Genesis 35:22 “What Growth Looks Like, part 2” Today we begin looking at what will be seven stages of growth as demonstrated through the life of Jacob. After a short review stage one will be introduced by defining some key terms that we will be using through-out our discussion of the seven stages. […]
Genesis 35:22 “What Growth Looks Like, part 1” We are taken back by Jacob’s lack of response to Reuben’s actions. We have looked at why we feel left hanging. The silence of the text begs the question, “what is going on inside Jacob?” One thing is certain; the latter Jacob is different than […]
Genesis 35:22 “So, What happened?” Our current focus is on verse 22 of Chapter 35. Reuben’s action is disturbing however what seems more disturbing is the lack of information that follows verse 22. There is no reaction. There is no commentary. As a reader we are crying out, “so, what happened!” In my […]
Genesis 35:22 “Left Hanging” Today we plan to look at this troubling verse. It’s troubling because of the actions stated within the verse but even more so because of what follows, or better, what doesn’t follow within the text. Today’s introduction will give us opportunity to place this occasion within the context of […]
Genesis 35:16-21 “Touchy, Feely” We as men naturally shy away from touchy feely kind of things. It is not that we don’t feel because we certainly do. However, we are not as good at expression as our female complement. Further, we are sometimes criticized as one, “who does not feel,” whereas a more […]
Genesis 35:16-21 “Roller Coaster” Most of us have experienced the up and down, twist and turn of a roller coaster ride. What punctuates this experience are the violent transitions from one direct to the next. We find ourselves helplessly thrown within our confined space as the coaster dictates our every response. Jacob’s departure […]
Genesis 35:9-15 “The Promise, Then and Now (part 6)” Today we conclude the comparison of God’s promise to Jacob from chapter 28 and here in chapter 35. We have looked at three aspects in this comparison, God’s call, the content of the promise and finally we have derived some conclusions through this comparison. […]
Genesis 35:9-15 “The Promise, Then and Now (part 5)” After looking at this Bethel comparison for a few weeks now, we are able to derive some conclusions in regard to the promise that Jacob received prior to his departure and then here in chapter 35. We will begin by reading together both texts […]
Genesis 35:9-15 “The Promise, Then and Now (part 4)” In today’s session we complete the comparison of what God spoke to Jacob on his two occasions at Bethel. Going out as a younger man on his grand adventure (Genesis 28) warranted a message of preparation and promise of commitment. Now here in Genesis […]
Genesis 35:9-15 “The Promise, Then and Now (part 3)” We now look at the content of this re-stated promise. We will soon learn that the words spoken to Jacob here in Chapter 35 are not only similar to what God spoke to him in Chapter 28 but have obvious connection to God’s Word […]
Genesis 35:9-15 “The Promise, Then and Now (part 2)” In this session we conclude the comparison of Jacob’s call in Genesis 28 to what is reiterated here in chapter 35. This discussion is about the call as perceived by a young man and then later as an older man. What a man is […]
Genesis 35:9-15 “The Promise, Then and Now (part 1)” Jacob returns to Bethel and receives once again what was spoken to him approximately 25 years earlier. There has been a lot of life lived. Through this journey Jacob has become a different man as he now occupies this same space. For the next […]
Genesis 35:9-15 “The Promise” In this text God’s word to Jacob creates flashback connections to Adam as seen in Genesis 1-2. Later these words were expanded as stated to Abraham in Genesis 12, 15, and 22. The Promise was spoken to Isaac in Genesis 26. And finally the Promise was spoken to the […]
Genesis 35:5-8 “Re-naming A Significant Place, part 2” We have been looking at the idea of how the journey itself changes a person. Jacob had become a different man than the one who dreamed at this place many years before. Jacob had changed so therefore his perceptions had changed thus the renaming Bethel […]
Genesis 35:5-8 “Re-naming A Significant Place, part 1” Jacob returns to Bethel. What memories must have filled his being after so many years and so much life lived. This place of promise and this place of now realized fulfilled promises from God Almighty must have brought Jacob to his knees in absolute gratefulness. […]
Genesis 35:1-4 “Navigating Change” After a brief review of verses 1-4 the Moot Men will break into four groups to table talk four questions. These four questions can be seen below. The four questions revolve around Jacob’s leadership and change. After about 10 minutes of discussion we will bring the group back together […]
Genesis 35:1-4, “Breaking The Silence” Jacob has been silent, dwelling in the shadows watching disaster play itself out. He speaks out once again here in Chapter 35 verse 2 by calling his tribe to a new and focused direction. After a brief review to position these events within a context, we will introduce […]
Genesis 34:13-31, “A Way To Understand This Story, part 4” In the past three sessions it has been my intent to build a framework of how to understand this story. In this session I conclude my thoughts and in so doing throw my opinion into the ring along with many others who have […]
Genesis 34:13-29, “A Way To Understand This Story, part 3” Building on last week’s framework we now begin to examine the stages of growth. This background information will hopefully inform our understanding of this bizarre story. If we can understand how they are thinking then we can understand their actions, or rather, why […]
Genesis 34:13-29, “A Way To Understand This Story, part 2” In this session my attempt is to build a framework for understanding this story. My premise is that all parties were acting out from what they thought was the right thing to do at the time. This is in no way excusing their […]