Pharaoh’s butler and baker are in prison and they both have dreams.  Joseph interprets their dreams; the butler is restored but the baker is hanged. Joseph makes clear that interpretation belongs to God, as 2 Peter 1 says, “No prophecy is of any private interpretation” and Luther taught, “The Bible interprets itself.” My experience has … Continue reading Podcast: Gen. 40:1-23

The Lord is with Joseph in Potiphar’s house and blesses him there, but Potiphar’s wife lusts after Joseph and then falsely accuses him when he refuses to commit adultery with her. Potiphar, in his anger, puts Joseph in prison.  But even (or especially) there, the Lord is with Joseph and blesses him there also. https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=24994314

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