How does the story of Judah and Tamar point us to Christ. Can God really bring good out of life’s most difficult circumstances? 

The life of Joseph stands as an example of the sovereignty of holy God and how his sovereignty relates to human freedom, suffering and events. We also see the clarity of how all of Scripture points is to the person and work of Christ. 

The life of Joseph stands as an example of the sovereignty of holy God and how his sovereignty relates to human freedom, suffering and events. We also see the clarity of how all of Scripture points is to the person and work of Christ. 

Sometimes we skip passages of Scripture because they  make us feel uncomfortable. Other times, we skip them because we deem them less important. So often, in glancing over such passages, we abandon the beautiful riches of God’s Word to us. Genesis 35:8 is one such passage, as we are confronted by the beauty of a quiet life that leaves a gaping void in the heart of Jacob. The life of Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, leads us into deeper thanks for the people in our lives that are there for us through better and worse. Likewise, it challenges us to be a Deborah-like figure for others. 

Sometimes we skip passages of Scripture because they  make us feel uncomfortable. Other times, we skip them because we deem them less important. So often, in glancing over such passages, we abandon the beautiful riches of God’s Word to us. Genesis 35:8 is one such passage, as we are confronted by the beauty of a quiet life that leaves a gaping void in the heart of Jacob. The life of Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, leads us into deeper thanks for the people in our lives that are there for us through better and worse. Likewise, it challenges us to be a Deborah-like figure for others. 

The pivot between Genesis 34 and 35 is almost as shocking as the content of chapter 34 alone. What God would show grace in response to evil while simultaneously paying the penalty due it?

For the believer, idolatry is an ever-present obstacle. How will it be laid waste? 

The pivot between Genesis 34 and 35 is almost as shocking as the content of chapter 34 alone. What God would show grace in response to evil while simultaneously paying the penalty due it?

For the believer, idolatry is an ever-present obstacle. How will it be laid waste? 

Chapter 34 of Genesis plunges us into the gut-wrenching story of the rape of Dinah, the silence of Jacob, the unquenched fury of Simeon and Levi, and the catastrophic loss of the Hivite women and children. The cycle of violence put forth in Genesis 34 leaves us staring at the mirror of today with tearful, broken, and justice-seeking eyes. Has anything changed? Is there a light in the dark for those who’ve experienced the heartache of abuse? Is there hope and healing amidst the tragedies of life? Is there a place where justice and mercy meet?

*So much more demands to be said than is spoken in this sermon. Even more must be done. My prayer is that this may be a humble start on the heavy-hearted journey toward healing, forgiveness, mercy, and justice. I ask that you forgive the doubtless shortcomings heard here, as we learn and grow together. In love from a husband and father of 5, Dustin

Chapter 34 of Genesis plunges us into the gut-wrenching story of the rape of Dinah, the silence of Jacob, the unquenched fury of Simeon and Levi, and the catastrophic loss of the Hivite women and children. The cycle of violence put forth in Genesis 34 leaves us staring at the mirror of today with tearful, broken, and justice-seeking eyes. Has anything changed? Is there a light in the dark for those who’ve experienced the heartache of abuse? Is there hope and healing amidst the tragedies of life? Is there a place where justice and mercy meet?

*So much more demands to be said than is spoken in this sermon. Even more must be done. My prayer is that this may be a humble start on the heavy-hearted journey toward healing, forgiveness, mercy, and justice. I ask that you forgive the doubtless shortcomings heard here, as we learn and grow together. In love from a husband and father of 5, Dustin

Believers are entrusted by God with the ministry of reconciliation. How does the story of Jacob and Esau give us wisdom in living out this ministry in the world today? What is the basis for our desire to reconcile with those who’ve wronged us, or those whom we have wronged?

Here is a link to Alex’s full story: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/alex-story/