Why did God consider Onan's actions in Genesis 38:10 as evil? Setting the Scene in Genesis 38 Judah’s firstborn, Er, dies because of wickedness (Genesis 38:7). By custom, Judah tells Onan, the second son, to raise offspring for his brother with Tamar (Genesis 38:8). The Covenant Significance of Children • God’s promise to Abraham involves a physical “seed” (Genesis 12:7). • Preserving the family line safeguards both inheritance and the messianic lineage (Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:16). • Blocking that line is therefore more than a private family matter; it strikes at God’s redemptive plan. The Levirate Duty • Later codified in Deuteronomy 25:5-10, the responsibility of a surviving brother was to father a child with the widow so the deceased’s name “will not be blotted out from Israel” (v. 6). • The practice existed earlier, as shown here with Judah’s command. Onan’s Deliberate Act “Whenever he had relations with his brother’s wife, he spilled his seed on the ground so that he would not give offspring to his brother” (Genesis 38:9). He knowingly: – Used Tamar sexually while refusing the duty attached to that privilege. – Sought personal gratification without covenantal responsibility. – Chose repeated deceit, not a single lapse. Why God Called It Evil (Genesis 38:10) “What he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, so He put Onan to death as well.” • Open Rebellion – Onan heard Judah’s clear instruction and ignored it (cf. Luke 12:47). • Covenant Sabotage – By denying a child, he threatened the line through which God would ultimately send the Messiah (Genesis 49:10; Matthew 1:3). • Theft and Exploitation – He took the physical benefits of marriage while stealing the widow’s legal protection and future (Exodus 22:22-24). • Greed – A child attributed to Er would reduce Onan’s own inheritance; he placed material gain above obedience (Proverbs 15:27). • Sexual Sin – The intentional wasting of seed was not mere contraception; it was a symbol of contempt for God-ordained purpose in marital intimacy (Hebrews 13:4). Related Biblical Echoes • Deuteronomy 25:5-10 underscores God’s seriousness about preserving a brother’s name. • Ruth 4:5-10 shows Boaz willingly embracing the same duty, contrasting Onan’s selfishness. • Malachi 2:15 warns that God seeks “godly offspring,” tying faithfulness in marriage to His larger plan. Timeless Lessons • God judges hidden motives as well as visible actions (1 Samuel 16:7; Hebrews 4:13). • Self-serving misuse of God’s gifts invites discipline (Acts 5:1-5). • Covenant faithfulness matters; each generation plays a role in God’s unfolding purposes (Psalm 78:5-7). Concluding Insights Onan’s sin was not merely a private moral failure; it was conscious rebellion that jeopardized God’s covenant agenda, exploited a vulnerable woman, and revealed a heart ruled by self-interest. God’s swift judgment affirms the seriousness of disregarding His purposes for family, inheritance, and the sacredness of life. |
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