Genesis 32:22-24a, “It’s Over” Jacob is at a major crossroads in his life. He thinks it’s the end. Many of you have been there I’m sure. Being tossed by inner turmoil, faith, fear, disappointment and pain all wrapped together in one stomach churning ride. Hang on Jacob, just hang on. Sorry, no video […]
Genesis 32:13-21, “Helping God to Save Me” Jacob is at a major turning point in his life. This is easy for us to say because we know the rest of the story. From Jacob’s perspective, his life is ending as soon as his brother arrives. Last week we saw Jacob cry out to God […]
Genesis 32:9-12, “Empty Tank” Some say this text contains the first recorded prayer in scripture. I did not research the claim, but if so this short prayer is a great first model for you and me. As we look at these four verses I’m sure you will be able to relate to Jacob as […]
Genesis 32:1-8, “The Great Squeeze” An agreement has been made, the hatchet has been buried and now time to move on. After a quick breather at Mahanaim, “God’s Camp”, Jacob now faces a monumental challenge. Confronting the demons of one’s past is by far some of the most difficult work a man will do. […]
Genesis 31:43-55, “Laban’s Turn” Jacob has just unloaded years of pent up frustration towards his father in-law. A brief pause as all eyes turn to Laban awaiting his response. He opens his mouth and begins to speak words that would appear to infuriate and further confuse this already volatile exchange. But then almost mid […]
Genesis 31:36-42, “What It Looks Like” We are in the process of transformation, as the scriptures state, “being conformed into the Image of Christ.” This is an amazing truth. It indicates that God is actually changing you and me, from the inside out. He has a plan. He is taking us somewhere. Jesus is […]
Genesis 31:36-42, “One step forward, two steps back” We love to think of transformation as a turning with immediate and lasting change. Maybe this is true for some, I’m not sure. However for the rest of us, “being conformed into the image of Christ” takes quite some time. Following Jacob’s admission of fear, we […]
Genesis 31:33-35, “Just Feed the Man” You have heard, “birds of a feather flock together”. Well, Rachel has observed and learned quite a bit from her husband and father. In a very clever exchange she is able to divert disaster. However, from a larger perspective, how should we think about this? Join with us […]
Genesis 31-31-32, “The Threshold of Fear” In today’s lesson we will be introduced to a diagram that illustrates what has happened and what now is happening in Jacob’s life. I have used this diagram for years to explain why and why not real change occurs in one’s life. Today we focus in on the […]
Genesis 31-31-32, “The Hinge” I have entitled this session “The Hinge” because this is the point in our story where Jacob begins to change. Jacob has been running to seek safety within the Hills of Gilead. It is at this very place where he is overcome by his greatest fear, his father-in-law. Laban just […]
Genesis 31-29-30, “Victim Power” Have you ever heard the words, “You just don’t understand?” The context is usually some sort of discussion where you are attempting to reason through some matter with another. But then, out of the blue, this phrase is played as a Trump card, followed by, “you have not gone through […]
Genesis 31:29-30 “The Meeting contd.” Jesus made it very clear when he said, “Do not judge.” I have pushed back many times with something like, “well, it depends”, or “I’m not so sure he meant that,” like I have any right to judge Jesus’ intent. However, in recent years I have come to see […]
Genesis 31:26-28 “The Meeting” A reservoir of suppressed frustration is about to be released. Remember, Laban has been in hot pursuit for seven days. Also note, God’s warning to Laban through the dream. Let’s look at Laban’s opening comments as he meets his son-in-law face to face. Download Session 87.MP3 – Right […]
Genesis 31:22-25 “Extrusion” What there is to learn from a PlayDough Machine Within this short text there is so much going on. It’s easy to imagine Laban’s hot pursuit driving his posse and livestock to their limits. As we picture this we wonder what will occur when their target is overcome. Jacob on the other […]
Genesis 31:17-21 “Get Out of Dodge” (Haran)” “To get out of Dodge” is an American expression rooted from Dodge City Kansas in the late 19th century and the famous gun battle called the Dodge City War. It means to leave a difficult or dangerous place as quickly as possible. In this setting of haste why […]
Genesis 31:1-16 “Jacob’s response to Word on the Street” The word on the street is that Jacob has ripped off his father in-law, Laban. This morning we take a close look at how Jacob responds to this accusation. The Moot Men got in to quite a good discussion about this. There were differing opinions and […]
Genesis 30:25-43 “The Core Challenge, wrap-up” We have spent four weeks looking at the why and the how of “resistance.” This driving force is so core to our natural state as human beings but yet, at least from my perspective, operates at such a deep level that we by default are not aware. The result […]
Genesis 30:25-43 “The Core Challenge, continued” Today we look at the how of resistance. What I mean by “how” is how resistance is demonstrated through our two characters, Laban and Jacob. Even though these two lived many years ago, their life context being so different, I believe you will find their actions as pretty close […]
Genesis 30:25-43 “The Core Challenge, continued” I have become much more aware of how this “Core Challenge” of resistance shows up in and around me. The subtle tuning out of another because I have pre-judged what I think they are about to say. The tightening of my gut as I’m waiting for what feels like […]
Genesis 30:25-43 “The Core Challenge” Jacob wants to go. Laban needs him to stay. Herein is the set up for a very interesting story. The two are cuffed in a relationship less than ideal, at least from Jacobs’s perspective. His desire to launch out to make his own mark in the world sets up the […]