The Choice: Islam and Christianity

(National Geographic (Little) Kids) #1

Tesl Of Inspiration 27


the bracelets and the staff, with a servant and a plea
beseeching him to find out the culprit responsible for her
pregnancy. She said, “By the man, whose these things are,
am I with child.” Judah acknowledged his belongings, and said,


She hath been more righteous
than I, because that I gave her
not to Shelah, m y (surviving) son.
And he knew 1 her again no more.
(HOLY BIBLE) Genesis 38:26

Nine months after the sexual encounter on the Timnath Road
between Judah the father-in-law, and Tamar his daughter-in-law
the midwife was on the alert by Tamar’s bedside From the size
of her abdomen she had surmised that twins were in her womb.
And according to the Laws of Moses (pbuh) she had to be
particularly careful to label the “first-born.” If the woman
delivered identical twins and if care was not taken to mark the
first one to see the light of day, then grave injustice was feared,
because the first-bom was to receive the lions share of his
father’s patrimony.


While Tamar travailed, THE ONE put out his hand through his
mother’s womb and the nurse tied a scarlet thread quickly to
signify that “ This one came out first!” But this was too
sensitive for the tiny tot, so he quickly withdrew his hand into
the warmth of his mother, and behold, his brother came out and
the midwife exclaimed,


How hast thou broken forth?
This breach be upon thee:
therefore his name was called Perez.
And afterward came out his brother,
That had the scarlet thread
upon his hand: and his name was
called Zerah.
(HOLY BIBLE) Genesis 38:29-30


  1. Knew: and know, often means to have sexual relations in the Bible. The Good News
    Bible puts it succinctly — "And Judah never had INTERCOURSE with her again.”
    Once was enough!

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