A Seal, A String, and A Stick

One would think that in this Torah portion I would focus on Joseph, but for some reason I am being drawn to the story of Judah and Tamar. I think it's because the story is so strange and because of the Messiah element. Judah and Tamar's son Perez is the great great...grandfather of Jesus.

Gen. 38:18 "He said, 'What pledge shall I give you?' She said, 'Your seal and your cord and your staff that is in your hand.'"

These three items were needed for the conception of the next person in the line of Messiah (Perez) as well as for the preservation of his life (38:25). I think that these three items, as well as the three items in the ark in the Holy of Holies, are a picture of Messiah and his role as priest-king.

The signet/seal: Hebrew - Chotam. This word is used to describe the seal of a king. It is also used to describe the engravings of the names of the twelve tribes of Israel on the jewels on the High Priest's breastplate. It is also used to describe the plate on which is written "Holy to LORD" that goes on the High Priest's forehead.

The cord: Hebrew - Pateel. This word is used for the cords that were used to fasten the breastplate and crown which the High Priest wore. And remember the tzitzit? The blue cord that I said is a picture of Messiah is a blue pateel.

The staff: Hebrew - Mattah/Matteh. Anytime you see staff or branch, it's probably a picture of Messiah. In Jewish thought, The Branch is another word for Messiah. The same word is used for Aaron's staff that budded proving his authority to be High Priest and also proved Moses' authority to lead the people. Moses' staff was used to deliver/save the people of Israel. I'll surely talk a lot more about the staff later.

So there you have it, ancestors and pictures of Messiah.
One more thing.

A central theme in this passage is the law/custom of the "duty of a brother-in-law" or "kinsman redeemer" which is also a theme of the story of Ruth and Boaz. Boaz was a great grandson of Perez and great grandfather of David and therefore in the line of Messiah. And you probably already know how the kinsman redeemer relates to Jesus and his mission. Okay, cool stuff. That's all for now.