We now turn to the story of Jacob’s son Joseph, whose life will fill most of the remaining pages of Genesis. The story of Joseph is full of lessons for us today, including the pivotal role he played in Israel’s history, his character qualities worthy of our imitation, and foreshadowing of things to come in
Genesis 36 gives us the genealogy of Esau, father of the Edomite nation. In this passage we survey the important role of the Edomites in Biblical history, including lessons we can learn from their sin of arrogance. This chapter also provides a surprising key to unlocking the mystery of who Job was, when taken together
This lesson includes quite disturbing material: serious problems in Jacob’s family. While it might be tempting to skip over troubling stories that involve exploitation, violence, vengeance and unrestrained passion, there are important lessons to learn here as well. This passage of Scripture also provides the backdrop for fascinating prophecies to be fulfilled at the birth
After cheating his twin brother of his birthright and blessing twenty years earlier, Jacob finds himself in big trouble. He learns that Esau (who had previously wanted to kill him) is approaching Jacob's family with 400 men. What kind of man has our deceptive, conniving Jacob become over the past two decades? How will he
Jacob’s twenty years in Mesopotamia was a time of great trial and suffering. There is much to learn from Jacob’s experience and how it transformed him, as well as the role suffering is to play in the life of a Christian. This lesson examines what Jesus, Paul and Peter taught about suffering, as well as
Jacob Departs Mesopotamia a Changed Man (Gen. 31:14-54) View Lesson
Jacob Departs Mesopotamia a Changed Man (Gen. 31:14-54) View Lesson
In this story, crafty Jacob gets a big surprise from his Uncle Laban. As Jacob builds his family, God works through trials and blessings to teach Jacob important lessons and to prepare Jacob for His purposes. This lesson offers insights into God’s justice and the nature of the evil one. It also points to the
Jacob Builds a Family and a Flock (Gen. 29-31:13) View Lesson
Jacob Builds a Family and a Flock (Gen. 29-31:13) View Lesson
In Genesis 28 we find Jacob asleep, his head on a rock. Jacob dreams of a ladder that leads to heaven, with the Lord speaking from above, and angels descending and ascending on the ladder. He wakes up and anoints his rock pillow with oil, and names the place “the house of God." What does
At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus gave Peter a new name and a new identity. Peter would have many trials and failures, but would become a pillar of faith for the Church as he served our Lord. What lessons can we learn from Peter's life, example and teaching, that we might have such faith? Teaching
In this story, the Syrian army surrounds the city to take Elisha. There with his servant, Elisha works a tremendous miracle with an unexpected twist. This lesson looks at the theme of spiritual blindness and the love God has for his enemies. Teaching Notes Elisha, Pt. 7: The Blind See (2 Kings 6:8-23) -
We pick up where we left off with the story of Naaman's healing, which some Christians through the centuries have viewed as a foreshadowing of baptism. We discuss one aspect of baptism, the power over death and the hope of eternal life. We then look at the story of Gehazi, who falls into the sins
Elisha, Pt. 6: Naaman, Gehazi, and the Floating Ax Head (2 Kings 5:17-6:7) View Lesson
Elisha, Pt. 6: Naaman, Gehazi, and the Floating Ax Head (2 Kings 5:17-6:7) View Lesson