Tag: Genesis
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Genesis 38: Judah And Tamar
The wickedness of the family of Abraham reaches its full extent in Judah’s family. But Judah’s daughter-in-law Tamar takes extreme measures to preserve the Messianic line. At the end of the story, a scarlet thread provides a sign of how this promised seed bloodline that was hanging on by a thread would be redeemed. Sources:…
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Genesis 37: Joseph’s Betrayal
Joseph is a teenage shepherd who happened to have a couple dreams from God implying he would become a ruler. Naturally, he told his brothers who then plotted to kill him. Thankfully, they didn’t kill him but only faked his death and sold him into slavery instead. Where could God possibly be in this story?…
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Genesis 36: The Genealogy Of Esau
What seems like a long list of names actually reveals quite a bit about Esau’s life and his wives. We also get a strange story involving hot springs and a donkey randomly inserted for what seems like no reason. Sources: Sailhamer, J. H. (2008). The Expositor’s Bible Commentary (T. Longman & D. E. Garland, Eds.;…
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Genesis 35: A Life Poured Out
Jacob returns to Bethel where he finally fully dedicates his life to the Lord. Just like his father and grandfather, just after this expression of devotion, his dedication is tested. This time, the testing comes in the form of the deaths of three people close to him and a power grab from his oldest son.…
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Genesis 34: Vengeance On Shechem
Jacob’s daughter Dinah meets a man named Shechem who doesn’t understand the meaning of the word “No.” Dinah’s brothers Simeon and Levi find out and come up with a plan to deal with Shechem that escalates very quickly. Sources: Armstrong, S. (2012, October 28). Genesis 2011 – Lesson 34A. Verse By Verse Ministry International. https://versebyverseministry.org/lessons/genesis_2011_lesson_34a…
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Genesis 33: A Reunion Of Brothers
Jacob finally meets his brother Esau who has surprisingly forgiven him and no longer wants to kill him. But when Esau asks Jacob to return to Seir with him, Jacob once again deceives his brother into thinking he would follow him, and then goes the opposite direction. Sources: Sailhamer, J. H. (2008). The Expositor’s Bible…
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Genesis 32: Jacob’s Final Blessing
Jacob, after fleeing his uncle who wants to kill him, now finds out that his brother is headed this way who Jacob believes also wants to kill him. After making preparations to meet his brother, Jacob finds himself completely alone in the dead of night when a mysterious stranger approaches him and punches him right…
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Genesis 31: Jacob Departs From Laban
God told Jacob to return to his home so Jacob deceived Laban one last time and left without telling him. Laban found out and pursued Jacob with the intention of killing him. Now Jacob is stuck between an uncle who wants to kill him and a brother who wants to kill him. Sources: Wiersbe, W.…
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Genesis 30: A Nation Is Born
In the first half the chapter, the feud between Rachel and Leah escalates and their weapons are their children. But the author clearly shows preference for one sister over the other. In the second half, we’re treated to a strange story about a shepherd using sticks to make white sheep produce spotted offspring. Did Jacob…
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Genesis 29: A Deceived Deceiver
Jacob flees from his home and travels east to his uncle Laban where he meets Laban’s daughter Rachel. Jacob is immediately smitten so he negotiates a deal with Laban to work for seven years to marry his daughter. After the seven years are up Jacob takes his new wife into his tent but in the…
Beyond The Basics 