Teaching by Book: Genesis
In the Beginning, Part 57: Jacob’s Spiritual Sight
In spite of the fact that we have fallen and failed time after time, God has been our shepherd and has gone before us. Our view of eternity guides our life of uncertainty.
Watch / ListenIn the Beginning, Part 56: Escaping Egypt
No matter what is going on in your life, you are still in “Egypt,” the land of your affliction. But if you have put your trust in Christ, you can know that you will someday escape Egypt to dwell in an eternal, heavenly city.
Watch / ListenIn the Beginning, Part 55: Down Into Egypt
If you want to gain an eternal perspective, you must see yourself as a pilgrim, understand that life is a vapor, hold no confidence in human promises, realize that your life is in transition, and take inventory of your life.
Watch / ListenIn the Beginning, Part 54: Joseph Is Revealed
We all contribute to the mess that exists in the world, but we can look back and see that everything is designed for our good and God’s glory. By seeing God as sovereign, it replaces bitterness with love, forgiveness, and grace.
Watch / ListenIn the Beginning, Part 53: The Coat and the Cup
When Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, they took his coat and used it to bring great pain to their father. But when a missing cup threatens the life of their youngest brother Benjamin, Judah is willing to offer his own life instead.
Watch / ListenIn the Beginning, Part 52: A Meal in a Palace
Joseph’s brothers sat down and had a meal while Joseph was trapped in a pit. Many years later, Joseph invited them to a meal in a palace. None of what happened to Joseph was “good luck” or “bad luck,” but it was the providential working of God to bring about His sovereign plan to redeem the world.
Watch / ListenIn the Beginning, Part 51: Awakening of the Conscience
The accounts of Scripture are not just about individual people in history; they are a revelation of the human condition and our desperate need for somebody to take our sin and get rid of our guilty consciences. All pillows are soft if your conscience is clear.
Watch / ListenIn the Beginning, Part 50: Pharaoh’s Dreams
Pharaoh has absolutely everything—but in reality he has nothing. Joseph has absolutely nothing—but in reality he has everything. Joseph’s encounter with Pharaoh has echoes of revelation, illumination, identity, and suffering, all of which find their fulfillment in Christ.
Watch / ListenIn the Beginning, Part 49: Joseph’s Patient Hope
In a fallen and broken world, we are constantly going to be waiting. Waiting on the Lord is hard, but joy is the inner spiritual confidence that God’s grace is sufficient to see you through your earthly pilgrimage.
Watch / ListenIn the Beginning, Part 48: Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife
What appears to be a downward spiral in Joseph’s life is actually a trajectory toward greatness, because of the Lord’s providential working. Joseph’s identity was in the Lord, and the Lord was always with Joseph.
Watch / ListenIn the Beginning, Part 47: Judah and Tamar
Judah married outside of his family line and was influenced by a pagan culture. He was a hypocrite, liar, and murderer. Sin gives birth to sin. Yet no sin can ever thwart God’s perfect plans.
Watch / ListenIn the Beginning, Part 46: Providence Has the Last Word
Difficulty does not mean you are out of God’s will; it might mean you are right at the center of it. The world appears to be winning, but the providence of God will have the last word.
Watch / ListenIn the Beginning, Part 45: Favorite Son, Jealous Brothers
Joseph’s brothers were immersed in unresolved bitterness that led them into grievous sin. The same can happen to any of us, but as we meditate day and night on God’s Word, He changes our hearts, minds, and souls.
Watch / ListenIn the Beginning, Part 44: Introduction to Joseph
Every single link of Joseph’s life—the good, the bad, and the ugly—was leveraged by God to bring about His sovereign, glorious purposes. Each chapter of Joseph’s life shows that he continued to follow God, and that God was with him in all things.
Watch / ListenIn the Beginning, Part 43: Echoes of Human Nature
Genesis 34 is a tragic chapter that depicts the dangers of poor parenting, favoritism, the escalation of sin, worldliness, and self-centeredness. But we all will act deceptively when we don’t trust in God’s sovereignty.
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