So now, my son, listen to me. Flee at once to my brother Laban in Haran, and stay with him for a few days until your brother’s anger subsides–until your brother’s rage turns away from you and he forgets what you have done to him” (Gen. 27:43-45). After Isaac blessed Jacob, there was no blessing…
Category: The Law
Eight Days a Week
I had the following article published in our local paper last week *** Most of us work Monday through Friday. Then the weekend. We take a break from regular employment. Many also worship on Saturday or Sunday, depending on their faith. Individually, socially and culturally we find ourselves moving to this weekly rhythm. But why?…
Spring
Great Springs National Park in Great Falls, Montana “So Isaac left there, camped in the Valley of Gerar, and lived there. Isaac reopened the water wells that had been dug in the days of his father…. Then Isaac’s slaves dug in the valley and found a well of spring water there” (Gen. 26:17-19). Isaac reopened…
The Gospel According to Exodus
In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. And God said to Moses, “Make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among you. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.” When Moses set up the tabernacle, he…
A Cut Above the Rest
“This is My covenant, which you are to keep, between Me and you and your offspring after you: Every one of your males must be circumcised. You must circumcise the flesh of your foreskin to serve as a sign of the covenant between Me and you” (Gen. 17:10-11). Genesis 17 introduces circumcision. The flesh of…
Surrogate
Genesis 16 tells the story of Abram and Hagar, Sarai’s slave. In chapter 15, we saw God’s promise to Abram: “one who comes from your own body will be your heir” (Gen. 15:4). We don’t know how much time elapsed between the giving of the promise and the events of chapter 16. It simply opens…
Gremlins, Leeches, and the Failure of the Serenity Prayer
I have a toddler. Anyone who has raised one knows it is among the most exhausting things you will ever do. They are in constant motion—usually in the wrong direction. Whether toward danger or irresponsibility they jigger gigglingly toward it. Toddlers survive because parents constantly jerk their verbal leashes and, sometimes, their literal…
Head Covering
While wandering the internet I stumbled across a blog advocating that women cover their heads. Naturally, 1 Corinthians 11:5-6 was the author’s text— But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since that is one and the same as having her head shaved. So if a woman’s head is not…
One from Your Own Body
In Genesis 15, Abram laments that he has no son, and that a household servant will be his heir. But the Lord said, “This one will not be your heir; instead, one who comes from your own body will be your heir” (Gen. 15:4). Isaac was the immediate fulfillment of the Lord’s promise to Abram….
Heirs of Death and Resurrection
Sketch by Patrick Murphy The Lord promised Abram and his seed the land of Canaan. Abram grew into this promise through a series of events: the death of his father, Terah (Gen. 11:32); leaving Haran for Canaan (Gen. 12:1); going down to Egypt because of famine (Gen. 12:10); coming up out of Egypt (Gen. 12:13)….
The Voice of One 