Genesis 34:13-29, “A Way To Understand This Story, part 1” This is a difficult story. We read this story aghast, shaking our head, how can this be? Beginning today and continuing over the next few sessions I will attempt to communicate how I have come to understand this story. This is one attempt […]
Genesis 34:13-17, “Making it Right, contd.” We pick up today continuing our discussion of “making it right.” In the story there is an offensive sexual act committed against a young woman. The offender and his father approach the victim’s family with what appears to be an honest attempt to “make it right.” The […]
Genesis 34:13-17, “Making it Right” Today’s discussion centers around this question, “Can an offence such as what occurs in this story, be made right?” Listen in as the Moot Men discuss this subject from what I believe is an informed and mature perspective. This is not easy stuff. Well, life is not easy. […]
Genesis 34:1-12, “Blank Check” Historically, the story of Dinah has been a bit challenging in regard to understanding it in relation to the larger story of Jacob and his journey. For this reason we now pause to look at what I think are a few key factors to its interpretation. We will then observe […]
Genesis 33:18-20, “Why Shechem” Today’s discussion will center on Jacob’s arrival and actions in Shechem. He has finally arrived back within the Land of Promise. But why did he choose to set up house here in Shechem when Bethel is only twenty miles down the road? Download Session 115.MP3 – Right […]
Genesis 33:12-17, “According to the Pace” We have seen a warm and endearing reunion between two estranged brothers. It’s only natural to desire a continuance and building of the newly founded relationship. Esau proposes just that. Jacob graciously declines his brother’s offers. He uses an interesting phrase to describe his reasoning. Let’s take a […]
Genesis 33:12-17, “So Where Is He?” In this session the story line is paused to overview Jacob’s journey, where he has been and where he is going. We will look at three maps to identify key locations and distances travelled. We will wrap up by introducing a very interesting phrase from the text that […]
Genesis 33:10-11, “Four Indicators of Life Change” We hear about and talk about life change through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. But what does that really look like? In this session we will explore four indicators of life change illustrated by Jacob as seen within today’s text. Let’s take a look. […]
Genesis 33:4-9, “Reunion” The two brothers meet. It’s a beautiful, moving scene. But like any meeting there is a back story. In this case the informing facts brought to this encounter are deep and emotionally charged. We left Esau a lifetime ago as an embittered spiteful younger man. What happens now at this juncture […]
Genesis 33:1-3, “Transformation-What does it really look like?” Jacob has just experienced a major encounter with God Almighty. We have been looking at this now for several weeks labeling this encounter as a “transformational experience.” I believe it is. However as we now look at Jacob’s post responses we are forced to wonder what […]
Genesis 32:31-32, “A Different Kind of Walk” Yes, this is what happens. You have seen it and so have I. There have been men we have known who have allowed the transformational power of the Holy Spirit to shape them into men who have a different kind of walk. These men are life givers […]
Genesis 32:31-32 “Real Change” Does anyone really change? Earlier in life I would have resounded, “Well absolutely, by the power of the Holy Spirit, of course!” As years past and I got more honest I began to understand how difficult real and lasting change is. We mean well, but our self created constructs run […]
Genesis 32:29-30, “Power to Re-Name” You and I name things every day. We label, judge and categorize people, things and circumstances. The name we choose is derived from how we see. How we see has everything to do with how we perceive ourselves. Transformation is about working from a new center. This new center […]
Genesis 32:27-28, “A New Name” Jacob asked for a blessing but he received a new name. To re-name indicates something new has occurred. That is certainly true at this juncture in Jacob’s life. From this day forward Jacob will be known as Israel. Not only will that but from here on an entire nation […]
Genesis 32:24-26, “Re-Wired” We have looked at the What and the Who of this occasion in Jacob’s life. Today we will wrap up with the How, meaning how change is occurring in Jacob’s life. Today I use recent brain research to speak in to this story suggesting what could be happening within Jacob’s head […]
Genesis 32:24-26, “The Four Stages of Exchange” Something new is happening to Jacob. He engages his opponent to overpower him. This is what Jacob does because this is what he has learned to do. However through this struggle Jacob is overcome and seems to be quite comfortable with the idea. So much so he […]
Genesis 32:24-25, “A different kind of match” When you and I think of a wrestling match we think in terms of two opponents giving their absolute all to over-power the other. In this session I will attempt to look at this encounter from a slightly different perspective. In so doing my hope is that […]
Genesis 32:24-25, “Ready to Wrestle” That’s right. Jacob, after years and years of living life is now ready to wrestle with some very deep issues that reside in the core of his being. Most likely none of you have had a stranger approach in the night to engage in a contest such as this. […]
Genesis 32:24-25, “Full Engagement” While Jacob is alone, in a posture to receive, a stranger appears out of the darkness initiating what appears to be a conflict. What else can a wrestling match be? However, let’s not judge so fast. Maybe this match is a different type of match. Certainly the details raise some […]
Genesis 32:24, “Being in a place to receive” All that can be done is done. It is night. Jacob is finally all alone. Now, Jacob waits. It is still, dark and quiet, but far from peaceful. Have you been there? As difficult as it is, it is the place where you and I are finally […]