Divorce is not part of the plan or design of God, ever. Yet the hardness of man’s heart due to sin (which is manifest in a multitude of ways) causes broken relationships, broken vows and ultimately divorce from the one to whom a covenant was made until death.
Joseph’s dreams reveal his future authority over his family, stirring jealousy among his brothers. They sell him into slavery and deceive their father, Jacob, into believing Joseph is dead.
Jacob returns to Bethel, renews his covenant with God, and experiences the deaths of Rachel and Isaac. The chapter then lists Esau’s descendants and the rulers of Edom.
Jacob and Esau reconcile peacefully, but Dinah’s assault leads her brothers to violently destroy Shechem’s city in revenge.
Book of Genesis 31–32 recounts Jacob leaving Laban and making peace with him, then preparing to meet Esau while wrestling with God and receiving the name Israel.
Book of Genesis 29–30 recounts Jacob’s time with Laban, his marriages to Leah and Rachel, and the birth of his children, through whom God begins to form the future tribes of Israel.
Book of Genesis 28 recounts Jacob fleeing from Esau, experiencing a dream of a ladder reaching to heaven, and receiving God’s reaffirmation of the covenant promises.
Book of Genesis 26–27 follows Isaac’s experiences with God’s covenant and conflicts with the Philistines, then recounts how Jacob, with Rebekah’s help, deceives Isaac to receive Esau’s blessing.
This Sunday we looked at the external sin of adultery and the internal sin of lust. Far too often we want to be able to say, “Look at me, I don’t do this or that,” but the reality is that people don’t judge us for eternity; God does. And He knows the intent, thoughts and…
