Read with Me
Genesis 38:27-30 (HCSB)
When the time came for her to give birth, there were twins in her womb. As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand, and the midwife took it and tied a scarlet thread around it, announcing, “This one came out first.” But then he pulled his hand back, and his brother came out. Then she said, “You have broken out first!” So he was named Perez. Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread tied to his hand, came out, and was named Zerah.
Listen with Me
The time finally arrived six months later for Judah’s sons from Tamar to be delivered. But there was a surprise waiting for everyone during the birth.
Tamar had grown so greatly during her pregnancy that everyone already suspected that she was carrying twins. So, during the birth, when a single hand was extended, the midwife tied a scarlet thread around the baby’s wrist to identify which of the two would be identified as the firstborn. That would be especially important if the babies proved to be identical twins.
But to everyone’s surprise, the hand was withdrawn, and the other child was entirely delivered first. This caused the midwife’s cry of surprise, which led to Tamar naming the child Perez, “He breaks through”. Then the other child emerged with the scarlet thread around his wrist, and his mother named him “Zerah”, or “shining one”.
According to the rules then in place, even though he was fully born second, Zerah was considered the firstborn of the two boys, because at least part of his body had emerged first. However, in subsequent listings of Jewish clans, the descendants of Perez are listed first followed by the descendants of Zerah. (Shelah’s descendants are listed before either of them, because he was the oldest surviving son of Judah and thus received the birthright, the double portion of his father’s estate.) And it is through Perez that both the line of David and the line of Jesus are traced (Matthew 1:3; Luke 3:33).
Where this might seem like an inconsequential detail, it is consistent with God’s habit of elevating the younger brother over the older, exercising His own divine prerogative over human traditions. He elevated Abel over Cain, Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, and He was even then in the process of elevating Joseph over all his older brothers. Throughout history, this served to demonstrate that no matter what the traditions of people dictate, God is the ultimate factor in deciding the destinies of people.
Pray with Me
Father, it is so tempting for us to feel like we are in control, at least of our own destinies. But You proved over and over again throughout Your word that it is You who ultimately decides, and our own plans are of little consequence in the big picture. It is ever so much better for us to seek Your plan and then to simply fit ourselves into that plan instead of trying to fight against You. That is what Jesus Himself modeled for us every single day of His life. Help me, Lord, to seek Your will, Your plan for me and my life, and then simply follow Your lead so that I can flow into that plan. Amen.