A TALE OF A ONAN

• DAY 308
• FEAR FILE: ONAN
• SCRIPTURES: GENESIS 38:6-10

Then Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD killed him. And Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother.” But Onan knew that the heir would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother’s wife, that he emitted on the ground, lest he should give an heir to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the LORD; therefore He killed him also.

Onan was the second son of Judah and the second husband of Tamar. At the death of his older brother Er, it became his responsibility to marry his widow and bring forth a son who would be the heir to all the father’s estate. This law was called the Levirate Marriage Law.

However, Onan was not interested in fulfilling the dictates of this law. He was okay with playing husband and enjoying the sexual benefits but not so much with raising an heir, so he poured his semen on the ground instead of inside of her. He knew that if he raised an heir for the brother, that heir would inherit all his brother had and would receive from the father. God was displeased with his actions.

God Sees in Secret

He could have declined the offer and refused to take up his responsibility but he chose to be a coward instead. He chose to deceive everyone instead but God was seeing everything he was doing in secret. We deceive ourselves if we think we can do things in secret because nobody is watching so how would they know? How about God? His eyes are open, he sees all, knows all, and hears all.

Onan didn’t want anyone to know his true intentions, he hid his greed well and acted deceitfully. Such selfishness and wickedness displeases God. God hates a deceitful heart (proverbs 6:16-19). His actions cost him his life and made Tamar a second-time widow.

Beloved, do you know that it takes guts to live truthfully? Deception is easier than uprightness so many people choose it. Not many people are courageous enough to be straight with you but as a person of courage, you can be. You can say you don’t want to participate in what is required of you. That is more honorable. Yeah, it might cause some ruffle but at least we know where you stand. Don’t be two-faced like Onan because God would put to death things in your life. That’s if He doesn’t take your life.

May the Lord grant you the courage to live truthfully. Amen.

Shalom