The Bible Archives

Genesis 34 has one of the most interesting narratives in the book of Genesis. 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 IsaiahA 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=KNVuwjjddskWritten 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.

The Birth of Esau and Jacob & Isaac's "Sister" RebekahAs the Genesis narrative transitions to Isaac (and quickly moves straight to Jacob), his genealogy includes the story of the birth of his twins; which sets up how the covenant continues through Jacob. Isaac's story revolves around being in Garar with Abimelech (now of the Philistines) where he says Rebekah is his sister. This partly portrays Isaac as a continuation of Abraham and partly leads us to wonder how the covenant will continue through his two sons.

Abraham's Family is a Changin'Abraham, after much suspense to have an heir, is now forced to envision the how this tribe will continue after he is gone.Another woman is added to the family in chapter 24 when Isaac gets married through a very detailed, elongated proposal that must be with Abraham's family back in Haran. Through all of this, the covenant continues and we get a very specific ideology as to who Israel will be and how they ought to function as Isaac is formally shown to be the primary heir in chapter 25 and the lineage begins to unfold toward Jacob and Esau.

That time Abraham almost sacrificed his anticipated heir, Isaac and then got some of the promised land. These two chapters both deal with the manifestation of the two main promises of the covenant: Multiplied ancestors and land. So, why does Abraham go through with potentially killing Isaac and why does Abraham insist on paying for Sarah's tomb?

Genesis chapter 20 offers a complicated look at the character of Abraham and the nature of God; especially when the covenant still unfolds despite some questionable narratives. Genesis chapter 21 portrays division amongst Abraham's children and a very clear depiction of who the covenantal lineage will carry through.

Genesis 18 must be read before understanding Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham, as the first act of the covenant, practices extravagant generosity to three strange travelers. Abraham and God argue out what should be done if there are 10 righteous men, a village tribunal, in Sodom.Lot, who chose the prized land, does not have extravagant hospitality and, in fact, his village practices humiliation, dominance, and powerful violence toward the travelers. We also explore how this text has been read throughout history to help us understand how it ought to be read today.

The covenant of Genesis continues and the question of the heir remains. Sarai concludes that the slave from Egypt, Hagar, is going to have to pass on the ancestry of Abram. Ishmael is born, conflict ensues, and Hagar is heard and seen by El-Roi. Genesis 17, in response to an heir being born by Sarai, leads to another major covenantal, symbolic ritual called circumcision. What is circumcision, why is it done the way it is done, and why is it so important for the covenant?

Genesis 14 takes us into the ancient near east and the tribal world while also offering a strange picture of a character who seems to transcend the tribes. Chapter 14 also sets up the context of who the God of the covenant is and who Abram of the covenant is. Genesis 15 gives a deep dive into the covenant and a strange ritual contract ceremony.

We meet Abram and follow the progression of the covenant; which doesn’t always include very good things from Abram and other finite mortals. This episode covers the nature of the Patriarchal history in Genesis and the specific stories of Genesis 12-13: The covenant blessing, the journey to Egypt, the separating of Abram and Lot, and so much more. We even talk a bit about transcendent will, determinism, and human agency.

The mythic history section of Genesis comes to an end in the culminating depiction of the world’s ills. This also seems to be the final setup for the covenant. We look at the Tower of Babel and what it means for how the ancient Jewish people believed the world isn’t supposed to work.

The covenant takes shape after "The Flood" (aka, the second creation). How will humanity continue? What will be different from the first creation? And what is that weird story about Canaan and Ham and the nakedness of the father?

Popularly called “The Flood,” we look at the part of Genesis where a restart of creation happens. Details on the Nephilim, Noah, and the specific components we ought to pay attention to if we see how and why this part of the story was composed.

The first etiological story post-Eden. Cain and Abel, the first cultures, and the genealogy that might be the most skipped chapter in the Bible. There's plenty of gems to be discovered in these two chapters.

The second rendition of creation according to the Jewish tradition which also brings up the tenuous chapter of the whole thing with the tree. We break down the details of the second creation narrative and cover some of the issues with the notorious chapter of Genesis 3.

The first rendition of creation according to the Jewish tradition.

An overview of the book of Genesis. What is the book? How was it composed? Why is it important? Here's everything we need to explore before diving into the narrative of beginnings.

Beyond all the theological and doctrinal language, how did the first Christians articulate Eucharist? We look at the first written witness to the Sacrament of Eucharist and what the letter means in terms of “Discerning the Body” as the standard for Eucharist’s role in the life of a church.

One approach to Eucharist that most have never heard, one that folks have heard too much, and one that is so familiar that we might have lost its depth. Epiclesis comes from the Eastern Orthodox Church and forces us to root the experience of Eucharist in the action of God. Mass may be best understood as “Mission for the Kingdom” and communion, well, deals with everything.

Two of the most common references to Eucharist, what do they mean? The Great Thanksgiving is often the title for Eucharist liturgy and the Lord’s Supper is one of the most common title in the Western Church. But how do they help us understand what this sacrament is and how do they help shape how we live?

What all is covered in the sacramental ritual called Eucharist? Is it just about penitence? Or does it cover everything? We explore the concept of food rituals and how Eucharist is intended to be a vast exercise in theological and ethical understanding.

What is a sacrament? And how does Eucharist accomplish the goal of being a sacrament? We explore the difference between “sacrament” and “Sacrament” and how this ritual should fit into the theological and ethical life of Christianity.

Our cultural climate is begging for a response. Especially in rural America, what do we do with racism and injustice. Jon Torrence, a member of our small community, offers his perspective.An impromptu response to what was a crazy Saturday, we got together at a kitchen table and did the only thing we felt like we could do — connect with the small place where we are to help change the world…beginning with where we are. In the spirit of Pentecost Sunday, our conclusions seem appropriate.

An unexpected story that may reveal dimensions to Jesus’ Resurrection that we don’t ordinarily see. The story is written and performed by Jessi Turri for the Unfolded Podcast. You can find more at: unfolded.jessiturri.com.

Experience the journey of Jesus’ last hours through a tactile movement of stations.

The last week of Jesus’ life & what it means for understanding Jesus’ death and resurrection. This audio story explores the journey from Palm Sunday to Jesus’ interaction with Passover and ends with a Tenebrae style service of Jesus’ death and burial. Music by Noah Martis.

A sensory process to engage with Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent in a tactile way. This experience is not only meant to help you understand Ash Wednesday, but also encounter the process of Ash Wednesday in a meaningful way. This can be done at home (instructions are included in the PDF and in the audio).

The journey from Advent to Christmas - told through the art of music and the profundity of stories. From a beggar in a rebellious village to Saint Nicholas retelling The Night Before Christmas and the beautiful example of Mary - we experienced the depth of incarnation and what it means for us today. Because the story of the world is not the end of the story. What is being conceived in you? For the world is about to turn.

A sensory process to engage with Advent in a tactile way. Journey through Advent not only with your head, but with your hands. This can be done at home without audio (instructions are included in a PDF on our website).