When going through the genealogy of Jesus Christ, you will come upon the name of Perez.
Little is known about him, but what is interesting is how the Lord chose him for the passing on of the covenant blessing.
He appears in the book of Genesis, and is a son of Judah and Tamar, who tricked Judah (the father of her deceased husband) into having sexual intercourse.
When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, since she had covered her face. So he went over to her at the roadside and said, “Come, let me have intercourse with you,” for he did not realize that she was his daughter-in-law.
Genesis 38:15-16
Later Judah realized the deception, and nearly punished Tamar. However, he had mercy on Tamar and accepted the twin sons as his own.
When the time of her delivery came, there were twins in her womb. While she was giving birth, one put out his hand; and the midwife took and tied a crimson thread on his hand, noting, “This one came out first.” But as he withdrew his hand, his brother came out; and she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” So he was called Perez [which in Hebrew means “to burst forth“].
Genesis 38:27-29
It is interesting to see such an unusual situation form part of Jesus’ genealogy. Perez became an ancestor of King David, and thus of Jesus himself. It certainly isn’t “perfect” or “pure,” but reminds us of God’s mercy and how everyone has a part to play in salvation history, even those who make mistakes.
God can turn our mistakes to work for his divine plan, finding light in the darkness.
