There’s an interesting parallel I’d like to draw attention to in Genesis. They involve two different digressions that happen within the two major stories of Genesis.
Story 1 – Abraham
- Story of Abraham begins (chapters 12-18)
- Digression about Lot and his daughters (chapter 19)
- Story of Abraham continues (chapters 20-24)
Story 2 – Joseph
- Story of Joseph begins (chapter 37)
- Digression about Judah and Tamar (chapter 38)
- Story of Joseph continues (chapters 39-50)
These digressions parallel each other like so:
| Lot & Daughters | Judah & Tamar |
| Focus on main character – a brother’s son | Focus on main character – a brother |
| A seduction story | A seduction story |
| Women seduce their father | A woman seduces a father-in-law |
| Women trick a man b/c they fear he won’t go along with it | Woman tricks man b/c she fears he won’t go along with it |
| Women’s motive: Trying to make sure human race isn’t wiped out | Woman’s motive: Trying to make sure her husband’s legacy isn’t wiped out |
| Man’s motives are less pure | Man’s motives are less pure |
| Two children born: Amon & Mo’av | Two children born: Peretz & Zerach |
| Descendant of Mo’av = Ruth | Descendant of Peretz = Boaz |
The two digressions come together in the story of
Ruth.
The story of Lot and his daughters is a corrupted version of the kinsman redeemer, while Judah and Tamar play out an imperfect version. But finally, the story of Ruth is a version built around love and mercy.