Frank shows up to pick up his wife, Jenny, who had joined a Pro-life group outside an abortion clinic. The group had committed to stand together outside the clinic until 5:00pm. It is now 5:10pm, and everyone has left, except Jenny.

Now this is not mere pirate language.  Each country or nation, for any specified time throughout the ages, assigns names common to their area and time, though uncommon perhaps to us now.  So, the name of Er was chosen for Judah's firstborn. But, before this happened, let's back up a bit ...to before Judah was married.

The Bible says that Jacob's many sons perceived what they felt was favoritism by their dad toward Joseph. The brothers reasoned that they would kill Joseph, and be rid of him.  Now, this may seem too similar to the Cain and Abel drama, as that played out into a very wicked reality.  Perhaps the similarity crossed Reuben's mind as he suggested they not kill their brother ...but just throw him in a vast pit, with no water.  And they took the coat of many colors which their dad had given Joseph ...then threw him in the pit.

Now, Judah asked what profit that would be ...and he suggested that they sell Joseph as a slave.

The beginning of the next Chapter says, "And it came to pass ..."

Well, Judah got a wife, and their firstborn was called Er. Judah selected a wife for Er, it says.  Her name was Tamar. The Bible says that Er was wicked, and God did away with him.

Besides each people having their own standard names, they also have their own standards that may not be common to us.  The ways may even seem a bit strange ...and though we may not accept those ways, they did.  Perhaps it's difficult for us to accept because we don't quite understand.

Part of the understanding is that ...with a society that is largely shepherds and farmers, the land is very important. And when one marries ...for the woman, it is her inheritance. And part of the inheritance is to have children, to help keep the land productive. 

So, if a wife lost her husband, instead of ending up with nothing or no way to manage what she inherited through marriage, the next oldest unmarried brother was to give her a child.  

But, that next child of Judah, named Onan, did not respect the traditions ...and furthermore was self-willed.  God willed that Onan be done away with also.

Selah is a word used in the Bible which scholars have not defined with certainty ...but, most believe that it means to contemplate or draw breath to what has been just read or heard.  

Judah's next son of obligation perhaps brought a bit of Selah to Judah in his own way ...but human contemplation and understanding can often draw the breath away, to often not return with a fresh breath.  Judah's only remaining son was named Shelah ...and Judah was not willing to make right by Tamar, thinking perhaps it was Tamar who was bad news for his sons. Yet, we know from the Bible that it was indeed Judah's two oldest sons who were the problem.

Tamar decided to not let Judah dodge his obligation.  You can read about it in the 38th Chapter of the Book of Genesis. Tamar tricked Judah himself into giving her the child. Judah saw that she was pregnant, and not realizing it was by him, used this opportunity to condemn her ...to death.

But, it was revealed to him that he was the dad of the child .., and it was as if God gave the Selah and understanding, to which Judah then said, "She has been more righteous than I ..."

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And we know of One who is more righteous than all ...who died for our unrighteousness. Yet, as Jesus walked the earth as man, He set the other men straight when they were pointing the finger of guilt at another woman found in a compromising position, stating they caught her in the very act of adultery ...and Jesus directly answered their accusations, "He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her."


Of course, Jesus also told her to go and sin no more.

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How do we answer today??