Luke Hettinger

We continue learning about God with the life of Joseph. He rides a rollercoaster of life situations and has to fight for his integrity before God and man.

Judah one of Jacob's sons goes his own way and causes chaos for his family and those around him and just like Judah we cause chaos around us.

It becomes clear that God is going to use Joseph in a special way and his bothers become jealous and bitter. We can find much wisdom in Joseph's introduction in the book of Genesis for our own lives and the jealousy we have in our own hearts.

As Jacob returns to Bethel God is teaching him what His goal is for Jacob; this is the same goal for us today. God wants to transform us into His image to fill the earth with more of God's image.

Jacob's daughter Dinah is raped by a king's son and held captive while they negotiate with Jacob and his family. We see how devastating sin can be if left unchecked on both sides of the story.

Jacob's life changes when he encounters God on his way home.

As we continue in the book of Genesis we see a contrast between two people, Jacob and Laben. Jacob is learning to look outward to other peoples needs and Laben is becoming more and more self interested.

Jacob's journey to find a wife in the land of his ancestors becomes a complete and utter mess. Many of the people in this mess are looking to things to deliver them from their situation other than looking to God and we all find ourself in this story in one way or another.

God has a vision for your life because he loves you and wants the best for you. How will you respond to that vision?