The Bible Archives

This chapter acts an as etiology for Israel's relationship to the people of Shechem (which becomes a really important area in the 2nd Temple Period) and the personality of the various tribes (specifically Simeon and Levi).

This chapter also includes a notable scene with one of Jacob's daughters: Dinah. Interpretation varies as to whether this is a rape or a controlling intervention by her brothers, but sexual uncertainty pervades the essence of the chapter.

Jacob has had his name changed to Israel and we see, for the first time, a different kind of Jacob...but he's still Jacob.

The two brothers meet for the first time since Jacob deceived Isaac and Esau does the opposite of getting revenge. He restores Jacob as a brother and allows Jacob to continue his journey. Does Jacob simply take advantage of Esau's radical hospitality and generosity?

This chapter begins the next part of Jacob's narrative and ends the part of the Jacob cycle with his brother Esau.

Who does Jacob wrestle with? Was it like a WWE match? Why does Jacob get touched on the hip and why does he walk with a limp? And what does this all mean for the people of Israel whose name starts as a result of this event?

This episode covers folkloric history, theological depictions of the covenant and God, and some psychological analyses of conflict, conversion, and change. Genesis 32 is one of the most relatable chapters of the Bible and one of the most important for the Biblical narrative.

Jacob returns from Laban's household in Genesis 31. Rachel and Leah are left without inheritance and some household gods are stolen in the process.

Genesis 31 wraps up the deception of Jacob and Laban and acts as an etiology for some pieces of land and as a theological portrait of Israel and God. Genesis 31 ends one part of the Jacob cycle and sets up another conflict that is waiting for Jacob back at home.

Genesis chapter 30 sounds like a classic folk story. Two sisters are competing for the most kids, mandrake superstitions are used, and Jacob uses tree branches to breed Laban's flock.

Really, it is a messy story about the origins of the tribe of Israel. The way Jacob's ancestry continues is rife with issues, magical thinking, and self-preservation.

The beginning of Genesis chapter 30 reveals a complicated theological picture that has come up several times in the book of Genesis and occurs frequently in the literature of the Bible: Does God cause bad things to happen?

This is a conversation on theodicy and Rachel's barrenness leads to Jacob claiming that God caused it. Why is barrenness treated like it is in the Bible and why does Jacob respond in such a perplexing way?

The Christmas Story According to Isaiah

A meditation on Christmas Eve with narratives inspired by the prophet Isaiah to experience the transition from Advent to Christmas.

For a video version of this content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNVuwjjddsk

Written by Tyler Kleeberger and Amie Brodie.

Produced by Tyler Kleeberger and Roger Tipping.

Voice by Tyler Kleeberger (Meditation & Commentary), Roger Tipping (The Story of the King), & Amie Brodie (The Story of the Shepherd).

Created for use by The Farmhouse.

Find the content valuable? Support our work here: https://ko-fi.com/becominghuman

Jacob finally gets to his ancestral heritage and experiences a similar scene to his forefathers. Then chaos breaks loose and Jacob's past catches up with him in the form of Laban, the father of Leah and Rachel; both of whom will become Jacob's wives.

Genesis 29 catalyzes the Jacob cycle and also introduces us to the history of Israel's tribes in the birth of Jacob's children.

Here's why climbing Jacob's ladder is actually about a staircase, thoughts on omnipotence, Jacob's penchant for self-preservation, and why Jacob might be an archetype for the entire identity of Israel.

Jacob and his mother, Rebekah, team up to intervene in the future of Israel. Esau has made decisions that can't allow the covenant to continue so, with some deceptive tactics, Jacob finds a way to get the blessing. Is Isaac in on the deception? And why does Rebekah play such a prominent role?

The story of Israel's future is put on full display in the microcosmic episode that also kicks off the narrative of Jacob, the final patriarch.