I have just a couple of thoughts on the beginning of Joseph’s story. First, Joseph carried a bad report of his brothers to their father. Was Joseph just being a tattle tale, enjoying his status as favorite, putting the others down, the way kids can? Or was he legitimately reporting something he thought his father …
I wrote a page about the rape of Dinah before realizing what I really wanted to write about concerning this passage. The rape of Dinah is a very interesting story from a critical perspective that, in my experience, most churches shy away from discussing. There’s considerable debate about the language used as well as the …
This is the story of how Jacob worked for his uncle for twenty years and left with a couple wives, kids, and fairly large flocks of sheep and goats. Laban welcomed Jacob as a kinsman. Maybe he remembered the bride price he received for Rebekah and hoped for another. Maybe he was sincere. He agreed …
I found a wonderful article on the Jewish Theological Seminary from 2013 about the Biblical theme of the younger brother ruling over the older. The author points out that this theme is one of perceived weakness being made strong through the favor of God. A more recent article on the subject substantively agrees but goes …
Just a quick word about resources. If you’re going to go about the business of examining, understanding, and deepening your faith, you’re going to need quality resources. Sermons. Devotionals. Bible studies. Teachers. Commentaries. These are all pieces we use to construct our understanding of Scripture. Some people are so intimidated by the Bible that they …
Well, we actually have three chapters in a row of faithfulness. No one has messed up, altering the course of history through their impatience or fear. I can’t imagine Abraham’s full reaction to God’s request. Sacrifice Isaac? The son you made me wait for all those years? Sarah’s laughter and joy? Seriously? Was he angry? …
So…angels of the Lord come to your home. You know who they are. They tell you that your city is going to be destroyed, and you believe them. You even go tell your sons-in-law that everyone needs to leave. But…somehow, when it’s time to go, you just…linger. You drag your feet. You find things to …
I have a problem with Sarai and Hagar, Ishmael and Isaac. Walk through it with me. 1. Sarai has an Egyptian servant named Hagar. One article I read yesterday suggested they would not have had Hagar had Sarai not lived with Pharaoh, earning Abram favor, when Abram lied about being her brother instead of husband. …
Genesis 12:2-3 “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” …
I grew up in a fairly conservative home, but it wasn’t the most conservative I knew. For instance, we attended a very small private school to which my sister and I wore skirts. At home, we were allowed to wear pants and shorts, but when I went to play at my best friends house, I …