Yawada, aka Juda (Judah) and the daytime TV Soap drama with Tamara. In the vibrant tapestry of ancient Africa, the land of Shem, a tale of love, loss, and reprieve developed. At that time, Yawada, known in the scriptures as Juda, the son of Akobe, ventured away from his brothers.
They all lived spread out from Mamre to Shechem to Bethel; modern-day Cape Town South Africa, and northern and southern Namibia, respectively. He found himself in the land of Canaan in a company of a certain Adullamite named Hirah. As fate would have it, Yawada’s eyes met a beautiful young lady named Shuah (Shawah), a daughter of the Canaanites, and he was captivated by her beauty. They embraced each other’s love, and their union brought forth a son named Er.
Shuah conceived once again, giving birth to a second son whom she named Onan (Onana). And once more, a child was born to them, a son named Shelah (Shela), as they resided in Chezib or Chaziba. But darkness loomed over Er, because he wandered a wicked path and displeased the Great Spirit. The Great Spirit, in swift divine judgment, took his life.
Traditions of the Ancestors
Guided by the sacred traditions of their ancestors, Yawada approached Onan, urging him to fulfill the ancient duty of a brother, which was to give seed to the widow of his brother and raise a child up in his deceased brother’s name. Onan, however, selfishly spilled his seed upon the earth, denying his brother’s widow the gift of progeny. The Great Spirit was once again displeased by this act and also claimed the life of Onan.
Filled with sorrow, Yawada advised Tamara, his daughter-in-law, to return to her father’s house and remain a widow until Shela, his youngest son, reached an age of maturity reproduction. Tamara obediently dwelled in her father’s home, awaiting the destined time.
As the wheel of time turned, tragedy struck Yawada’s household once more, as his wife, Shuah, passed away. Seeking solace, Yawada journeyed to Timnath for the sheep-shearing festivities, accompanied by his trusted friend, Hirah the Adullamite.
Tamara Informed Shela Was Not Left to Her
Word reached Tamara that her father-in-law would visit Timnath. Sensing an opportunity, she shed her widow’s garments and veiled her face, taking her place at the crossroads. Observing Tamara, Yawada mistook her for a harlot, for her face remained concealed. Unbeknownst to him, he propositioned his own daughter-in-law, offering a kid from his flock as a fee for her “pleasuring” services.
Tamara, cunning and wise, requested a pledge to ensure the fulfillment of his promise. Yawada, willing to comply, offered his signet, bracelets, and staff. He would have made TMZ and other scandal-ridden publications for his scandalized act. Their fateful encounter resulted in conception, and after their union, Tamara restored her widow’s garments, veiling her face once again.
Yawada sent Hirah, his loyal companion, to retrieve the pledged item from the woman’s hand. To their dismay, she could not be found. They inquired about the harlot, only to be told that no such person existed at that place. Realizing the potential shame that could befall them, Yawada decided to let the matter rest, accepting the loss of the pledged item. Even back then they did not want to be on the front page of the National Inquirer.
Tamara Takes Matters in Her Own Hands
Months passed, and news reached Yawada’s ears that Tamara, his daughter-in-law, had engaged in harlotry and was now pregnant. Filled with self-righteous anger, Yawada demanded that she be brought forth and burned. Harsh! As she faced this grave accusation, Tamara sent a message to Yawada, revealing the truth. She presented the signet, bracelets, and staff, challenging him to recognize their significance.
In that moment of truth, Yawada acknowledged his own wrongdoing and confessed to Tamara’s righteousness. He admitted that he had failed to fulfill his obligation to give her to Shela in marriage. From that point on, he refrained from any further relations with her.
The day of reckoning arrived, and Tamara found herself in the throes of labor. To everyone’s surprise, she bore twin sons. As the first child reached out his hand, the midwife bound a scarlet thread around it, signifying his emergence as the firstborn. However, the second child could not be restrained and emerged before his sibling, earning the name Pharez (Fare), meaning “breach.”
Zara and Pharez (Farez)
Another son followed, his hand adorned with the scarlet thread. He was named Zara, symbolizing the vividness of his existence. The birth of these twins marked the continuation of the lineage, a testament to the resilience and strength that flowed through the blood of Yawada, via Akobe, Isaaka, and Abram (Abrashem).
Thus, this saga of Yawada and Tamara, filled with twists and turns of fate and divine intervention, wove together the threads of love, sacrifice, and saving within the vibrant tapestry of ancient Semitic history.
To be continued…
Minister Koko
BSM
BibleStudyMinistry.com
(Tell a friend about us, about the movement for truth and righteousness, all for a better world community)
With all love and Spiritual regards