I used to look at the narrative about Judah and Tamar and wonder why this was in the text - it is one sordid tale. After reading it, you want to go and take a shower. A man in the line of Christ sleeping with his daughter-in-law who has to dress up like a prostitute to get him to sleep with her!
But I have learned through study that this Scripture is valuable. First, it teaches us that God can still achieve His purpose (in this case, the line of Christ) even through the evil of men. God can make good come out of bad. When bad happens in our life through the evil of others, God can redeem these things and make good come out of it. Take for example, Tim Tebow - a good Christian role model - being the product of the rape of his mom.
Also, God can use an embarrassing low in a person's life to turn them around. Judah has been the chief scoundrel among the brothers up to this point. He was the one driving the brothers to sell Joseph into slavery and lie to their dad. He also acted wickedly with Tamar and his sons. But this incident with Tamar has showed him how low he is - "She is more righteous than I." From here on out, notice how Judah becomes the righteous leader for the brothers.
Do you pray for someone to be turned around? Are you prepared for God to bring him/her low to answer your prayer?
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