Joseph was a young man when his jealous brothers threw him into a pit with the intention of selling him to the Ishmaelites. The Midianites beat them to it, and they came up with a plan to deceive their father. Joseph ended up being a servant in Potiphar’s house until Potiphar’s wife lied on him […]
Torah reading
Tamar was More Righteous than Judah – Gen 39:1-30
In the middle of Joseph’s story, we are told about Judah leaving home. Why is this? Chapter 38 starts out saying, “It happened at that time…” What time? When we look back at chapter 37 verses 26-27, we see it was Judah who came up with the idea to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites. He […]
He Raped Her and Thought He Could Get Away with It
When I tell you the Bible has everything in it, it really does. Normally, when births are being mentioned, only the names of the sons are spoken of. Yeah, we hear women names mentioned all the time. After all, there’s Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, Rachel, and others. But nothing about their births. Genesis 30:21 says, “Afterward […]
How Do You Say, “I’m Sorry?”
Most sermons about Jacob made him look like the scum of the earth. After all, he showed no mercy when his brother was hungry, which forced him to sell his birthright. He did steal Esau’s blessing. He did deceive his father. But that’s not all to his story. When you read his story you’ll see […]
Favoritism Causes Division in Isaac’s and Rebekah’s Family
In today’s society I think most people come from dysfunctional homes. So, we should be able to relate to Esau and Jacob in one way or another. Isaac loved Esau because he was able to eat what Esau brought home. Esau was the oldest, even if it was by seconds. He was a hairy man […]
The Generations of Isaac Starts Off Rocky
Isaac was the promised son of Abraham and Sarah in their old age. God told Abraham he would have so many descendants that no one would be able to count them. But only through Isaac will the whole world be blessed. As Abraham was getting older, he charged his oldest servant to find Isaac a […]
God Can Answer Your Detailed Prayer Like He Did the Abraham’s Servant
When the story of Isaac and Rebekah is told it seems like the servant’s prayer is glossed over. I don’t know how many times I’ve glossed over it myself. This week when I was reading this Torah portion, this part jumped off the pages at me. It was as if God was telling me I […]
Amazing Faith Brings Close Relationship with God
In this week’s Torah portion, Sarah dies at 127 years old. Her son, Isaac was around 37 years old. Abraham was about 137 years old. When Sarah died Abraham inquired about a piece of land for a burial site for his family. The Hittites offered to give him the land. There are two possible reasons […]
When Wickedness Abounds, Destruction Follows
Today we’ll look at another reason God came to earth. It was to see about Sodom and Gomorrah. Can you imagine living in a place where everyone around you is dishonest, lying, murdering, molesting, raping, or aiding and abetting those who are doing horrible things? Everywhere you turned you had to watch out for your […]
How Do You Treat God When He Visits You? Is it Like Abraham’s Example?
This week’s Bible passage starts off with God and His two companions appearing to Abraham at the entrance of his tent. There God talked with Abraham. The thing I love about the book of Genesis is all of the first mentions of everything. The first paradise, the first children, murder, siblings, offerings, rules, rainbow, and […]
