offering himself as a substitute to save his brother Benjamin – a far cry from the man who had once sold Joseph into slavery. This story challenges our expectations about how God works. He doesn’t wait for perfect people or ideal circumstances. Instead, He meets people where they are, working through their brokenness to accomplish His purposes. The genealogy of Jesus isn’t filled with spotless heroes, but with real people who faced difficult choices and sometimes made questionable decisions. If you feel too broken or imperfect for God to use, remember Tamar’s story. God hasn’t forgotten you, and He can work through your life in ways you cannot imagine. You don’t need to clean up your act before coming to Him – He’s ready to meet you exactly where you are.
Dinner Table Conversations:
Adult & Teen Table Talk:
- The story of Tamar isn’t a “Be Like” story where we should emulate either character. How does this change the way we should read and learn from difficult biblical narratives?
- God didn’t wait for Tamar or Judah to “clean up their act” before using them in His plan. How might this truth change the way we view ourselves or others in ministry?
- Social media often pressures us to present a “perfect” image of ourselves. How does this story challenge the idea that we need to be perfect to be used by God?
Little Learners’ Table Talk:
- Sometimes we think we need to be perfect before God will love us. But God loves us just as we are! What are some ways you know God loves you?
- In our story, Judah learned to say, “I was wrong.” Is it hard or easy to say “I’m sorry” when you make a mistake? Why?
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