Genesis 31:17-55 In these Jacob-chapters of Genesis, we have repeatedly seen Jacob assume that the blessings in his life – the wives and children, the wealth in flocks and herds, the protection from Laban – were the results of his own decisions and actions. In truth, God was the...
Genesis 30:25-43Undeserved Blessing In this passage, two master tricksters – Jacob and Laban – make a business deal involving flocks of sheep and goats. Then each man slyly tries to gain advantage over the other. Before the deal can be implemented, Laban removes the spotted and...
POLAND It was a joy and a privilege to spend time with Pastor Jan Tomczyk from Bydgoszcz, Poland, and Russ Brown of Poland Evangelical Mission over the weekend. I hope you will use this Poland Edition of the blog to spend some concentrated time in prayer for Poland, for the church in Poland, and...
Genesis 29:31 – 30:24Jacob’s Children Jacob’s two wives had legitimate problems. Leah felt great sadness because her husband did not love her. Rachel was disappointed because she was barren. But their problems did not drive them toward God. They ran in the opposite...
Genesis 29:1-30A Man Reaps What He Sows I was impressed by the insights Pastor Dave shared from a detailed comparison of a servant’s journey to Paddan-aram seeking a wife for Isaac and Jacob’s journey to the same place also seeking a wife. Lord, remind us that Your word is...
Genesis 28:1-22Between a Rock and a Hard Place Isaac was determined that his son Jacob, the recipient of the covenant blessings, would not marry a Canaanite woman and sent him to find a wife from among Rebekah’s people. We, as believers, are also not to be unequally yoked. Pastor Dave...
Genesis 27:30-46 The failures of Yahweh’s earliest covenant partners – the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – point out humanity’s desperate need for a Savior to institute a new covenant. We sinners are incapable of being faithful covenant partners and of...
Genesis 27:1-29This Is a Mess! Rebekah instigated and plotted the masquerade. Jacob piled lie on lie to deceive. Esau despised his birthright. Isaac was ruled by his physical appetites. All were messed up people. As Pastor Shannon aptly expressed it, the claws of sin had dug into each one...
Genesis 26:17-35The God of Abraham God didn’t call Himself “the God of Abraham” or orchestrate the events of Isaac’s life to echo events of his father’s life because Abraham, not Isaac, was His first-best favorite. Rather, He wanted Isaac to know that He...
Genesis 26:1-16Déjà Vu, All Over Again Pastor Dave detailed nine aspects of this narrative about Isaac that are repetitions of events in his father Abraham’s life. Our first reaction to the passage is to dismiss it as redundant and tedious. Thank God for church...