Despite almost comic efforts to double-cross each other, Jacob’s family grows in fulfillment of God’s promise.

As Jacob flees from Esau’s anger, he sees a vision of a stairway or ladder to heaven – and soon finds the love of his life.

God seems to often choose the weakest people to proclaim his own strength.

When Jacob (later to be known as Israel) shows his tenacity and competitiveness even before his birth. Those characteristics will define his life.

The story of Isaac meeting Rebekah is appropriate for the literal parents of Israel.

The story of God testing Abraham by telling him to sacrifice Isaac is difficult for modern readers. Every part is foreign and revolting to us.

One thing the Bible shows us again and again is that God can use people even more messed up than we are – and that’s reassuring.

We usually think of the story of Sodom as just being about judgment, but in it we also see God’s grace at work.

From the very beginning, God’s provision for the chosen people included a wider circle than just the direct descendants of Abraham.

Abram (later called Abraham) meets a mysterious figure named Melchizedek, a priest even before the Hebrew priesthood was established.