In Genesis 28, Jacob is sent away and while on his journey, he dreams of a ladder connecting Earth and Heaven, with angels ascending and descending, and God affirms His covenant with him. Jacob awakens in awe, realizing God’s presence in that place, and names it Bethel, the “house of God.” He makes a vow to serve God and tithe, demonstrating his deep faith in the Lord. This chapter marks a pivotal moment when Jacob’s faith is solidified, setting the stage for his role as a patriarch of Israel.

God’s election of Jacob over Esau works itself out as parental preference rots the relationship between siblings and each parent schemes to steal away the blessing on behalf of their favorite son. Join us as we continue in the patriarchal narratives and consider how the ugly side of the family of faith speaks a word of grace into our own lives.

In the next chapter of Genesis we find Isaac following his father’s footsteps, in both faith and failings. In the midst of the ups and downs, the schemings and scathings, we are yet reminded of the ordinary and often invisible workings of God’s ever-present care for his people. What will become of this son of the promise and the sons his wife has brought into the world?

Today we embarked on the next section of Genesis, the “generations of Isaac.” So little ink is devoted to this patriarch and yet there is much to be gleaned from this chapter. Abraham’s life ends and the promise continues.

Isaac is pushing forty and still a bachelor. What of the great nation to come? What of people like the sand of the shores and the stars of the heavens?

Today we backtracked a bit and considered the themes of People, Place, Presence and Program in the life of Abraham, the lives of his descendants, and throughout scripture as a whole.

Abraham loses Sarah and yet gains a burial plot in the promised land.Join us as we consider what “one of the least interesting corners of scripture” has to teach us about resurrection hope.

Here we confront head on one of the most difficult passages in scripture. How do we reconcile a loving God with one that required the sacrifice of Isaac?

We continue our journey through Genesis, examining the consequences of Abraham’s failures and the consistency of God’s faithfulness even in regards to Ishmael.