Note
Expanded Wall Label:
The Scarlet Thread and The Golden Cord: Thirteen Women of the Hebrew Scriptures
Edgar G. Boevé
The writers of the Hebrew Scriptures give great attention to the women. They were totally involved in the lives of their men and are often the driving force of their lives together. These women were the mothers of the leaders of lsrael, God's chosen people. The scarlet thread defines the place of those women in the royal line of David. Other women were essential to saving the nation of Israel, therefore, the golden cord.
The intent of the thirteen fabric art works is to interpret the essential character of each woman who contributed to the royal line of the preservation of lsrael by texture, color and design through diverse fabrics gathered from around the world.
Tamar
Tamar was the daughter-in-law of Judah. She was married to the two oldest sons of Judah, both of whom were destroyed by God for sinfulness. According to Jewish law she should be married to the next brother but he was still a child. When the child, Shelah, grew up, Judah neglected his duty and did not fulfill his duty.
When Tamar heard that Judah, now a widower, had gone to shear his sheep, she removed her widow's robes and put on a harlot's veil concealing her identity as was the harlot's custom when seeking sexual intercourse. Tamar sat at the city gate and when Judah saw her he propositioned her. She demanded his signet and staff as security for his promised payment.
Three months later Tamar was discovered pregnant; Judah demanded that she be burned. However, Tamar produced his signet and staff proving that he was the father. Then Judah acknowledged, " ... she is more righteous than I, inasmuch as I did not give her my son Shelah" (Genesis 38:25). Tamar bore twins one of whom, Perez, became an ancestor of King David.
The Scarlet Thread continues.