Have you ever wondered who was Perez in the Bible? He's one of those characters whose name appears in important genealogies, yet many people overlook his remarkable story. His birth involved unusual circumstances that demonstrate God's surprising ways.

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Though his beginnings were complicated, Perez became part of the royal lineage that eventually led to King David and ultimately to Jesus Christ. His story reminds us that God can use unexpected people to accomplish His wonderful plans.

Who Was Perez in the Bible?

Chapter 1: An Unusual Family Situation

I want to tell you about a boy named Perez who was born in a very complicated family situation. His father was Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (also called Israel). His mother was Tamar, who had first been married to Judah's oldest son - Er.

The Bible tells us in Genesis 38 that Judah had three sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah. Judah arranged for his firstborn son Er to marry a woman named Tamar. But something terrible happened: "Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the LORD's sight; so the LORD put him to death" (Genesis 38:7).

According to the customs of that time, when a man died without having children, his brother was supposed to marry his widow and have children with her. These children would then carry on the dead brother's name and inheritance. So Judah told his second son, Onan, "Go sleep with your brother's wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to raise up offspring for your brother" (Genesis 38:8).

But Onan didn't want to provide children that wouldn't be considered his own, so he disobeyed. "But Onan knew that the child would not be his; so whenever he slept with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from providing offspring for his brother" (Genesis 38:9). God was not pleased with Onan's selfish actions, so He put him to death also.

Chapter 2: Tamar's Desperate Plan

After losing two husbands, Tamar was promised that when the youngest son Shelah grew up, she could marry him. But time passed, and Judah didn't keep his promise. Tamar realized she needed to take matters into her own hands if she was ever going to have children.

When Tamar heard that Judah was traveling to shear his sheep, she removed her widow's clothes, covered herself with a veil, and sat by the road where Judah would pass. Judah didn't recognize her and thought she was a prostitute. He approached her, not realizing this was his daughter-in-law.

Before anything happened, Tamar was clever enough to ask for a pledge until Judah could send payment: "Your seal and its cord, and the staff in your hand" (Genesis 38:18). These items were like personal identification – similar to someone's driver's license or signature today.

Later, when Judah sent a friend to deliver payment and retrieve his personal items, the woman couldn't be found. About three months later, Judah was told, "Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant" (Genesis 38:24).

Judah, not knowing he was the father, was angry and said, "Bring her out and have her burned to death!" But Tamar produced the seal, cord, and staff, saying, "I am pregnant by the man who owns these… See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are" (Genesis 38:25).

Judah recognized them and admitted, "She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah" (Genesis 38:26). This was a brave moment of truth and confession from Judah.

Chapter 3: The Unexpected Birth

When it was time for Tamar to give birth, everyone was surprised – she was having twins! During the delivery, something very unusual happened.

"As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist and said, 'This one came out first.' But when he drew back his hand, his brother came out, and she said, 'So this is how you have broken out!' And he was named Perez" (Genesis 38:28-29).

The name Perez means "breaking out" or "breach." Even though his brother Zerah had started to come out first (putting out his hand), Perez pushed ahead and was actually born first. This unexpected switch during birth became part of his very name and identity!

Chapter 4: From Scandal to Royal Lineage

You might think that a child born under such unusual circumstances would be forgotten in history. But God had amazing plans for Perez! His descendants would become extremely important in the history of Israel and in God's plan to save the world.

The Book of Ruth specifically mentions Perez in the genealogy of King David: "May your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah" (Ruth 4:12). Then it lists his descendants: "This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram…" and it continues until reaching David (Ruth 4:18-22).

Most amazingly, in the New Testament, Perez is directly named in the genealogy of Jesus Christ! "…Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron…" (Matthew 1:3). This means that Perez, born through such complicated circumstances, became an ancestor of the Messiah!

Perez's story shows us that God's plans are bigger than human mistakes or messy situations. From a situation that seemed scandalous came a boy who would be part of the kingly lineage that eventually led to Jesus Christ Himself.

What Can We Learn About Perez?

1. God works through unexpected people - Perez wasn't born in ideal circumstances, yet God included him in the lineage of King David and Jesus. This reminds us that God can use anyone, regardless of their beginnings.
2. Names have meaning - Perez was named for breaking out or making a breach during birth. This seemingly small detail was recorded in Scripture and became part of his identity. Even our names and unique characteristics matter to God.
3. Family lines matter to God - The Bible carefully traces Perez's descendants. God works through families across generations, showing His faithfulness isn't limited to one person or one lifetime.
4. God's plans prevail despite human failings - The circumstances of Perez's conception involved deception and moral failure, yet God still worked through this situation. God's purposes cannot be thwarted, even by our mistakes.
5. Every person has a place in God's story - Perez might seem like a minor biblical character, but he had an important role in God's plan of redemption. No one is insignificant in God's eyes.

Would you like to learn about another fascinating Bible character? Check out the story of Ruth, a foreign woman who became the great-grandmother of King David and is also mentioned in Jesus's family tree along with Perez!