We’re preaching through Genesis as a church, and I’ve had the privilege of preaching through chapters 25-32. Preaching narrative, stories basically, is fun, but it’s also challenging. I have amazed, however, how much the lives of Isaac, Jacob and their relatives have to teach us.
The chapter for this past Sunday was technically Genesis 32, but since we were invited to Iztapalapa’s 19th church anniversary, we didn’t continue on with our previously scheduled chapter. I went back to all 55 verses of chapter 31.
I never cease to be amazed how honest the Bible is. Biblical heroes, practically all of them, were a really human bunch. Jacob is a real piece of work. Genesis 31 has it all…gossip, half-truths, accusations, mind-reading (judging), extreme positions, hasty and erroneous decisions, deceit…it reads like a Mexican soap opera.
After studying a bit about Jacob the usurper, we divided up the church into three groups. Each one had 10 minutes to prepare a 3-4 minute skit on what dysfunctional communication looks like in the workplace, the church and the family. We had quite the time!
