Verse/Verse Bible Podcast

This week, we close the 7 chapter section of Exodus that is the Prologue. By the end of this section, we will see tensions high and the game set. We see in this introductory portion that God is set on delivering Israel whom He now calls His firstborn son.

Exodus begins right where Genesis left off. This sequel, contingent upon the message of its predecessor, shows the wiles of tyrannical men undermined by a thoughtful God, some unassuming women, and an abandoned baby.

As we close the book of Genesis, we find that the book was not about Joseph, neither was it about Jacob, and not even about Judah. We see that the book of Genesis is ultimately a prequel. It is a book that not only looks forward to the book of Exodus, but is even more so looking forward to a coming everlasting King who will bless the entire world in His majesty.

In the second year of the famine, Jacob sends his sons to the land of Egypt, where it is rumored that there are storehouses of grain. Unbeknownst to ten sons of Jacob, they are seeking grain from the very brother they had sold into slavery thirteen years before. Joseph strategically tries his brothers' characters to see whether they remain as treacherous as they once were.

Despite Joseph's outstanding character, it seems the worst continues to befall him. How can horrible things happening to a good man possibly be God's plan? Is this story even about Joseph at all?

Jacob's fourteen years owed to Laban are up and he's finally ready to head off on his own along with his two wives, two concubines and (at least) twelve children. After much divine provision, Jacob still insists upon living life his own way. In this week's study through Genesis, we see the stark contrast between the fruit of Jacob's provision and that of God's.

Thus far unique to Jacob, his testimony is one of reluctant surrender to God's will. Jacob (along with the rest of the figures in this passage) is always seeking to provide for himself whenever opportunity arises. In turn, what Jacob finds is that God's promises exceed the yielding of any posed opportunity. Genesis 27:1-29:26

Isaac inherits the covenant God made to Abraham. We see that along with the faith of his father, Isaac also shares in some of Abraham's faults. We learn through this passage how God successfully accomplishes His will in the midst of our faithlessness. Genesis 24:1-26:35

As we begin to close the book of Abraham's life, we see Abraham falling into the same erroneous sins of his path, but we also see him pass God's final test of faith. Isaac upon Moriah inherently looks forward to a greater Son to come.

Twenty-Four years have passed since God has promised to make Abram into a great nation. In that time, the barren Sarai has now passed into a postmenopausal age and the promise no longer seems attainable. Despite Sarai's and Abram's attempt to realize God's word by their own attempts, heavenly messengers visit Abram with other plans. Meanwhile, Lot is also visited by heavenly messengers. These two narratives run parallel but divert and ultimately lead to polar opposite outcomes.