B'resheet 38:15 When Y'hudah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, for she had covered her face.
a harlot - some translations say "Temple Harlot". The Canaanites temples had many prostitutes associated with them.
Man's tempted eye.
B'resheet 38:16-19 So he turned aside to her by the road, and said, "Here now, let me come in to you"; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. And she said, "What will you give me, that you may come in to me?" He said, therefore, "I will send you a kid from the flock." She said, moreover, "Will you give a pledge until you send it?" And he said, "What pledge shall I give you?" And she said, "Your seal and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand." So he gave them to her, and went in to her, and she conceived by him. Then she arose and departed, and removed her veil and put on her widow's garments.
Here we see a "kid" being sent by Y'hudah to Tamar. The kid symbolizes Yeshua HaMashiach. (1 Sam. 10:3)
The seal was used as a signature on various legal documents. It was probably cylindrical and worn on a cord around the neck.
The staff must have also had distinguishing markings on it. The following passage is a reference to the Messiah coming from Y'hudah's line.
B'resheet 49:10 "The scepter shall not depart from Y'hudah (Judah), Nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
The seal, cord, and staff later help prove that Tamar 's children were from Y'hudah and that the future Messiah that comes would come from Y'hudah. The seal symbolized power, honor, and authority. (cf: Song 8:6) The Pharaoh gave Yosef his signet ring and made him second in the kingdom. (Gen. 41:41-43) This will also be true of the future Messiah and the Father. He will have all authority. He also pledged to seal us with Ruach HaKodesh.
Ephesians 4:30 "And do not grieve Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) of G-d, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
Just as the seal was used to press on wax or clay as an impression to authenticate a legal document, Ruach HaKodesh makes an indelible impression upon the heart of the believer forever sealing them as belonging to the Messiah Yeshua who is a descendant of this line.
We are given the authority to state what is lawful or unlawful through the spirit. (Matt. 18:18)
We also see here a veil and widow's garments. Tamar removed the veil only after the conception. Why? These actions may be symbolic of the veil of the temple being torn when the Messiah died for our sins. Because of His atoning death and resurrection our sin longer separates us from an eternal relationship with the Father. All we need to do is repent of our sin and accept Yeshua death as payment for our sins. She puts on her widow's garments after conception.. Why? It may symbolize that the future offspring, which is the Messiah, would come to His death or be cut off quickly. Now we all can come boldly to the throne of mercy.
Matt 18:18-19 "Truly I say to you, whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
B'resheet 38:20-23 When Y'hudah sent the kid by his friend the Adullamite, to receive the pledge from the woman's hand, he did not find her. And he asked the men of her place, saying, "Where is the TEMPLE prostitute who was by the road at Einayim?" But they said, "There has been no temple prostitute here." So he returned to Y'hudah, and said, "I did not find her; and furthermore, the men of the place said, 'There has been no temple prostitute here.'" Then Y'hudah said, "Let her keep them, lest we become a laughingstock. After all, I sent this kid, but you did not find her."
Y'hudah says for her to keep his authority. This further illustrates that she would be keeping it by carrying on the line of the Messiah.
Notice here they are all looking for a prostitute.
B'resheet 38:24 Now it was about three months later that Y'hudah was informed, "Your daughter-in-law Tamar has played the harlot, and look, she is also with child by harlotry." Then Y'hudah said, "Bring her out and let her be burned!"
Here we see what may have been a double standard by Y'hudah. He was quick to condemn her for actions that he himself was involved in. He was probably concerned that his family line would be tainted.
It also reminds us of the situation that took place where some men tried to trick Yeshua Ben Yosef who was also from the line of Y'hudah. They were all looking around for a prostitute too and in contrast did find her. They brought the harlot to Him to test Him and see if He would judge her by the law and allow her to be stoned. Yeshua knowing their hearts instead told them that the person without this sin cast the first stone. Not one threw a stone and they all walked away.
In contrast to Y'hudah, Yeshua was without sin. He could have cast the first stone but instead also in contrast to Y'hudah He showed compassion and mercy on her. HaShem later also shows mercy to Tamar because the Messiah comes from her line. Moshe said later to be on the lookout for Him.
Back to Y'hudah:
B'resheet 38:25-26 It was while she was being brought out that she sent to her father-in-law, saying, "I am with child by the man to whom these things belong." And she said," Please examine and see, whose signet ring and cord and staff are these? " And Y'hudah recognized them, and said, "She is more righteous than I, inasmuch as I did not give her to my son Shelah." And he did not have relations with her again.
Y'hudah admits his sinfulness. He states she is more righteous because he did not keep his promise and bless her by sending his son to her. He neglected her inheritance rights. Tamara declares she is with child who was from the line of Y'hudah. She also declares and proves his lineage. This also points us to Miryam.
B'resheet 38:27-30 And it came about at the time she was giving birth, that look, there were twins in her womb. Moreover, it took place while she was giving birth, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, "This one came out first." But it came about as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out. Then she said, "What a breach you have made for yourself!" So he was named Peretz. And afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand; and he was named Zerach.
Peretz. - means (breaking out)
Zerach. Means (scarlet)
Twins are the sign of a witness.
Here we witness in the world of sinners a line that would not only produce David but would still produce the righteous seed Yeshua HaMashiach as promised. In contrast to Y'hudah, HaShem keeps His promise of sending His Son as our Messiah and future husband.
Matt 1:2-16 To Avraham was born Yitz'chak; and to Yitz'chak, Ya'akov; and to Ya'akov, Y'hudah and his brothers; and to Y'hudah were born PERETZ and ZERACH by TAMAR; and to PERETZ was born Hetzron; and to Hezron, Ram; and to Ram was born Amminadav; and to Amminadav, Nachshon; and to Nachshon, Salmon; and to Salmon was born Bo'az by Rachav; and to Boaz was born Oved by Ruth; and to Oved, Yishai; and to Yishai was born David the king. And to David was born Shlomo by her who had been the wife of Uriyah; and to Solomon was born Rechav'am; and to Rechav'am, Avijah; and to Abijah, Asa; and to Asa was born Y'hoshafat; and to Y'hoshafat, Yoram; and to Yoram, Uziyahu; and to Uziyahu was born Yotam; and to Yotam, Achaz; and to Achaz, Hizkiyahu; and to Hizkiyahu was born M'nasheh; and to M'nasheh, Amon; and to Amon, Yoshiyahu; and to Yoshiyahu were born Ykhanyahu and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon, to Ykhanyahu was born Sh'altiel; and to Sh'altiel, Z'rubavel; and to Z'rubavel was born Avihud; and to Avihud, Elyakim; and to Eliakim, Azur; and to Azur was born Tzadok; and to Tzadok, Yakhin; and to Yakhin, El'ichud; and to El'ichud was born El'azar; and to Eleazar, Matthan; and to Mattan, Yakov; and to Yakov was born Yosef the husband of Miryam, by whom was born Yeshua, who is called Messiah.
In contrast to Y'hudah declaring Tamar more righteous we have Miryam declaring her humble position and the holiness of Yeshua who was in the line of Y'hudah who would become her savior and HaShem did keep His promise of B'resheet (Gen) 3:15. Yeshua should be adored and will be during His reign in the future. He was and is totally divine and Holy and will return as Yeshua Ben David. This does not mean Miryam is the mother of G-d. His divine nature had no mother. Miryam should not be an object of anyone's adoration.
Miryam declares the past and declares her child and prophesizes short term and long term:
Luke 1:46-55 Miryam said,
My soul magnifies Adonai. (Ps. 34:2; 1 Sam. 2:1-10)
And my spirit rejoices in G-d, MY SAVIOR, (Ps. 35:9;1 Tim. 1:1)
Who has taken notice of his servant -girl
For He has regarded the humble state of His servant-girl;(Ps. 138:6)
For look, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. (Luke 11:27)
"For the Mighty One has done great things for me; (Ps. 71:19)
And HOLY is HIS NAME. (Ps.111:9;Rev. 4:8)
"And His MERCY is upon generation after generation (Gen. 17:7)
Toward those who fear Him.
"He has done mighty deeds with His arm; (Ps. 98;Isa. 40:10;)
He has scattered those who were PROUD in the thoughts of their heart. (Ps. 33:10;JOHN 8:1;1 Pet. 5:5)
"He has brought down rulers from their thrones, (1 Sam. 2:7-8;Rev. 6:15;16)
And has exalted those who were HUMBLE.
"He has FILLED the HUNGRY with good things; (Matt. 5:6;14:18-21)
And sent away the rich empty-handed. (Mark 10:21)
"He has given help to Israel His servant, (Jer. 31:3; Isa 41:8;Zech 14:3)
In remembrance of His mercy, (Ps. 98:3)
As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and his offspring forever. " (Gen. 17:7;17:19;Gal. 3:16;Rom. 11:28)