"What's the Scoop on........Tamar"

Tuesday in bible study Annie’s lesson was on Tamar, the daughter of King David.  There is no way to get around it…..Tamar’s story is a hard one.  As Annie went through the tragic events of Tamar’s life she was able to bring a thought provoking perspective and words of encouragement.

Here’s her story: Tamar’s mother was a princess from a land neighboring Israel. She was also a daughter of King David, making her a princess of Israel, where she lived in her father’s household. Tamar had a half-brother named Amnon who lived in the palace as well. His father was also King David.  Amnon manipulated circumstances in order to get Tamar alone where he raped her.  Tamar pleaded with Amnon to marry her to alleviate her shame yet he cast her out in disgrace.  Her full brother Absalom took Tamar into his own home where she lived as a desolate woman.  Scripture tells us that although King David was very angry at Amnon for what he had done, he took no action.

Tamar was a princess who was defiled.  Based on what we read in scripture it seems like Tamar lived out her life in shame. She saw herself  through the filter of her victimization.

We may also see ourselves in a similar fashion.  Like Tamar, we may have suffered abuse, and wear that label.  The world also puts unrealistic expectations upon us.   Perfection is the ideal – not just our outward appearance but in all our roles as women.  We may measure ourselves against this standard, falling far short.  But is this who we truly are?

If we belong to God, we too are princess of our King.  What does it mean to be a princess? We may have visions of beauty, grace, and privilege but it means so much more than that.  Annie quoted from John and Staci Eldredge’s book Captivating, “A woman is a warrior too. But she is meant to be a warrior in a uniquely feminine way. Sometime before the sorrows of life did their best to kill it in us, most young women wanted to be a part of something grand, something important.”

How God  sees us, no matter what the world will bring upon us,  as a cherished, beautiful woman.  Annie gave a great analogy: you might be called a chair and someone might actually sit on you but that does not make you a chair. Who we are as women is who God says we are. No one else has that power. 

God has quite a bit to say about shame:

“Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs” (Isaiah 61:7).

“As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame”” (Romans 10:11).

“For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:6).

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship (‘daughtership)’. Because you are his sons (daughters), God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave (to abuse, rape, statistics, the world), but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir” (Galatians 4:4-8, Annie’s emphasis).

I want to mention something else, my dear sisters.  The abuse Tamar suffered was terrible and she was forever changed by this.  Annie spoke with compassion for those of us who may have suffered in a similar way.  There is no easy formula for healing.  God’s power, His love and His Word can do amazing miracles in people’s lives. On Tuesday mornings Arlene has been speaking on ‘The Bible Memorization Project – the Sequel’.  God’s Word is powerful and as we hide it in our hearts we are better able to stand against the onslaughts of the enemy.  Annie gave us some great verses on shame.  If this is something you struggle with – hold on to what God has to say and take it in your heart.

“Those who look to Him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame” (Psalm 34:5).