Blog

07
Sep
2024

The Unsexual Sexual Sin: Reuben’s True Intentions in Genesis 35

Reuben's

In Genesis 35, we encounter a brief, but significant, incident involving Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob. “While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it” (Gen. 35:22 BEREAN). This single verse, contained within a chapter detailing Jacob’s return to Bethel and the death of Rachel, carries weighty implications for the future of Jacob’s family and Reuben’s tribe. 

At first glance, Reuben’s act appears to be a straightforward case of sexual immorality. However, there is probably more going on here than a modern Bible student would be able to grasp given our societal expectations. Reuben’s actions may not have been about sexual gratification. There are at least two other reasons he may have sinned in this way against his father and Bilhah. An examination of the cultural context reveals a more complex situation involving power dynamics, social status, and clan leadership.

Continue reading →
Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Genesis
31
Aug
2024

The Wrestling Match That Renamed a Patriarch

Wrestling

Jacob’s journey back to the land of promise has so far been an adventure. After coming to terms with his angry father-in-law, he moved on and camped at Mahanaim and Peniel. As he re-entered the land, he saw another vision of angels (Gen 32:1) which bookends his experience of seeing them at Bethel when he left the land years earlier (Gen 28:10-17). Jacob was about to have a very odd spiritual encounter, a strange wrestling match, but first he must prepare to meet his estranged brother Esau.

The weight of past betrayal hangs heavy on Jacob’s mind. Years earlier, he had deceived his father and stolen Esau’s birthright (Gen 25, 27). Now, as he approaches his homeland, fear grips him. Will Esau seek revenge? This anxiety drives Jacob to craft a meticulous plan to appease his brother.

Continue reading →
Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Angels, Genesis
24
Aug
2024

Tulul adh-Dhahab: The Camp of God?

Camp
The “camp of God?” Photo: BiblePlaces.com

After Jacob’s tense encounter with his father-in-law Laban at Galeed (Gen 31) he resumed his journey home. As he was approaching the land God had promised to him, he had an angelic encounter at a place which he called the “camp of God.”

1 Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God.” So he named that place Mahanaim. (Gen. 32:1-2 BEREAN)

Jacob had an encounter with God as he was leaving the land of promise at Bethel (Gen 28:10-17) and had another on his way back. Now, as he returns to face his past and his brother, God again reassures him of divine presence and protection. David assigned two names to the place where he camped. He named it Mahanaim (meaning “two camps”) and, after wrestling with an angel there, also called it Peniel (Genesis 32:30), which means “face of God.”

Continue reading →
Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Archaeology, Genesis
17
Aug
2024

Was Rachel an Idolater?

Rachel

Jacob’s life was always steeped in family drama and divine intervention. Years earlier, Jacob had fled his home after he deceived his father Isaac and incurred his brother Esau’s wrath (Gen 27:41-45). He sought refuge with his uncle Laban in Paddan-aram, where he married Laban’s daughters, Leah and Rachel (Gen 29:15-30).

Jacob’s relationship with Laban grew increasingly strained over the next two decades. Laban changed Jacob’s wages repeatedly and attempted to manipulate the flocks breeding to his own advantage (Gen 31:7-9). Despite these challenges, God blessed Jacob and multiplied his herds (Gen 30:43). Not only did Jacob feel cheated, but his wives felt that their father had cheated them as well. Now, Jacob heeds God’s call to return to the land of his fathers (Gen 31:3) and prepares to leave Laban’s household. 

Continue reading →
Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Ancient Customs, Genesis
10
Aug
2024

The Immortal Soul? Part 14: Painted into a Theological Corner

Painted

This is the final post of our series on the nature of the soul and the afterlife. We cannot emphasize enough that there are two major factors that have distorted Christian thought on these subjects since the late second century AD.

The first is a failure to grasp how the Bible defines the soul. The second is a failure to recognize the influence of pagan Greek philosophies on church doctrine. These misunderstandings, which began to take root not long after the apostolic era, has left many theologians and believers painted into a theological corner.

Continue reading →
Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Afterlife, Immortality