Introduction The last time we studied the book of Genesis together we were on chapters 35 and 36. And do you remember the four 's'es from those two chapters? The first 's' was sin. After God commanded Jacob to go to Bethel, Jacob commanded the members of his family to get rid of their foreign … Continue reading Genesis 37 →

Introduction Genesis chapter 35 is quite unusual, because it seems to contain an assortment of stories and incidents and details that don't appear to have much connection with one another. It's almost as if Moses -- who wrote the book of Genesis under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- had all these loose ends … Continue reading Genesis 35+36 →

Introduction We come today to a difficult passage and to a strange one. You might even have been thinking, as I read the passage just now, why it's even in the Bible? Why are these things recorded for us? Why do we have to read this story of sex and violence? After all, if it … Continue reading Genesis 34 →

Review So, the story of Jacob is a story about God's electing grace. Before Jacob was born, while he was still in his mother's womb, the Lord made clear that he had chosen Jacob, and not his brother, Esau, to inherit the promises that the Lord had already given to Abraham and to Isaac: the … Continue reading Genesis 32 →

Review At the beginning of last week's sermon, I suggested that the story of Jacob is a story about God's electing grace. Before Jacob was born, while he was still in his mother's womb, the Lord made clear that he had chosen Jacob and not his brother, Esau. God would work out his great plan … Continue reading Genesis 31(17–55) →

Review We've been studying Jacob's life for a few weeks now. And, of course, it all started when he was still in his mother's womb, side by side with his twin brother, Esau. And the two of them were struggling with one another. Smashing each other. And do you remember? Rebekah was concerned, as any … Continue reading Genesis 30(25)–31(16) →

Review In chapter 28 we read how the Lord revealed himself to Jacob in a dream and promised to be with him and to watch over him wherever he went. The Lord promised never to leave Jacob. Well, in last week's passage, the name of the Lord was not mentioned, not even once. However, it … Continue reading Genesis 29(31)–30(24) →

Review One of the things we've been learning from the life of Jacob is what the Apostle Paul calls 'God's purpose of election'. Listen again to what Paul wrote in Romans 9: [W]hen Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good … Continue reading Genesis 28(10–22) →

Review Way back in the beginning, after God created Adam, he commissioned Adam to fill the earth and to subdue it. In other words, the Lord wanted Adam to fill the earth with people who would bear his image and who would be able, therefore, to reflect the glory of God on the earth. And … Continue reading Genesis 26(34)–28(09) →

Review Last time, when we were studying chapter 25, we read that Abraham died and his body was buried in the same place where his wife, Sarah, had been buried. And though he had other sons -- borne to him by Keturah his concubine and Hagar, Sarah's maidservant -- nevertheless, Isaac, the son Sarah bore … Continue reading Genesis 26 →