Welcome to I Love to Tell the Story, a podcast on the narrative lectionary! In this episode for September 21, 2025, hosts Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Karoline Lewis dive deep into the complex story of Jacob stealing his brother Esau's blessing with the help of his mother Rebecca.

This episode explores the third week of the narrative lectionary cycle, examining one of the most morally complex stories in Genesis.

Our hosts discuss: * The dysfunctional family dynamics in Genesis and what they reveal about humanity * Jacob as a "trickster" figure and the consequences of deception * The theological significance of God meeting Jacob at Bethel when he had nothing but a stone for a pillow * How this Old Testament story connects to John 1:50-51 and Jesus as the place where heaven and earth meet * The contrast between trying to "box God in" versus recognizing God's presence in daily life

The conversation reveals how these ancient stories continue to speak truth about both God's character and human nature, showing how God works with and through flawed people throughout salvation history.

🎧 Listen now and equip yourself for your preaching journey! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share with fellow preachers.

🔗 Find more episodes and resources here: https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Follow along with the commentary on Genesis 27:1-4, 15-23; 28:10-17 written by Justin Michael Reed at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/jacobs-dream-2/commentary-on-genesis-271-4-15-23-2810-17-4.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/HAUbo2F__V0.