Read Online A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers - Free Book Online

when pasturing his sheep? Did he worship when he was with his father or his brothers? Her father-in-law never said anything one way or the other, and Tamar dared not inquire of Bathshua.
    If the God of Judah allowed, she would bear children by Onan, and she would fulfill the hope Judah had to build up his household. Er was dead. She would take comfort in knowing her children would never be placed in the arms of Molech and rolled into the fires of Topheth, nor would they be trained up to perform lewd acts with a priest on a public altar dedicated to Astarte. They would grow up in the ways of Judah’s father and not in the ways of her own. They would bow down to Judah’s God and not bend to those of Bathshua.
    Her heart cried out for this to be true, though nothing was certain. A year in Judah’s household had taught Tamar that Bathshua had the upper hand. On the one occasion Judah had exerted his authority, his eldest son had rebelled and died.
    She couldn’t go to Judah and talk of these things. It was too soon, too painful. When Judah was ready, he would send for her. What else could he do? She was to be the childbearer.
    * * *
    Judah pondered the future of his family. He knew what he had to do but still waited seventy days before summoning Tamar. When she stood before him in her black tsaiph , slender and dignified, her head up, he realized she had changed. Her face no longer bore the marks of ill treatment. Her skin was smooth and healthy. Yet it was more than that. Poised and calm, she looked at him. She was no longer the trembling child-bride he had brought home to Er.
    Judah knew Tamar had never loved Er. She had submitted to Er, showing his son the respect due a husband. Though he knew she’d been beaten, Judah had never seen her cower like a dog. She had accepted her fate and worked hard to become part of his family. She had submitted to every command. She would accept his decision now and abide by it.
    “I’m giving Onan to you as your husband so that you can bear a son for Er.”
    “My lord,” she said and bowed down to him.
    Judah wanted to say something, anything that might give the poor girl comfort and hope. But what could he say that wouldn’t demean Er? No matter how bent upon evil his eldest son had been, Er was still the first fruit of Judah’s loins, the first show of his strength as a man. He couldn’t speak against Er without speaking against himself.
    A blessing would ease his conscience. “May you be fruitful and multiply my house, Tamar.” She would not suffer with Onan. As far as Judah knew, his second son took no pleasure in tormenting the helpless.
    When Tamar rose to her feet, she lifted her head and looked at him. He was discomfited by the warmth in her eyes. He nodded. “You may go.”
    She turned away and then turned back again. “May I speak with you, my lord?” Something plagued her deeply.
    He raised his brows.
    “Since I am to bear children for your household, will you instruct me in the ways of your God?”
    He stiffened. “When the time comes, I will speak to Onan about it.”
    “Surely the time is long past.”
    He clenched his fists. “Do you dare reprimand me?”
    “No, my lord,” she said in confusion. She paled. “I beg your pardon. I only meant . . .”
    He saw the tears well in her eyes but ignored her appeal. “Leave me.” Closing his eyes, he jerked his head in command. He heard her quick retreating footsteps.
    Why did Tamar always have to ask about God? What could he tell her? God had struck Er for his cruel arrogance and taken vengeance upon Judah as well. An eye for an eye, a life for a life. Er for Joseph.
    Judah raked his fingers through his hair, then held his head. Perhaps now the past could be laid to rest.
    “This is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” His father’s words came to him as though Jacob had leaned close and whispered them.
    Agitated, Judah rose and left the house.
    * * *
    Tamar