February 13 / Genesis 26

Genesis 26 Dear RTB’ers, Today is our last day in Genesis for a while. Tomorrow we return to Luke to cover another third of his gospel; then after about three weeks we’ll come back to Genesis. Today’s reading covers a series of events in Isaac’s life. It’s the only occasion where the focus is on …

February 12 / Genesis 24:61-25:34

Genesis 24:61-25:34 Dear RTB’ers, I mentioned yesterday that Isaac’s “story” quickly shifts to his sons instead. Jacob and Esau are at odds with each other from their time in the womb (Gen. 25:27), then in their actual birth, with Jacob holding on to Esau9’s heel (Gen. 25:26). Their difficulties continue with Esau selling his birthright …

February 11 / Genesis 24:1-60

Genesis 24:1-60 Dear RTB’ers, A wife for Isaac. Of the three patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), Isaac gets the least mention. We met Abraham back in Genesis 11 and will bury him in Genesis 25. Jacob is born in Genesis 26 and we will follow him into Egypt until he is buried in Genesis 50. With …

February 10 / Genesis 23

Genesis 23 Dear RTB’ers, On our second day of reading this year I asked about Genesis 3 being a stand-alone chapter, while on both sides of Genesis 3 we had chapters doubled up (1-2 and 4-5). I argued that Genesis 3 deserved its solitary status, with sin entering the world through Adam and Eve’s disobedience …

February 9 / Genesis 21:22-22:24

Genesis 21:22-22:24 Dear RTB’ers, Today, in my mind, the most powerful story in the Old Testament, Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac. As we read through the Old Testament, we will see how Joseph and Moses prefigured Jesus by delivering their people – Joseph bringing his brothers and their families to Egypt to escape the famine in …

February 8 / Genesis 20:1-21:21

Genesis 20:1-21:21 Dear RTB’ers, Two stories today, Abram-Abimelech and Isaac-Ishmael. The Abimelech incident is similar to the one we encountered a few days ago when Abram took a little trip down to Egypt (Genesis 12:10-20). In both cases Abraham told Sarah to say that she was his sister, not his wife. I certainly don’t understand …

February 7 / Genesis 19

Genesis 19 Dear RTB’ers, Genesis 19, one of the saddest chapters in the Bible. How could anyone read Genesis 19 and still be positive for same-sex issues? The men of Sodom speaking: “Bring them out to us, that we may know them.” (v. 5b, ESV) The NASB is more deliberate: “Bring them out to us …

February 6 / Genesis 18

Genesis 18 Dear RTB’ers, I mentioned yesterday that we would see “the angel of the LORD” appearing in our readings as we moved through the Bible. Today we see the LORD Himself coming to Abraham, along with two companions: And the LORD appeared to him… and behold, three men were standing in front of him. …

February 5 / Genesis 16-17

Genesis 16-17 Dear RTB’ers, Early on I suggested that I try to get my e-mail posts out by 8:00 AM, or 9:00 AM at the latest. Obviously I have not held myself firmly to that schedule, but I do try to post early. Today, however, the newborn child across the driveway created my delay. So, …

February 4 / Genesis 15

Genesis 15 Dear RTB’ers, Today, a short reading, not as much action, mostly a conversation between the Lord and Abraham. On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram… (v. 18a). This is now the second covenant between God and His people. The first was with Noah (God speaking): “Behold, I establish My covenant …