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.
Sharper Iron & Truth in Genesis: Magic, Miracles and Commandments
Rev. Harrison Goodman studies Genesis 31:1-24 regarding leaning into God’s gifts, how covetousness affects our daily bread, the 4th commandment and vocation to others, how Jacob is a type of Christ, and how to see Jesus in this text.
Sharper Iron & Truth in Genesis: The Wood and the Promise
Rev. Dr. Adam Filipek studies Genesis 30:24-43 regarding how this chapter fits into the larger Genesis narrative, what’s with the Divination, why Jacob’s prosperity matters for us, and why the sheep produce spotted and speckled progeny (and why that matters).
Sharper Iron & Truth in Genesis: Children, Envy, and the Blessed Exchange
Rev. Chris Hull studies Genesis 29:31-30:23 regarding prayer, our view of children, envy, and in this meditation a teaching on the blessed exchange.