DON’T DRAW BACK YOUR HAND

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Text: GEN. 38:27-30

Gen 38:27-30

27 Now it came to pass, at the time for giving birth, that behold, twins were in her womb.
28 And so it was, when she was giving birth, that the one put out his hand; and the midwife took a scarlet thread and bound it on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.”
29 Then it happened, as he drew back his hand, that his brother came out unexpectedly; and she said, “How did you break through? This breach be upon you!” Therefore his name was called Perez.
30 Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand. And his name was called Zerah.

INTRO:

There is no birthing without a travail and some are particularly more difficult than others as seen in the message of Hezekiah to Prophet Isaiah in:

Isa 37:3
3 They told him, “This is what Hezekiah says: This day is a day of distress and rebuke and disgrace, as when children come to the point of birth and there is no strength to deliver them.
However inspite of the difficulty, the almighty has given a word concerning His people.
Isa 66:8
8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
Whenever travail takes place a birthing occurs. In this case this woman Tamar had a particularly challenging delivery as one of the children she was carrying had a breech presentation. This breeched child put out his hand and a scarlet thread was tied to it for identification, but for reason not known to us, he withdrew the hand and his brother came out before him becoming the first born. Here begins our discuss.
A) V28 “… one put out a hand…”

What is the significance of the hand?

In the scriptures, the hand signifies a number of things:-
– An instrument of his occupation or productivity. Mic. 7:14(NIV).
– A tool of his identity- Gen. 38:25.
– A tool of security (offence or defense) Num. 21:18, Judges 5:14.
– A tool for the support of his life- Ex. 21:19, Zech. 8:4.
– A tool for his ministry- Jer. 33:13, Ezek. 20:37.
– A token of his authority- Ex. 4:17.
– A tool for correction-
Ps. 23:4, 2sam7:14.
Please note these two things.
By tying the scarlet thread around his wrist, the following would have been conferred on him if he had held on.

1) Scarlet in scripture interchange often with purple indicating
· Honour : Gen 38:28-29

· Protection and/ preservation- Josh 2:18-19

· Dignity and office-Matt 27:28, Luke 23:11

· Firmness not easily washed- Isa. 1:18.
· Royalty and power- Dan. 5:7, 16,19.

2) The right of the first born i.e. the birthright. What does this confer?
i. This particular blessing means that where your fathers stopped, that is where you are to begin. It also include:
– Access to the double portion of the properties of the father.
Deut 21:15-17

15 “If a man has two wives, one loved and the other unloved, and they have borne him children, both the loved and the unloved, and if the firstborn son is of her who is unloved,

16 then it shall be, on the day he bequeaths his possessions to his sons, that he must not bestow firstborn status on the son of the loved wife in preference to the son of the unloved, the true firstborn.

17 But he shall acknowledge the son of the unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.

– Rueben lost his-

Gen 49:3-4

3 “Reuben, you are my firstborn, My might and the beginning of my strength, The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.

4 Unstable as water, you shall not excel, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it — He went up to my couch.

– Esau sold his-
Gen 25:33
33 Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.

I. Judicial (official) authority of the Father.

2 Chron 21:3
3 Their father gave them great gifts of silver and gold and precious things, with fortified cities in Judah; but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn.

– By divine appointment Solomon instead of Adonijah was given it by King David.
1 Kings 1:5
5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king”; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
30 just as I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ so I certainly will do this day.”
– Shimri also got it.
1 Chron. 26:10
10 Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the first (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him the first),
II. Becomes the family priest.
– Rueben lost this to Levi-

NUM 3:12
12 “Now behold, I Myself have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the children of Israel. Therefore the Levites shall be Mine,
Num 8:18
8 I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn of the children of Israel.
III. Legal continuation of the family line.

Matt 1:3
3 Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram.

B. v29…but he drew back his hand …who is this fellow?
He was given the name Zerah meaning:
– Arise, shine as the rising sun, a light bringer.
– The name came because of the scarlet thread and it was signify to his destiny if he got the birthright.
IMPLICATION:
1. His destiny was such that if he did not withdraw or disqualify himself, he could not have been stopped by anyone.
2. Everything was going in support of him, but his lack of desire and persistence stopped him.
3. Zerah had a strong promise and bright future but could not deliver on it.
4. He can be compared to the children of Ephraim who had a great opportunity for victory but wasted it and could not deliver on it.

Ps 78:9-12
The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
10 They did not keep the covenant of God; they refused to walk in His law,
11 And forgot His works and His wonders that He had shown them.
12 Marvelous things He did in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
WHY?
– They chose not to keep aligned with the divine assignment.
– Refused to be responsible and live right.
– Chose to forget the previous testimonies and victories God gave them, so could not see the battle through.
– They drew back their hands.

C.What happens when the hands are drawn back?
a. You become “a would have been” e.g.
§ Zerah would have been in the direct lineage of Christ –
Matt 1:3
3 Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram.

§ Amnon would have succeeded David without any form of controversy. 2Sam 13&14.
§ Gehazi would have been one of the greatest prophets that ever lived. 2 Kings 5:20-27.
§ The rich young ruler was one of the very few that Jesus invited but he declined, drew back his hand because of his wealth and lost out on eternal riches. He would have probably been within Jesus inner cycle.

Dr. Udoh
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