Jacob flees from Laban, who pursues him with his brethren, but God intervenes in a dream, instructing Laban to speak neither good nor bad to Jacob. Jacob and Laban have a confrontation, with Jacob feeling justified in his anger, but ultimately realizing he was wrong to rebuke Laban, who was a mirror reflecting Jacob's own flaws. [... more]

The biblical story of Jacob and Laban's complex relationship, where Jacob uses deceit to increase his flocks, is contrasted with God's sovereignty and blessing, which can bring prosperity even in the midst of mess and conflict. [... more]

The story of Jacob's struggles with God and humans is a powerful reminder that we're not alone in our trials. Despite his doubts and fears, Jacob persevered and was blessed by God, who renamed him Israel. This encounter teaches us the importance of trusting in God's love and forgiveness, even when we can't grasp the truths of his presence. [... more]

Godly men can struggle with base temptations late in life, and idols can show up unexpectedly, threatening to take the place of God in our lives. The Bible teaches us that God's forgiveness is greater than our sins, and we can turn away from idols and find forgiveness in Jesus. [... more]

Faye's scars represent the pain of cancer or the start of healing, a choice Jacob also faced after his wrestling match with God in Genesis 32, where he received a new name, Israel, and a limp that symbolized the death of his old life and the beginning of his new life with God. [... more]

A woman named Akua reports her stolen household god to the authorities, only to be disappointed by its small size. Meanwhile, the biblical story of Jacob's encounter with God is retold, highlighting his wrestling match and the renaming of Jacob to Israel. The devotional scripture reading emphasizes the power and love of God, who is infinitely larger and more beautiful than any human-made idol. [... more]

The story of Jacob and Esau reveals the consequences of scheming and the importance of living with integrity. Jacob's actions against his brother and his mother's influence led to his journey to Haran, where he encountered Laban and his daughters Leah and Rachel. Through this story, the Bible teaches that God is sovereign and can bring about justice and redemption without our help, and that we should trust in Him and live with integrity rather than scheming and manipulating others. [... more]

Leah, one of Jesus' mothers, was the older of two identical twin sisters, born to Laban's family. She had weak eyes due to crying over her arranged marriage to Esau, but her sister Rachel's eyes were even more tender from weeping about marrying a man with a bad reputation. Leah's story is a testament to the complexities of family relationships and the power of redemption, as she navigated a difficult marriage and eventually gave birth to four of the 12 tribes of Israel, including Judah. [... more]

The story of Rebekah, Isaac's wife, and her role in securing the blessing for their son Jacob, despite her mistakes and the consequences that followed. Through her journey, we see how God blesses even the most flawed individuals and uses their experiences to bring about redemption and growth. [... more]

Every family is dysfunctional, but God can function in our dysfunction, working through imperfect people to bring spiritual growth and transformation. [... more]