Do you recognize where these slogans come from? “Caring is part of our package.” “Find you family at . . . “ Did you guess Jack’s? If so, you only get partial credit because the business’s name is actually Jack’s Family Restaurants. In their branding as well as in their hiring, they want you to associateContinue reading “Celebrating Community”
Tag Archives: Genesis
Creating Community
As we move to Genesis 42, 13 years have passed since we were introduced to Joseph in chapter 37. Things are going well with him because the Lord has blessed him. He has risen from the ashes of his trials and tribulations to become second only to Pharaoh in Egypt (42:40). He has not beenContinue reading “Creating Community”
Family Man
Our readings in E-100 were about Noah this week. It’s worth noting that Genesis 1-11 is not only an introduction to the rest of Genesis (i.e., the story of God’s promises to the patriarchs), but is also an introduction to bigger story that spans the biblical witness—the story of God’s redemptive call in Jesus. Three eventsContinue reading “Family Man”
Limping Into The Sunrise (2)
We’ve rehearsed the account of Jacob wrestling with the angel before his reconciliation with Esau and his return to Canaan. As with all communication though, the question isn’t simply knowing what was said—we have to continue down the road by determining what was meant. Why did Moses tell us this story? What is its purpose?Continue reading “Limping Into The Sunrise (2)”
Joseph’s Brothers
It shouldn’t be that difficult for us to understand why Joseph’s brothers have a problem believing that he has forgiven them. After all, they were used to treating others in a manner that was much less than what they deserved (see Genesis 34 & 37), so they can’t relate to someone treating them better than they deserve. I don’t think they’reContinue reading “Joseph’s Brothers”
Genesis and Israel
It can be helpful to remind ourselves that Moses wrote Genesis (and the rest of Pentateuch) not to us, but to Israel as they were about to enter the land of Canaan. They had a language, they had a land, and they had a law, but they needed something more to have the solidarity HeContinue reading “Genesis and Israel”
Thinking about Community (1)
The early chapters of Genesis have much to say about community. The inspired record has scarcely started when we read that “it is not good for the man to be alone,” (Genesis 2:18). While this statement points primarily towards the marriage relationship, it also expresses the larger truth that God made us for relationships. We are social beings. ThoughContinue reading “Thinking about Community (1)”