Overview
Er was Judah's eldest son, married to Tamar. The Scripture records that "Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord put him to death" (Genesis 38:7, ESV). Though the specific nature of his sin is not detailed, his swift judgment demonstrates God's intolerance of wickedness and His sovereign control over life and death.
Key Scriptures
"And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar" (Genesis 38:6, ESV).
"But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord put him to death" (Genesis 38:7, ESV).
"Judah said to Onan, 'Go in to your brother's wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother'" (Genesis 38:8, ESV).
Application
Er's account reminds believers that God judges sin seriously and that His purposes often work through circumstances we don't fully understand at the time.