I will be honest with you. I’ve struggled with Jacob’s character during this study of Genesis. He was not an easy person to like, and as the story progressed, I found him to be more and more complicated. Thankfully, Jacob’s failings and weaknesses didn’t surprise God, nor do mine. That’s another problem with Jacob—the more … More Gems from Genesis: Chapter 48
Many of us grew up watching M.A.S.H., a TV show about a medical unit during the Korean conflict. To say it was a comedy almost sounds sacrilegious, but it was, and aired for over ten years, becoming an American classic. In that series, writers showed both the horrors and mundaneness of war and the coping … More Christmas in a War Zone
The forty-seventh chapter of Genesis is full of gems, so it’s hard to choose on which to focus. However, since we’ve journeyed together through Jacob’s complicated life, I want us to look at his encounter with Pharaoh. The first astounding thing is that this meeting happens in the first place. Who is Jacob, after all? … More Gems from Genesis: Chapter 47
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; “he will lead them to springs of living water.” “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17 (NIV) Eliza Hewitt wrote the well-known hymn that conveys our future outlook. The first line reads: “When we all get to … More Relief
This chapter of Genesis shows a revived Jacob making the trek down to Egypt. Before he leaves the land completely, he stops at Beersheba to offer sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. Through this act of obedience, God speaks in one last vision to Israel, confirming his will in all that was happening. … More Gems from Genesis: Chapter 46
I was recently sitting in the Heathrow airport. Masses of people were literally passing all around me. People from nations too numerous to count. For anyone who serves in cross-cultural ministry, this is a common sight. Travel takes us to some of the busiest airports of the world. After years of service, we no longer … More The Nations
The wall of mystery completely breaks down in chapter forty-five, as Joseph sends the servants out of the room and reveals himself to his brothers through tears of joy. Shocked by this revelation, the sons of Jacob aren’t sure what to do, but Joseph brings them close with words of comfort. This is where we … More Gems from Genesis: Chapter 45
Life (according to the faith) is very like a serial story in a magazine: life ends with the promise (or menace) “to be continued in our next.” G. K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy For those of us who have never read a serial story in a magazine, I will change Chesterton’s illustration to one of a binge-able … More Rejoicing and Mourning
The one who willingly sold one brother would be the same to offer himself for the life of another. Judah had come a long way, and Genesis 44, shows us just how far. … More Gems from Genesis: Chapter 44
Why are networkers an important part of Kingdom work? Because they are uniquely gifted to pull a wide-variety of people together for the same goal. Are you a networker? … More Blessed Are the Networkers