CJC Weekly Bible Study through the Book of Genesis

"Joseph's Sting Operation." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 44:1-14 as its main text. It has been twenty-two years since Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery. Have they changed in that time? Today, we will find out!

"A Series of Shocking Events (Part 2)." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 43:26-34 as its main text. The famine rages on, Jacob finally agrees to let the boys take Benjamin back to Egypt for more grain, and the boys must be shocked by what transpires at the Egyptian official's house.

"A Series of Shocking Events (Part 1)." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 43:16-25 as its main text. The famine rages on, Jacob finally agrees to let the boys take Benjamin back to Egypt for more grain, and the boys are afraid as they stand on the threshold of the unknown at the official's house. So much of what happens is so unexpected that it is shocking.

"Jacob Surrenders Benjamin to God." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 43:1-15 as its main text. To save his family from the famine, Jacob needs grain from Egypt. But he cannot send his older sons back to Egypt unless he is willing to let them take his youngest son Benjamin. He holds out until he has no other choice, and finally surrenders Benjamin to God's care.

"Overwhelmed by Circumstances." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 42:25-38 as its main text. Upon hearing his sons' troubling report after their return from Egypt, Jacob is overwhelmed by his circumstances.

"Joseph Interrogates His Brothers." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 42:9b-24 as its main text. Joseph's brothers have come down to Egypt to buy grain. Joseph recognizes them and notices that Benjamin is not present. He interrogates his brothers and ultimately imprisons them as he works out a way to test the honesty of the men as well as see his younger brother Benjamin again.

"Joseph's Brothers Bow Before Him." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 42:1-9a as its main text. It has been twenty years since Joseph was sold by his brothers as a slave, and now here they are, bowing before him just as he had dreamed so long ago! Surely Joseph sees that the hand of God has been on his life all along!

"Joseph is Promoted." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 41:40-57 as its main text. After thirteen years in Egypt (with many of those spent in misery), Joseph is promoted to a position of authority over the land. How quickly God can elevate the humble!

"The Spirit of God in Joseph." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 41:37-39 as its main text. Here, for the first time in the Bible, we're introduced to the idea of the Spirit of God being in a person. We take a quick tour from Genesis to Revelation touching on some of the highlights of the activity of the Spirit of God in the lives of believers.

"Joseph Interprets The King's Dreams." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 41:15-36 as its main text. Pharaoh, the king of the land and thought by many to be a god, has some crazy dreams that even his own dream-interpreters can't interpret. But God gives Joseph the interpretation, and Joseph additionally gives the king some advice.

"Joseph Is Summoned by the King." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 41:1-14 as its main text. Pharaoh, the king of the land and thought by many to be a god, has some crazy dreams that even his own dream-interpreters can't interpret. Joseph is summoned, cleaned up, and brought from the prison to the palace. And we smile as we realize that God worked out all of the details to make this happen.

"Joseph Interprets Dreams." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 40:8-23 as its main text. God allows Joseph to interpret the dreams of Pharoah's officials. The prophecies come true at the exact time predicted. This is amazing! Yet, at the same time, this is pretty normal in the Bible! God can reveal His plan through dreams, but dreams fade. Wouldn't you rather have God communicate to you in written form rather than in a dream that fades? Oh, wait! He has! In His Word... which we call the Bible! How thoughtful of Him to communicate His love, His plan, His nature and character to us in the Bible!

"Joseph In Prison." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 39:22-40:8a as its main text. Joseph chose to honor God by resisting temptation and now he's in prison. Doesn't God care? Yes, He does! Don't let your circumstances blind you to God's goodness! Today's lesson contains seven different "Seeds of Application."

"Potiphar's Lustful Wife." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 39:7-21 as its main text. Sometimes temptation comes subtly. And then there are other times when (as we'll see today) temptation reaches out and grabs hold of you! But God promises to provide a way of escape.

"Joseph Arrives In Egypt." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 39:1-6 as its main text. Here we rejoin Joseph as he enters Egypt as a slave. We might expect him to be depressed and bitter, but God is with Him and blesses Him.

"Judah, Tamar and our Sovereign God." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 38:13-30 as its main text. Here's another twisted situation for our consideration, which ultimately shows that God is Sovereign over the affairs of men (and women)!

"It's Not About Masterbation." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 38:1-12 as its main text. Seriously? Did he just say that? Can you say that in a Bible Study? Yes, I did, and yes, I can! In today's episode, we find ourselves in a strange passage that seems to be about masterbation.

"The Favorite Son Is Enslaved." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 37:12-35 as its main text. In today's episode, we watch in horror as the older sons of Jacob plot to kill (but ultimately sell) their younger brother Joseph as a slave.

"The Dreamer in the Fancy Coat." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 37:1-11 as its main text. In today's episode, we cringe as we witness Joseph's brothers grow in their hatred of him as Jacob's favorite son.

"Dismissing Esau." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 36 as its main text. In today's episode, we cover an entire chapter of material, and it's mostly hard-to-pronounce names! But in the midst of the tediousness, we find some puzzle pieces which seem to give us a clearer picture of some of the people and places that figure prominently in our broader study of God's Word.

"Celebration of Life for Isaac." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 35:22b-29 as its main text. In today's episode, we attend a Celebration of Life service for Isaac, one of the great Old Testament patriarchs. Join us as we listen to three significant figures tell of significant experiences in Isaac's life.

"Benjamin's Birth and Rachel's Death." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 35:16-22a as its main text. In today's episode, we rejoice with Rachel as she gives birth to her second son! Yet our rejoicing is cut short as we mourn with Israel over his beloved Rachel who dies immediately after giving birth.

"The Drink Offering." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 35:5-15 as its main text. In today's episode, we have a study (on the drink offering) within a study (in our current passage in Genesis). By the end, you'll be blessed, inspired, and challenged in your life with God.

"Get Rid Of Your Old gods." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 35:1-4 as its main text. In today's episode, we are confronted with how modern and relevant this ancient scene of getting rid of the competing gods in our lives can be. We're also challenged to do the same in our lives as Jacob did in his.

"Deceit Cloaked in Religion." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 34:13-31 as its main text. Join us today as we look at one of the darkest, most tragic, most heinous stories in the Book of Genesis.

"The Story of the Prodigal Daughter." That's the title of today's episode which has Genesis 34:1-12 as its main text. In today's tragic story, Jacob's daughter Dinah wants to see what life is like outside of the life she has experienced at home... with tragic results.

“Israel Returns to the Promised Land.” That is the title of today’s episode which has Genesis 33:12-20 as its main text. In today’s episode, Jacob (also known as Israel), finally (after several decades) makes it back to the Land promised to his family by God.

"Jacob Reunites With Esau." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 33:1-11 as its main text. In today's study, we watch the efforts taken toward reconciliation, and we're challenged to take the first step in repairing broken relationships in our own lives.

"A Wrestling Match For The Ages." That's the title of today's episode which has Genesis 32:22-32 as its main text. In today's episode, Jacob is alone in the night when he ends up finding himself in a wrestling match with an unnamed attacker until daybreak!

"Restoration Requires Sacrifice." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 32:13-21 as its main text. In today's episode, we watch the process of restoration of the relationship between Jacob and his brother Esau, and we come up with five practical steps toward reconciliation for our own broken relationships.

"Esau is Coming!" That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 32:1-13a as its main text. In today's episode, we see that though Jacob has matured in his faith, he is still susceptible to falling into fear. And aren't we the same?

"Jacob's Covenant With Laban." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 31:44-55 as its main text. In today's episode, we're challenged to commemorate God's work in our lives thus far, to get help in separating ourselves from our troubles, and we're reminded that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

"Jacob's Clash With Laban." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 31:36-43 as its main text. In today's episode, twenty years of Jacob's pent-up anger bursts forth! We hear his testimony of his having had a good worth ethic and of having been a good shepherd. And, of course, we find challenges and encouragement for ourselves in this clash.

"God Protects Jacob from Laban." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 31:24-35 as its main text. In today's episode, Laban has in mind to harm Jacob. But God warns Laban to not even speak to Jacob negatively. In contrast to the One True God who issued this warning to him, Laban can't seem to find his little, impotent gods hidden in a saddlebag being sat upon by Rachel.

"Jacob Sneaks Away." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 31:14-23 as its main text. In today's episode, Laban is away on business so Jacob and his wives plan to leave while Laban is gone. In their preparations, Jacob's beloved wife Rachel secretly steals Laban's household idols, not realizing that her indiscretion may cost her her life.

"Jacob's Disfavor Grows." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 30:3-31:13 as its main text. In today's episode, we see that Laban and his sons no longer look upon Jacob with favor. This change of circumstances, as well as a vision from the Lord, convince Jacob that the time has come for him to return to Canaan.

"Jacob's Estate Grows." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 30:25-42 as its main text. In this episode, we scratch our heads as we look at the methods which are used by Jacob to increase his wealth. "That can't possibly work," we tell ourselves! We're reminded that just because we may feel like we're using cutting-edge science today, we may find our methods discredited tomorrow... and that science doesn't have it all figured out.

"Jacob's Family Grows." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 30:14-24 as its main text. In this episode, Rachel and Leah worked hard in their competition for preeminence as best wife and mother. Leah clearly has an advantage due to her many sons. But this passage ends with Rachel finally able to conceive and bear a son.

"Jacob Starts A Family" That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 29:31-30:13 as its main text. In this episode, Jacob begins to have sons born to him, but they're born out of sibling rivalry between his two wives, Rachel and Leah.

"When Is Divorce An Option?" That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 29:27-30 as its main text. Jacob has been tricked into marrying the older, less-desirable sister of the woman of his dreams. What were Jacob's options at this point? Was divorce an option? When is divorce an option? Join us as we look at passages from Genesis and Revelation, and several points in between.

"Jacob Gets Tricked!" That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 29:15-26 as its main text. In today's episode, Jacob agrees to work for seven years for permission to marry Rachel. But on the morning after the wedding, he gets quite a surprise!

"Jacob Meets Rachel." That's the title of today's episode, which has Genesis 29:1-14 as its main passage. In last week's episode, God promised that He would be with Jacob. In this week's episode, we see (once again!) evidence that God keeps His promises.