Jacob is popping out kids left and right! He’s having so many kids with so many women, it’s hard to keep up with whom belonged to whom and which one did what. This chapter really emphasized to me the preciousness of step-families. Yes, Jacob was having children with four women. Yes, it was chaotic. Yes,… Continue reading Bible studies for writers | Genesis 30
Bible studies for writers | Genesis 29
This medium-sized chapter covers a lot of territory. Jacob starts out young, heading to Haran to find a wife. He plays out a similar scenario as to how his father found his mother. He falls in love, gets married - twice, and to sisters! Yikes! - and has four children, all boys I might add.… Continue reading Bible studies for writers | Genesis 29
Bible studies for writers | Genesis 28
So, Jacob takes off to Haran to look for a wife, and when he stops along the way, God comes to him in a dream and passes down the same promise He's made to Isaac and Abraham: you will be the father of so many descendants that you won't be able to count them. So,… Continue reading Bible studies for writers | Genesis 28
Bible studies for writers | Genesis 27
Abimelech, king of the Philistines, is back on the scene. I love this revolving picture of God’s people and the philistines making peace pacts. This chapter is like a retelling of Chapters 20 and 21, only with Isaac’s name substituted for Abraham’s. They even wind right back up in the same spot - Beersheba -… Continue reading Bible studies for writers | Genesis 27
Bible studies for writers | Genesis 26
Just a few chapters ago we were celebrating Isaac’s birth. Now, he is about to die. It’s funny how just a few short paragraphs about one man can leave such an impression. These few short chapters pack a punch, though, don’t they? Abraham and Sarah miraculously have a son together. Isaac doesn’t get sacrificed and… Continue reading Bible studies for writers | Genesis 26
Bible studies for writers | Genesis 25
My first job as a reporter at a daily newspaper was at the Junction City (Kan.) Daily Union, where I worked with a sweet woman named Laura. Laura was our official typesetter, and she spent her days typing up handwritten articles that were submitted to the paper and all copy - like obituaries - that… Continue reading Bible studies for writers | Genesis 25
Bible studies for writers | Genesis 24
Aw, baby Isaac is all grown up, and remember I said to keep Nahor on our radars. He’s a big part of the puzzle in this whopper of a chapter. It’s long not because it says a super whole lot but because it repeats the same story twice. And what a great story it is!… Continue reading Bible studies for writers | Genesis 24
Bible studies for writers | Genesis 23
I meant to mention Nahor from the last chapter, but I forgot. Chapter 22 just kind of jumps to Abraham’s brother, Nahor, and wraps up with that. I thought it was strange, but it’s there for some reason, so let’s keep our radars on for any mentions of Nahor in the future. This paragraph also… Continue reading Bible studies for writers | Genesis 23
Bible studies for writers | Genesis 22
I always saw journalists as heroes. I wanted my kids to see me as a hero, too. But journalists’ kids don’t consider late-night meetings, after-midnight deadlines and all-night layout sessions heroic. They just see absence. Though, I look at the reasons why I loved journalism and the blessings my kids received from it, whether they… Continue reading Bible studies for writers | Genesis 22
Bible studies for writers | Genesis 21
God brings Abraham and Sarah baby Isaac - and laughter. What once got Sarah and Abraham in a little trouble, now they celebrate. Laughter. Happiness. Joy. We sometimes forget God brings us these things, and also that he has a sense of humor. I think he and Sarah had a moment when she said, “God… Continue reading Bible studies for writers | Genesis 21
