In this recap, I go over the big stories in Genesis and see if there really is anything we can apply to our lives today or anything which will help us better understand our world. Spoiler alert: meh. The elephant video I mention: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHQU2cqrtZA My links: http://www.joelvanvliet.com
In this chapter, Jacob dies which ends the story of the Hebrew patriarchs. Then Joseph gives us a window into the will of God and how he undermines free will to do "good" which any idiot observing can see isn't really all that good. My links: http://www.joelvanvliet.com
In this chapter, Jacob does WAY more than ONE blessing, proving that Isaac was dicking Esau around. My links: http://www.joelvanvliet.com
In this chapter, Jacob is dying, but he takes some time to claim Joseph's half Egyptian kids as his own. Of course, this results in another firstborn/secondborn debacle as the Biblical writers can't come up with a new idea. My links: http://www.joelvanvliet.com
In this chapter, Israel settles in Goshen and the famine rages on. This results (the famine part) in Pharoah owning all of the Egyptians and placing them in indentured servitude aka the GOOD kind of slavery. God's brilliant, life saving plan kinda flubs in the end. My links: http://www.joelvanvliet.com
In this chapter, there's a little travel and a whole lot of names. My links: http://www.joelvanvliet.com
My links: http://www.joelvanvliet.com
In this chapter, Joseph's brothers return with Benjamin and Joseph finally drops the pretense! Oh, they laugh and cry and Joseph sends his brothers to get Jacob. Once Israel (Jacob) hears about Joseph, he doesn't bother following up on the bloodied dream coat... My links: http://www.joelvanvliet.com
In this chapter, Joseph's prank wears thin as evidenced by Jodah having to recount verbatim, the conversation he had with Israel/Jacob in chapters before. It's pretty tedious, but we get through it. My links: http://www.joelvanvliet.com
In this chapter, Judah pressures Jacob/Israel to let them bring Benjamin to Egypt and Israel/Jacob finally relents. When they arrive, Joseph shows that he's his father's son by being a real weepy baby. Then he prepares a lunch which hints at him knowing his brother's more than he should. There's also a subtle moment that I will be recounting in the forthcoming recap video (subscribe)! My links: http://www.joelvanvliet.com
In this chapter, Joseph finally sees his brothers again as they arrive in Egypt to get food. But he's not just going to go all Esau on them and forgive them immediately with a hug, he dicks them around in an effort to scare them AND get to see his full brother Benjamin. Of course, the brothers think they're being punished for Josephs blood that they forgot they didn't spill... My links: http://www.joelvanvliet.com
In this chapter, Pharoah has some disturbing dreams and tries to have them interpreted by all the wrong kinds of people. Luckily, his cup bearer remembers Joseph's particular skills and, after hitting the salon, he is sent in to see Pharoah. A quick call to God later and Joseph becomes the second most powerful man in Egypt. My links: http://www.joelvanvliet.com
In this chapter, Joseph uses his old skills as a dream interpreter to make new friends! My links: http://www.joelvanvliet.com
In this chapter, Joseph runs is accosted by Potifar's wife because he's just so beautiful. This happens after he's put in charge of everything (but they're really putting God in charge because he's the guy that's doing everything). Joseph is a slave and then a prisoner, yet, he's trusted and given all responsibility. Egyptians, like Christians, don't understand the definition of the word "slave". My links: http://www.joelvanvliet.com
In this chapter, I think we're going to continue the story of Joseph, but I'm pleasantly surprised by a wild tale of pulling out and prostitution! Judah is having a hard time keeping his son's alive because they're generally wicked or can't seem to aim their semen correctly. This results in his daughter-in-law tricking him into being her baby daddy by posing as a woman of the night. Since he just got over his late wife, he can't resist her charms. But hey, the best way to get over your wife is to get on top of your daughter-in-law! This highlights a ridiculous double standard. My links: http://www.joelvanvliet.com
In this chapter, we get the account of Jacob which is really all about Joseph. This is the beginning of the Joseph in Egypt saga we all know and love. Joseph is a spoiled brat who tattle-tails and thinks he's better than everyone else. After a couple dreams, his brothers get fed up and sell him into slavery (instead of killing him as is their original plan). Killing people is just a thing these folks consider haphazardly out of jealousy, I guess. My links: http://www.joelvanvliet.com
In this chapter, there's just a bunch of names and a few rants out of sheer frustration. Watch at your own risk. My links: http://www.joelvanvliet.com
In this chapter, Israel/Jacob is sent to do a sacrifice so we can have a quick and boring recap of the same old promise. Dotted in there is a non-payoff of the gods Rachel stole and a short, but dramatic scene of Rachel's death. Jacob then shows his true love for her by disregarding her dying wish. But, to be fair, she's just a woman. Then Rueben sleeps with his dad's property (concubine) and nothing comes of it. Then Israel dies, but they don't make a big deal about it. My links: http://www.joelvanvliet.com
In this chapter, Jacob braces himself for Esau's arrival, building up the suspense really well until... he gets a big ole bear hug! How sweet! Then 5 seconds later, Jacob tells Esau to leave. They don't need to spend SO much time together! Then Jacob buys some land and calls it Israel to, I assume, establish a nation. And that's it! Short and sweet! :) My links: http://www.joelvanvliet.com
In this chapter, you can see me wrestle, almost in real time, with a very difficult story. Someone is wronged, but it's hard to know whom or why. Either way, the retaliation is swift and brutal with a healthy dose of trickery. Stay tuned for my recap where I get into verse 29 a bit more than I do here. My links: http://www.joelvanvliet.com