Joseph shares his dreams with his brothers, and Joseph is sold to Potiphar in Egypt. Notice that a dream repeated means the thing is certain, as Joseph will explain to Pharaoh in time. Consider also how God trained Joseph in humility so that he would be the very best of rulers, second only to Pharaoh … Continue reading Podcast: Gen. 37:1-36

Jacob returns to Bethel.  Notice the idolatry always going on just beneath the surface.  Rachel dies as Benjamin is born; Isaac dies. Then the descendants of Esau are reviewed before we go on with our focus on the descendants of Jacob from whom will come the promised Savior. https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=24949440

Dinah goes to visit the women of the land and is violated when Hamor’s son, Schechem takes what is not his, though his love for her sounds genuine. Treachery, deceit, and revenge follow, climaxing when the sons of Jacob kill all the men of Schechem and take captive all the women, children, and property. https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=24937401

Jacob and Esau meet.   Note the value, propriety, and effectiveness of Jacob’s humility. https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=24912099

On his way home, Jacob wrestles with God. Note well, the Word of God comes to Jacob and they wrestle; Jacob will not let go of the Word until He blesses him. This is the seed on good ground in contrast to the seed on the path, on the rocks, or among the thorns. https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=24900879

Jacob flees from Laban, and Laban pursues him.  Listen carefully for the language about honesty about dependence on God, for the language of fear about depending on God, for the language of greed and insistence on selfish control. What do we learn from Rachel and the idol she stole? https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=24889161

Leah and Rachel compete for children; Jacob makes another deal with Laban. You don’t need to make a deal with God; you can’t count on a deal made with corrupt human nature. https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=24877674

Jacob meets Rachel, makes a bargain for her, gets four times more than he bargained for, and begins to have a family. https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=24866340

https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=24813618 Jacob goes to Laban’s and makes a vow on the way. Can we make deals with God?

https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=24801915 Isaac blesses Jacob, not Esau. Here is a typical scenario of human relationships--all the result of Esau’s appetite and ego concerning his birthright and Rebekah and Jacob doing what they can to make sure Esau doesn’t get away with it. Indeed, we weave tangled webs.