Vagabond Diaries #22: Tamar

March 02, 2025
00:00 23:21
Listen on Your Favorite App

Today’s Vagabond Diary, is an excerpt from my recently published book for women, women’s groups and book clubs Dance Daughters of the Most High! Book 2. As you may have heard, it looks at seven largely underappreciated, misunderstood, and overlooked women in the Old Testament. This lady certainly fits those categories. Meet Tamar. This woman’s story is not widely publicized in Christian circles. There are certain reasons, but are they good ones?

You certainly won’t hear about her in children’s church or on ‘visitation’ Sunday. Honestly, it is a bit of an embarrassment to modern Christians. It feels more like modern reality TV than the high bar for behavior we expect in the lives of Biblical characters, especially the Jewish patriarchs.

To make a long story short, Judah slept with his daughter-in-law Tamar, the same Judah who was the famous forefather of King David and Jesus. Then, in the understatement of the ages, he declares,

“She is more righteous than I” (Gen 38:26),

How can we look our teenagers in the eyes and explain this one?

Now we see why most modern commentators want to keep the Tamar story at arms or football-field length. And yet, drum roll…Jewish scholars see Tamar in a very different light. To many, she is a hero of the faith. Let’s see what you think.

Welcome to God’s Love for the Unlovable and Gospel Rant.

Enjoy! Love feedback, Bill@gospel-app.com. PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, LIKE or FOLLOW.

Support The Show: https://www.gospelrant.com/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

More Episodes
Vagabond Diaries #21: James
February 23, 2025
Vagabond Diaries #23: Rebekah
March 9, 2025
See all episodes
Meet Your Host
Dr. Bill Senyard is a husband, father, pastor, church revitalization consultant, biblical scholar, author of over 14 books, and creator of three online gospel immersion journeys. His primary gift is asking good questions and not being always satisfied with the usual pat answers. The gospel is more powerful than we expect. It's time we start believing that. Want to go deeper? You are at the right place.
Podcasts About Sign Up Advertise Contact