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Podcast 296 -- The Prodigal Family Selections from Genesis 43, 45-46 Jun 20, 2023

Show notes

Twenty years after his son Joseph is believed to have been killed by a wild beast, Jacob discovers his lost son not only is alive but is the top-ranking official Egypt second only to the Pharoah, Amidst a devastating famine, Joseph offers welcomes his family with forgiveness and deliverance. Author Chad Bird calls this a "eucatastrophe" (Google it!). We continue our study of "Limping with God," revisiting the story of Joseph's reunion with his father and brothers from Jacob's perspective.

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Podcast 295 -- Grieving for a Buried Future Genesis 35:16-27; 37:1-35 Jun 13, 2023

Show notes

Like all men, Jacob must deal will inevitable transitions that come with middle age, although for this patriarch, the pain will run deep. His beloved Rachel dies in childbirth, bearing him his 12th son. His father Isaac dies soon after. What follows is the devastating loss of his favorite son, Joseph, whom his brothers, out of jealousy and hatred, sold into slavery yet told Jacob he had been killed by a wild beast. We look at this well-known story from Jacob's perspective, and discuss the tragedy and grief for lives cut short and how men--and those who love them--should navigate the grieving process and general transitions of life.

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Podcast 294 -- Whose Honor? Genesis 34-35 May 30, 2023

Show notes

We come to a story of bloody vengeance. Shechem, son of Hamor, kidnaps and rapes Dinah, Jacob’s daughter by Leah. Three days later, Jacob's sons Simeon and Levi slaughter all the men of the city and take Dinah back. The other sons follow and loot what's left. We’ve all heard the criticism from non-Christians: “What sort of God allows wholesale slaughter?” And Christians would rather look past some of the more violent episodes in the Old Testament. We don't. What went wrong here? What are the takeaways for believers in contemporary times? We also look at some of the places Jacob's story takes us, like Bethel and Shechem, and how they tend to recur throughout the Bible.

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Podcast 293 -- A Dust-Up with God Genesis 32-33 May 16, 2023

Show notes

We unpack one of the strangest yet most colorful episodes in the Bible—Jacob’s all-night wrestling match with God, who takes on a proto-incarnate form. The encounter will permanently change Jacob, who emerges with a new name—Israel—and a limp to serve as a reminder of the contest. We look at both the literal narrative as well as how it symbolically reflects our own lifelong wrestling with the Lord. Follow along with our study source: “Limping with God: Jacob and the Old Testament Guide to Messy Discipleship” by Chad Bird.

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Podcast 292 -- Jacob's Fruitful Winter Genesis 29-31 May 09, 2023

Show notes

If you thought Jacob was a piece of work, wait ‘til you meet his Uncle Laban. We look at the 20 years Jacob spends working for his mother’s brother, who cheats and exploits him every chance he gets. Over time, however, Jacob gains both family and wealth, as well as knowledge through hardship. All men deal with career and family struggles at points in their lives. We talk about both the good and bad ways Jacob reacted to his.

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Podcast 291 -- Stairway to Heaven Genesis 28:10-21 May 02, 2023

Show notes

Jacob's dream-vision has inspired artists and songwriters for centuries. We examine the symbolism of the dream and what it tells--and foretells--us about God. In the context of Jacob's story, we discuss how it marks the beginning of a gradual change in the patriarch's relationship with God, who will make new demands of him. When stealing Esau's birthright and blessing, should Jacob have been more careful about what he was asking for?

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Podcast 290 -- The First Recorded Case of Identity Theft Genesis 25:27-34; 26:34-27:46 Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

Jacob steals his brother Esau's birthright and later, his father's blessing. Yet how complicit is Esau in this? How gullible was Isaac? We examine the dysfunction in Isaac's household, where resentments fester, favorites are chosen and used against each other, and to what degree, if any, this was part of a greater divine plan. Do scholars try too hard to justify Jacob's duplicity? Are they too rough on Esau? We also debate whether the long life spans of the patriarchs are literally true, or mythologized to make a point.

Follow along with us. Order your copy of with Limping with God: Jacob and the Old Testament Guide to Messy Discipleship by Chad Bird.

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Podcast 289 -- WWE Smackdown (In Utero Edition) Genesis 25:19-26 Apr 18, 2023

Show notes

We begin a study of Jacob, scoundrel, cheat, con-man and ultimately God's choice to be founder of the Nation of Israel. We start with his dubious birth and immediate rivalry with his older twin and apparent pre-natal wrestling foe. Sunday school lessons like to focus on the morally virtuous figures of the Old Testament. While some men walk with God, others can only limp. In this series we'll look at one of the most morally compromised Biblical "heroes," and the flaws that make him that much more a relatable character. Our study source is Limping with God: Jacob and the Old Testament Guide to Messy Discipleship by Chad Bird.

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Podcast 288 -- Life, Completed 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

Picking up on the Men Matter podcast series "Leave With Your Bags Packed," the panel talks about plans, spiritual goals and transitions they are making as they enter or approach retirement.

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Men Matter -- Leave With Your Bags Packed Part 3: Always Be Fearless Apr 06, 2023

Show notes

In the conclusion of our series on living full to the very end, Bill and Steve talk about the importance of setting goals after retirement and finding new purpose.

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