Today's readings are Gen 43-45. Judah and Reuben were the ones who tried to defend Joseph against the brothers' plans to do him harm (Gen 37:21, 26). Now they are the two who attempt to save the family and preserve Benjamin. Reuben made his plea in G [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
Today's readings are Gen 41-42.In Gen 41 and 42, we see the familiar story of the worldwide famine that leads to Joseph's brothers coming to Egypt in search of food. Notice that Joseph was unjustly thrown in prison (Gen 39:19-20). While he was in the [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
Today's readings are Gen 38-40.Look at the people in these closing chapters of Genesis carefully. We're looking at the pillars of the Bible, the foundations of our faith, the revered names and places we all know. We see them for exactly who they... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
Today's readings are Gen 35-37. In Gen 35, we see another altar built, this one in Bethel. The promise made to Abraham, then Isaac is passed on to Jacob (Gen 35:11-12). Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin. The twelve sons, from four different mother [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
Today's readings are Gen 32-34. In Gen 32, Jacob decides to return to his homeland, the land of promise (follow the blue line on the map below.) He hears his brother is coming and immediately freaks out. BTW, any of us who ever thought they had a... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
Today's readings are Gen 30-31.Jacob's life, so far, is fraught with tension, jealousy, suspicion and manipulation, much of it brought down on himself by his own actions. Yet, Jacob is the son of the promise! God is faithful to Jacob! This is the... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
Today's readings are Gen 27-29.In Gen 25:23, God promised Rebekah that Esau would serve Jacob. Jacob gave up his birthright in Gen 25:31-33. In Gen 27, this promise comes full circle when, through deception, Rebekah and Jacob conspire for Jacob... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
Today's readings are Gen 25-26.In Gen 25, after Sarah dies, Abraham takes a concubine and continues to produce offspring, though none are as favored as Isaac, who is blessed by God after Abraham dies (Gen 25:11). Isaac's wife, Rebekah, is barren... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
Today's readings are Gen 19-21. Tomorrow's are Gen 22-24. As judgment approaches Sodom in Gen 19 we see that Lot appears to be the only righteous man living in that city (Gen 19:4). God destroys the city but spares Lot, his wife and his daughters, pr [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
Today's readings were Gen 22-24.Notice a few things as we go through Abraham's story. First, for all the false accusations we hear about the God of the Old Testament (OT) being angry and the God of the New Testament being about love, we see incredibl [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
