Rev. Sean Daenzer studies Genesis 38:1-30 regarding how the actions in this story are all sinful and not given as an example of good behavior, law and the value of promises regarding Tamar’s actions, and where we find Christ in these passages.
Sharper Iron & Truth in Genesis: The Comforting Silence of God
Rev. Samuel Wirgau studies Genesis 37:12-36 regarding what leads to the evils carried out by Joseph’s brothers, why this planned premeditated murder is especially heinous, why God allows this to happen, how we see Jesus in this text, and how this story fits into the salvation story.
Sharper Iron & Truth in Genesis: Similarity-ology
Rev. Gaven Mize studies Genesis 37:2b-11 regarding the chiastic structure of these verses, whether God uses dreams to speak, how Joseph’s narrative is a capstone to Genesis, how Joseph is the most “Christ-like” patriarch, and symbols in revelations and apocalypses.
Sharper Iron & Truth in Genesis: Pre-Assyrian Potpourri
Rev. Jeremiah Johnson studies Genesis 35:16-37:2a regarding the messianic prophecy in Micah and its relation to this text, the lust for power, the death of Isaac and hardships of Jacob, why these Biblical genealogies are important to the bigger story, and the inheritance promised to Abraham.
Sharper Iron & Truth in Genesis: Foreign Gods and Buried Treasure
Rev. Luke Zimmerman studies Genesis 35:1-15 regarding the importance of relationships and vows within the Lord’s religion, how the idea of reconsecrating oneself to the Lord includes removing that with is foreign to the Lord and His ways, and the Lord’s care for Jacob (and us Christians in our Baptisms).
Sharper Iron & Truth in Genesis: Me Too
Rev. Brian Flamme studies Genesis 34:1-30 regarding the grief and wickedness of this chapter, Shechem’s lack of remorse and Hamor’s brazenness, what happens with un-confessed sin, and whether Jacob’s sons were justified in their anger and actions.
Sharper Iron & Truth in Genesis: The Divine Comedy of Mercy
Rev. Andrew Preus studies Genesis 33:1-20 regarding Esau’s civil righteousness and pity of Jacob, Jacob’s gifts to Esau as an offering to the Lord, and Jacob’s faith and boldness in God and His promises.
Sharper Iron & Truth in Genesis: Not Expecting God Part 2
Rev. Matthew Wietfeldt studies Genesis 32:22-33:4 regarding how Jacob is living in total fear, God’s discipline of Jacob as He wrestles with him, and how Jacob and Esau are reunited and restored.
Sharper Iron & Truth in Genesis: Not Expecting God- Part 1
Rev. Dustin Beck studies Genesis 32:1-21 regarding how Jacob is again met with angels, the “saints and archangels” that will inhabit the new creation, trusting in God’s promises, Jacob’s gifts for Esau, and what Jacob thinks is happening next versus what God has in store for him.
Sharper Iron & Truth in Genesis: Unclean Gods are Powerless
Rev. Timothy Appel studies Genesis 31:25-55 regarding the beginning of the end of Jacob’s story, Laban’s genuine/hypocritical accusations against Jacob, mockery of idolatry, boiling over of tensions between Laban and Jacob, and how the LORD protects and even enriches His people in the midst of oppression.
