Introduction We've been thinking about the story of Joseph for a few weeks now. And we've been seeing how the history of Joseph's life reveals to us the history of our Lord's life. Joseph was his father's Beloved Son just as the Lord Jesus Christ is God the Father's Beloved Son. And just as Joseph … Continue reading Genesis 40+41 →

Introduction Last week we spent our time on Genesis 38 and the story of Judah and Tamar. And though it may seem that chapter 38 interrupts the story of Joseph which began in chapter 37 and resumes in chapter 39, nevertheless I explained last week that chapter 38 and the story of Judah and Tamar … Continue reading Genesis 39 →

Introduction A few weeks ago, when we were studying chapter 34, and the story of what Shechem the son of Hamor did to Jacob's daughter, Dinah, and what Jacob's sons did to the city of Shechem afterwards, I said it was the kind of chapter which makes you wonder why it's in the Bible. Why … Continue reading Genesis 38 →

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) →