Hi all, new member here. Been reading through forum - nice.Been thinking about the Judah/Tamar situation (Genesis 38), where it seems that Judah needed to 'satisfy' some rather urgent needs (understandable for a bloke, after a hard day's work?). Judah, quite openly, perceives there to be a prostitue, makes good use of her - and promises (instead of instant payment for instant gratification) to send payment in form of a kid-goat after his return home. He get's his 'best friend & accomplice/confidante' Hirah the Adullamite to deliver the kid-goat - however, Hirah can't find the prostitute.Sometime later (3 months) Judah is told that his daughter-in-law Tamar has gotten pregnant by playing the harlot (widowed, not re-married), and gets ready to 'apply the law'. She reveals her reasons to him, etc ..... and all ends well.This situation raises a number of questions/points: How could it be that .....- Judah had no conscience problem employing the services of a whore?- Hirah had no problem letting his best friend go and be serviced by a whore?- The men around the area had no problem with Judah seeking the service of a whore?- The men had 'HUGE' problems, after finding out Tamar got pregnant by way of whoring?- Judah had 'HUGE' problems, after finding out about his daugther-in-law's whoring?- Judah was not shy to bring down the full weight of the law onto his daughter-in-law, and asked for her to be brought to him to be 'burned'?It leads to more questions re our perception of God/OT/NT and usual 'traditional' doctrines/interpretation of men calling themselves Christians:1. Cor 10:11 .... these things (OT) are to be considered as ensamples/examples to us .... (and more Scriptures to that effect)Usually Christians are told/taught that God can turn everything towards a positive .... and Christians should expect it too - isn't that too convenient an excuse?Above OT example shows that:- Judah didn't fear God or obey the law in many instances: - didn't keep his promise to Tamar- went whoring- wanted to punish Tamar for whoringAnd in spite of all this, it was in God's plan to bless the seed of Tamar/Judah mightily (Matthew 1:1-17) - so much so that she even gets a mention in the genealogy of King David & Jesus Christ!Hasn't the situation above not demonstrated clearly that God has NO problems blessing evil/sinning deeds - if it suits His purpose.?Obviously must be a hitch somewhere? ... or:- if one was to apply the law of Love/Grace (OT); why isn't it expressly stated in OT that God dealt both of the perpetrators some 'serious' GRACE?- what was the difference between King David's lust & murder (Bathsheba & Uriah) and Judah's lust/Tamar's revenge?- why did God have to destroy the fruit of sin (Bathsheba's first baby fathered by King David)?- why could God still go ahead and bless the 2nd son (King Solomon) resulting from an adulterous/murderous relationship?- maybe God was simply cynical and only 'used' King Solomon to bless Israel - when subsequently he lost his 'salvation' (not in Judaism) through whoring with many foreign concubines- when Jesus said that "...whosoever even looks at a woman, desiring her in his heart ... has committed adultery already ..." (Matt 5:27-28), maybe Judah wasn't really lusting after THE woman, but only needed sexual relief?- if the difference is in what our heart desires? That would provide an easy excuse for most 'lusters'. (..."I lusted only for sex - not the woman" ...)- I seriously doubt anyone would try to say that 'God' led Judah to commit whoring .... some may say that the 'Law' had not yet been established ....? On what basis then, were they ready to sentence Tamar but not Judah?- does God REALLY lead everything? Some like to claim that it is so, but insert a 'disclaimer' to say that other people (sinners) 'remove themselves' from God ... (1.John 2:19; Rom 11:22)Perhaps it is an individual's matter. Whoever is concerned about God's plan for his/her life, asks-seeks-knocks to find out directly from God. Once an answer has been received (checked with Scripture .... depending on the acceptance/rejection of a 'Spiritual Authority' of Paulinean interpretations & writings, etc.) it is followed. FAITH, is an all-justifying factor (Matt 21:21; and many more similar)Personal & individual faith then, automatically creates the rejection of the 'assumed spiritual authority' of so-called church leaders/preachers/pastors. That should be a good thing - God wants independent believers, not disciples of men (followers of men's doctrines).Perhaps the revelations of God in our own lives are just as valid as God's revelations to the men who wrote all epistles after Acts? Who could argue against it - surely Jesus only?......Couldn't it be rightfully argued that Judah/Tamar's example shows more that God does what HE wants, blesses whom HE wants - and that we can't decide/judge/advise beyond Christian basics for other people at all?More to the point: No man has apiritual authority over another! God has different standards, for different people, at different times! Hence anyone trying to create a doctrine from personal belief is ultimately wrong. What's good for one person is not necessarrily profitable for another. That also includes Paul and all other apostles then & now. Any doctrine outside Jesus' words only serves to create spiritual crutches for 'wannabe-christians' who need someone elses vision/revelation to make up for the lack of input of God in their own life. Not really what Christianity is about! ......of course, there are many more questions to be raised re modern christianity & mainstream churches/preachers' abuse of their false authoritybut I think these thoughts could make a good starting pointthanksJules