Call it what you want: Egypt, Babylon, America—living for the Kingdom of Heaven run by Yahweh while living in the kingdoms of this earth run by the false gods has always been a challenge—but it's been a challenge that has often been there, as we'll see in today's Bible stories which feature people like Joseph and Daniel. These characters actually have a lot to say to Christians in America if they're willing to let go of the myth of a "Christian nation" and recognize that their context is not all that different from that of Joseph's Egypt, Daniel's Babylon, or Jesus' Rome. How did they live in their contexts? How should we live in ours? Those are the questions on the table in today's episode of JXN Cloud. Join the conversation on our Discord page: https://discord.com/invite/Tdsfqrk

Both Joseph and Daniel are examples of people in the Scriptures who are gifted with the Holy Spirit to interpret dreams. This lines up well with Jesus' parables and his expectations that some would understand them and others wouldn't. Check it out on today's episode of JXN Cloud!

Darn Joseph's good looks, making him too attractive to the wrong people! His clothes get him in trouble for a second time in today's episode of the JXN Cloud. Join the conversation on our Discord! www.jxncloud.com/discord

Tamar's story in Genesis is a strange one. But when we come to understand the culture of the Bible authors better, we start to see the strange kind of justice being found in Tamar's journey. It's also there that we read of a birth story we won't soon be able to forget! Join the conversation on Discord! www.jxncloud.com/discord

Between being his dad's favorite, sporting a sweet robe, and telling his brothers about all of his awesome dreams, Joseph didn't exactly do himself any favors. This origin story would eventually lead him to become something much more than he already was, but pain and suffering would come first. Join the conversation on our Discord! www.jxncloud.com/discord

In Genesis 35, Jacob' family departs leaves their recent chaos behind and heads to an old sacred site that God calls them into. There, many of the themes we've seen throughout our series on Genesis resurface once again. Join the conversation on our Discord! www.jxncloud.com/discord

Genesis 34 is an unpleasant passage where things start bad and end bad. Sin runs rampant through the whole narrative and God is so far removed from it that he doesn't even come up in the story. You may find some of the themes in this Bible story triggering, so please watch at your own discretion.

The land of Canaan is a big deal throughout the Old Testament as it is the land God promised Abraham his descendants would one day receive. Abraham got a small glimpse of it in his time and in today's Bible passage, Jacob does as well. But in the New Testament, the focus shifts from a particular piece of land to something much bigger. Join the conversation in the comments below or on the Discord: www.jxncloud.com/discord

As night approaches, Jacob suddenly finds himself wrestling with a person who according to Genesis is "a man," who according to Hosea is "an angel," who according to Jacob is "God." What is going on here? And why on earth is this man/angel/God wrestling with Jacob? That and more in today's episode of JXN Cloud.

Discuss with us in the comments below and on our Discord at www.jxncloud.com/discord

Look: We've all just randomly bumped into an angel here and there. No reason to make a big whoop about it. The Bible certainly mentions such happenings rather nonchalantly—like when Jacob ran into those angels at Mahanaim. So let's not be weird about it. I mean, sure, it's kinda weird but... but... OKAY, WHAT IS GOING ON!?

Learn with us in today's video and then join the discussion in the comments or on our Discord server: www.jxncloud.com/discord