The story of Perez, Jesus’ ancestor, is a testament to how God’s way of operating is not logical for us. Before getting into the story, let’s understand where he is coming from. Perez is the twin brother of Zerah, who were sons of Tamar and Judah. Tamar was the widow of Judah’s eldest son, Er. However, because of his wickedness, God killed him before he could have children. Afterwards, Judah asked his second son, Onan, to provide offspring for Tamar so that the family line could continue, but Onan performed coitus interruptus, also known as the pull out method.
His action displeased God and so, like his older brother, God killed him. At this point, Judah promised his youngest son, Shelah, but didn’t fulfill his promise. To make a long story short, Tamar become pregnant by Judah through deception after Judah’s wife had died, and thus Perez and Zerah was born.
Perez means to breach or burst forth, because in Genesis, Zerah’s hand had come out first during the birthing process, and the midwife had tied a scarlet thread around his hand. However, ultimately Perez came out first, completely disrupting natural order.
In a similar way, God often uses the last to be first, and the first to be last, Matthew 20:16. In this story, God not only used someone who used very questionable methods to get pregnant, but also a son who others would consider a cheat for forcing themself out first after their brother already claimed the firstborn title. God’s plans outweigh our plans, and the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisest man, 1 Corinthians 1:25.
Let us take hope and courage in the fact that God doesn’t look at what the world looks at when calling us to His purpose. Stay blessed and follow for more inspirational videos!