THE GOD OF PEREZ

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Gen 34, Mark 5, Job 1, Romans 5

Genesis 38:29 and it came to pass, as he drew back his hand , that behold , his brother came out; and she said , How hast thou broken forth? This breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Perez.

Bible studies: Genesis 38:27-30

In our bible studies we read an account of events that took place in a particular labor room. Tamar the daughter in law of Judah was pregnant with twins and was putting to bed. The part of the baby that usually comes out first is the head and then the body. In this case one of the twins put out his hands first. The midwives then tied a scarlet on his wrist indicating he was the firstborn. The boy withdrew his hand and the midwives thought he was going to come out with the head but something shocking happened. The other twin in the womb came out instead. The midwives wondered out that happened? They literally asked the baby how he managed to do that i.e. this breach be upon you! They named him Perez. The other twin with the scarlet on his wrist came out and they called him Zerar.

At the beginning Zerar took the lead by putting out his hands and he was recognized immediately. They put a scarlet thread on his hands (form of an award). The midwives concluded he was the first born. They decided his destiny and put him ahead of his brother. As from that day, Zerar would always come before Perez. When it comes to inheritance, Zerar would get the lion share. When it comes speaking in the family, the opinion of Zerar will supersede that of his brother Perez. At that point, the destiny of Perez was also decided that he would be a follower all his life. Even if he tried, the best he can get is second. The God of Perez moved into action and changed things. Zerar withdrew his hands and Perez came out with the head making him the first born. The life of many can be compared to that of Perez; no one has ever paid attention to them because they felt they are second best. There are many who are unhappy because they consider themselves as been behind in life. They are yet to gain admission into the university while all their friends have all graduated and gotten jobs. They are single while their friends are now married with children. They are still applying for jobs while their friends are getting promotion at work or setting up their business and prospering. It is a bad place to be in life because people will start coming up with funny things. Some will say it is because you are too lazy or you are too proud that’s why you are single.At times people even attribute it to sin .The God of Perez is alive and He will help you in Jesus name. The meaning of Perez is making an opening through constant hammering. Whilst in the womb Perez did not give up. Despite the fact that Zerar had already put out his hands and had been recognized, he continued to make an effort. Perez also means to cause an interruption in a pattern. When you continue to make an effort you cause an interruption in pattern. Perez was a product of persistent effort and trust in the Lord. Psalm 25:3 says no one who trusts in the You will be disgraced. You may be behind today but as far as the God of Perez is concerned, the race is far from over. Keep working and trusting the Lord, I will soon hear your testimony, Amen.

KEY WORD: Perez was a product of persistence and trust in the Lord.