Coram Deo Church — Bremerton, WA

Understanding the text One of the reasons that Leviticus forbids men from marrying more than one woman is the inevitable contempt, strife, and jealousy that it creates. This is powerfully and tragically demonstrated in this text. Leah and Rachel were sisters and shared the same husband, Jacob. Leah had not yet had any children. This was a matter of great shame for her and she believed that if she...

Understanding the text Jacob, who deceived his own father, now experiences deception at the hand of Laban, his uncle. After greatly desiring to marry Rachel, who was beautiful, and after working seven years to earn her hand in marriage, Jacob is tricked by Laban into marrying Rachel’s sister, Leah. There is a certain irony in this twist of events. Jacob gets a taste of his own medicine. Leah, who...

Understanding the text God speaks through the Word, creation, and through His Son. But at times, God also speaks through dreams, as is the case in this particular text. In Jacob’s dream, God reaffirms His covenant promise to provide land and numerous descendants. God is still carrying out the plan and promise He gave to Abraham. However, in this dream, there is an added element that foreshadows Ch...

Understanding the text The Bible is full of examples for us to consider. Sometimes these examples show us how to conduct our lives in a godly manner, and sometimes they show us what not to do. In this particular text, we get a glimpse of the mess that sin can make in a family. Dad (Isaac) seeks to secretly bless his oldest son so that his wife (Rebekah) won’t find out. This was done in direct oppo...

Understanding the text At times, reading Genesis can be like driving around a cul-de-sac again and again. As we work through each chapter, we begin to notice familiar territory, reoccurring themes, and stories. In this text, Isaac, like his father Abraham, deceives Abimelech, King of the Philistines, in order to spare his wife. All of this was brought on by his attempt to avoid a famine, much like...

Understanding the text Once again in Genesis, we meet a woman who struggles to have children. As was the case with Sarah, Rebekah’s barrenness presents a threat to the covenant promise. But as He did for Sarah, (and as He would do for Mary, the mother of Jesus), God provides a son. In fact, God provides two sons. These two men could not be more different. Esau, by virtue of being the older brother...

Understanding the text Abraham had a front row seat to the sovereign covenant-keeping ways of God. He was called out of his homeland into the unknown, having only the promise of God to cling to. He had witnessed God’s power in granting him a son through Sarah, his once barren wife. He also saw how God had spared Isaac, the son of promise (Genesis 22:8), by providing a sacrificial lamb for their of...

Applying the text 1. Take a moment to remember your own past. What was your life like before Jesus saved you? What were you like? 2. How is your life different now because of what Jesus has done? 3. What needs do you see in our community? How might God use you to provide for the needy and powerless?

Applying the text 1. What does the text teach us about the love of God? 2. Why is our love for one another the test for the genuineness of our relationship with God? 3. How is God challenging you to grow in your love for others? What specific changes need to be made in your life?

Applying the text 1. Matthew tells us that the question about the greatest commandment was intended to be a test. In what way do you think the lawyer was trying to test Jesus? 2. Why do you think Jesus made a distinction between the first and second great commandments? Why is this distinction so important? 3. How can understanding our inability to keep this command actually cause us to grow in our...