Dreams and more dreams. God provides insights to Joseph that eventually lead to his rise to second in command in Egypt. Pretty amazing. But note that it also takes a while, the cupbearer forgetting about Joseph's request to talk about Joseph to pharaoh. And as these dreams of pharaoh are fulfilled, so too Joseph's earlier … Continue reading Genesis 40-42, Psalm 14 →

Joseph's story begins in these chapters, and we see from the very beginning that he will lead a God blessed life, even during hard moments. However, I want to just mention briefly that the story of Judah and Tamar tells us a very important concept present in the story of Israel. And that is that … Continue reading Genesis 37-39, Psalm 13 →

In these chapters Jacob returns "home" to face his brother Esau. He's definitely worried about what will happen and chooses to interpret Esau's actions as a threat. Turns out, as nearly as we can tell, that Esau is glad to see Jacob returning. Jacob is wealthy in the way that wealth was measured during this … Continue reading Genesis 33-36, Psalm 12 →

More deception, and more deception. And lots of kids. And in our minds, a good bit of promiscuity. Of note, in the custom of the day a marriage wasn't fully confirmed until the birth of a son. This meant that Jacob couldn't have left with Rachel until Joseph was born, and God doesn't urge Jacob … Continue reading Genesis 30-32, Psalm 11 →

The story of Jacob and Rachel and Leah will continue past these three chapters, but I say now that there is a lot of deception in Jacob's rise to the head of Isaac's clan. Jacob is not only the deceiver, but also the deceived. The bible tells it like it was. We can still be … Continue reading Genesis 27-29, Psalm 10 →

The story of Abraham's servant finding Isaac's wife Rebekah catches my attention in the reading today. We hear the servant's request of God to help him find the right woman, that is give me a sign, an oracle. Rebekah responds in just the way the servant had asked of God. Then it's all repeated to … Continue reading Genesis 24-26, Psalm 9 →

What caught my eye in these passage were two things. First, the obligation to show hospitality is demonstrated twice, once by Abraham and once by Lot. They are both very insistent that these visitors (the Lord and two angels?) accept their offering of a great meal, and a place to lodge. The offering of the … Continue reading Genesis 18-20, Psalm 7 →

Not for the first time God talks to Abram about the multitude of descendants he will have and phrases it this way: 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Genesis 15:5, NRSVUE Count … Continue reading Genesis 15-17, Psalm 6 →

Look at God's actions after the scattering at Babel. He chooses Abram, saying "I will make of you a great nation...." (Genesis 12:2a NRSVUE) A look at Deuteronomy 32:8-9 helps us understand what is going on here. 8 When the Most High apportioned the nations,    when he divided humankind,he fixed the boundaries of the peoples    according to the number … Continue reading Genesis 12-14, Psalm 5 →