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Jacob's move to Paddan-Aram was never meant to be permanent, for the LORD had promised to bring Jacob back to the Promised Land. Joseph's birth spurs Jacob to request leave of Laban, who continues his wily ways toward his nephew. Laban agrees to pay Jacob wages from his flocks, but Laban's attempt to keep wealth for himself is futile. The LORD blesses Jacob's strange breeding techniques and causes Jacob's flocks to grow. Throughout the text, the LORD is faithful to the promise He made to Jacob, and He continues to sustain the line of the Promised Christ. Rev. Dr. John Bombaro, pastor at St. James Lutheran Church and School in Lafayette, IN and Navy Chaplain with the United States Marine Corps, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Genesis 30:25-43. To learn more about St. James, visit stjameslaf.org. “In the Beginning” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies Genesis. The first book of Moses sets the stage for God's entire story of salvation. As we learn the beginning of the story, God prepares us to receive the fulfillment of the story: Jesus Christ, the Offspring of the woman who has crushed our enemy's head. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org
"And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb." In the quiet hill country of Judea, the first confession of faith in the New Testament is made not by a scholar, but by an unborn child in the presence of the Incarnate Lord. In part 4 of a special 12-part series connecting Old Testament prophecy to New Testament fulfillment, we witness the joyous meeting of Mary and Elizabeth. As the Holy Spirit fills the house, Mary bursts into song—the Magnificat—proclaiming a God who scatters the proud and lifts up the humble. The Rev. Mark Loder, pastor of St. James Lutheran Church & School in Howard Lake, MN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Luke 1:39–56. To learn more about St. James Lutheran, visit stjameshl.org. This Advent series begins by covering the last Old Testament prophet, Malachi, and then spends twelve episodes alternating between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment, tracing God's promises from Isaiah to the birth of Christ. The series explores Emmanuel's promise, the Davidic King, John the Baptist as forerunner, and reaches its climax with the Nativity. The final episodes examine the Suffering Servant, the shadow of the cross in Christ's infancy, Isaiah's Messianic mission statement, and John's declaration that "the Word became flesh." Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
Having preached the condemnation that Israel's idolatry deserved, Hosea once more calls the people to return to the LORD in honest confession. He gives them words to speak that both acknowledge the guilt and folly of their idolatry and look to the LORD's mercy with faith. The LORD is quick with His promise. He speaks words of healing and love, in which He will cause His people to flourish in safety once again. Unlike idols that only make demands, the LORD promises only His gifts. Hosea calls Israel to hear the LORD's word with the wisdom of faith, walking in the way that leads to life. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of this promise, for He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Rev. Dr. John Bombaro, pastor at St. James Lutheran Church and School in Lafayette, IN and a chaplain for the LCMS serving with the 14th Marine Regiment, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Hosea 14:1-9. To learn more about St. James Lutheran, visit stjameslaf.org. “Majoring in the Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Micah, and Nahum. Although the books of these prophets are shorter, the Word of God they preached was important in the years leading up to the coming of the Christ, and that Word remains important for the Church today. Just as we still need to listen to their call to repentance over our idolatry, so we still need to heed their call to trust in the Savior, Jesus. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org