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Rev. Joey N. Welsh, May 14, 2006. Some Twins, Birthday Appreciation If you enjoy Another Angle: The Occasional Musings of a Kentucky pastor search on Rev. Joey N. Welsh in the ColumbiaMagazine.com Site Menu search box for archived columns. Or, Click on this ColumbiaMagazine.com Quick Link: Another Angle: Rev. Joey N. Welsh,and scroll past photos to stories listings Some Biblical Twins, Some 20th Century Twins, and a Birthday Appreciation joey_n_welsh@hotmail.com There aren't many twins mentioned in the Bible, and the ones who are noted are a troubled, conflicted lot. Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25 and following) were competitors in the womb, and their conflict continued into their adult life. The disciple of Jesus, Thomas (also called Didymus - or "the twin") is known to us primarily as Doubting Thomas because of events related to us in John 20. We are told nothing of Thomas twin. The other biblical twins that occur to me are the sons of Tamar, Pharez and Zerah (Genesis 38). The tangled conflict of Jacob and Esau is nothing compared to the circumstances and parentage of Tamar's twins. Tamar's father in law, Judah, was a son of Jacob by his wife Leah. Jacob had 11 other sons: five more by Leah, two by his other wife, Rachel, two by Rachel's handmaid (Bilhah) and two by Leahs handmaid (Zilpah). Jacob got around. Jacob's proclivities are only the beginning of the saga, however. Judah fathered three sons: Er, Onan and Shelah. Er, the oldest, married Tamar. Er was struck down by God for being evil. The custom of the day called for the next brother, Onan, to impregnate the widowed Tamar and produce offspring who would be considered the heirs of Er, his late brother. Onan was unhappy that his children would be considered legally the kids of his dead brother. Onan cooperated to a point, but never long enough to close the deal; instead he "spilled his seed on the ground." (Genesis 38:9) For his disobedience Onan was struck down by God, and Onan's story has been used across the millennia since as a cautionary tale against birth control and against sexual activity not intended for procreation. At this juncture the plot really thickens. Tamar is assured that the remaining brother, a very young Shelah, will fulfill his brotherly duty when he matures. This doesn't happen as promised, even after the boy has become a man. Childless Tamar springs into action, pretends to be a prostitute, keeps her face veiled and is "visited" by father in law Judah. Tamar makes off with Judah's signet, bracelets and staff he has left as collateral while he is off selecting a young goat to pay for the transaction. Months later, Judah discovers that his daughter-in-law is pregnant and prepares for her to be dragged off to be burned, until she proves that Judah is the father by producing his personal items. Judah repents, and the twins are born. Tamar is woven into the ancestral history of Joseph, who is betrothed to Mary, as recorded in the genealogy in Matthew 1. As I recount the heritage of Tamar and her twins, it occurs to me that people who want 21st century families to abide by biblical standards would do well to hope that people don't choose to emulate Judah and his extended family, selecting them as their role models. Fortunately for us, not all twins are noted primarily for their difficult and conflicted circumstances. We know some twins because they are talented - very, very talented. Tomorrow, May 15, marks the birth date of some superbly talented twins who were born 80 years ago in Liverpool, England. The boys, Anthony and Peter by name, both survived some challenging, rigorous years in boarding school and some World War II work in the coal mines, replacing regular miners who were fighting in the war. They both went to Trinity College of Cambridge University. Anthony studied law, while Peter studied history. Neither thrived in careers for which their educations prepared them. By the mid-1950's Peter had begun writing plays, and Anthony was in advertising, though he later worked in film and television, eventually becoming a playwright as well. The twins, Anthony and Peter Shaffer, went on to write some of the most vivid, entertaining and thought-provoking plays of the late 20th century. Peter was the playwright of about 20 works for theatre, including:
Anthony Shaffer (1926-2001) wrote some wonderful screen dialogue based on Agatha Christie material, did the screenplay for Alfred Hitchcock's Frenzy near the close of that director's career, and did the screenplay for The Wicker Man (1973). That film, now thought of as a cult classic, captures the gathering Celtic gloom as a visiting cop investigates a murder on an isolated island, becoming ensnared in the evil cultic practices of the folks there. It is rather like the famous Shirley Jackson short story, "The Lottery," in its mysterious and threatening atmosphere. But most of all, Anthony Shaffer is famous for his play Sleuth (1970), perhaps the most tense and finely crafted thriller ever to grace the stage. (Also a Tony winner for Best Play, it was done in Horse Cave during the 1992 season). Another of his plays, Murderer, will be at Horse Cave this fall; performances begin October 13 and run in repertory through November 19. Murderer is a play that begins with an edgy, prolonged - 30 minutes or so - period of action and plot presented without dialogue. Anthony Shaffer could do heart-stopping plot twists! The two brothers together could make people laugh or cry or wince or think, all through the power of their words. Actually, they still do wherever their plays are performed. And the Shaffer magic will be revived on stage in Horse Cave again this fall. On their 80th birthday, my thanks, greetings and best wishes go to Peter. My gratitude goes to Anthony for a course well run and a job well done. As far as the rest of you, perhaps I'll get to see you in the audience this season at Kentucky Repertory Theatre at Horse Cave. NEXT WEEK: Peter Shaffer, some truths he has learned and some truths he has shared in his 80 years This story was posted on 2006-05-14 00:10:00
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Have comments or corrections for this story? Use our contact form and let us know. More articles from topic Kentucky:
Garlin man quoted on indictment of Gov. Fletcher Rev. Joey N. Welsh, May 7, 2006. Remembrance of Juleps Past Adair photographers return with exciting photos from Kentucky Horse Park REV. JOEY N. WELSH. April 30, 2006. A Different Kind of Ceremony Retire the thought of retirement for 83-year-old state worker Adair County competing for two of six 2006 PRIDE Envi Awards Tara Elizabeth Conner, Russell Springs, KY crowned Miss USA Plant a tree for Earth Day from the Salato Wildlife Center Nominations being accepted for 2006 Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards Salato Center Brown Bag Luncheon for birders April 12, 2006 View even more articles in topic Kentucky |
 
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