From Sister in Law to wife

From sister in law to wife

Genesis 38:9 (NASB95) — 9 Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so when he went in to his brother’s wife, he wasted his seed on the ground in order not to give offspring to his brother.

this story may be unpopular in Sunday school but it's important here is our first encounter with the levirate marriage. levirate is from the Latin levir (“brothers wife”) in Hebrew the verb is yavam (“to consummate a marriage with a brother in Law”), related to y’vamah (brother’s widow”). the law is this; if a brother dies without leaving offspring his surviving brother marries the widow (Deuteronomy 25:5-10) their child will carry on the name and inheritance of the deceased brother. This is why Onan wasted his semen. He didn't want to impregnate Tamar tomorrow and thus give offspring to his brother. He wanted all the inheritance to himself.

With this Law this in mind the Sadducees challenge Jesus with the story of the widow who married seven brothers in a row each one died none having offspring (Matthew 22: 23 – 33). “Whose wife will she be in the resurrection?” They demand they demand to know. Silly Sadducees. They knew neither scriptures nor the power of God. Wedding rings won't adorn resurrected fingers. Marriages and baby making will be over in the new Jerusalem, for we will be the children of God and members of the bride of Jesus Christ.

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[1]Unfailing mercy Chad Bird Page 50