Enstoried

E27 - Genesis 25 - Born Identity

You only get one shot at being born first. That's why twin brothers Jacob and Esau were literally wrestling with each other within the womb, and why their relationship remained contentious for most of their lives. Today on Enstoried, the blessing of being firstborn. Why it mattered then, does it still matter today, and how God tends to handle it more often than not in the Bible. 

E26 - Genesis 24 - She Said Yes!

Abraham's final act is sending his chief servant back to his homeland to find a wife for his son Isaac. What follows is a beautiful weaving together of the sovereign will of God and human striving. This story is a great example of how the community of God works together to discern what God is doing, and how they can live into his plans. 

E25 - Genesis 23 - Parcel of Promise

Buying real estate in ancient Canaan was not a straightforward business - at least not to people reading about it a few thousand years later. But Abraham will do what he must in order to give his wife Sarah a proper burial. Today on Enstoried, the Abraham story nears its close with the death and burial of Sarah. God not only provides the place Abraham needs to bury his wife, he continues to demonstrate his faithfulness to the promises he made. 

E24 - Genesis 22 - Going Up

After waiting so very long for his son Isaac to be born, Abraham is asked by God to give him back - by way of sacrifice. Today on Enstoried, we explore the ins and outs of the sacrifice of Isaac. What is a "going up" offering, and is it possible that God has spent the past 25 years with Abraham preparing him for this very moment?

E23 - Genesis 21 - The Scooby Doo Effect

After 25 long years, Sarah gives birth to the son God promised she would have, and she laughs with joy. But the laughter stops when she considers the reality that her son Isaac is not Abraham's first born and will be second in line to Ishmael to inherit the estate. Today on Enstoried, brokenness in the Abraham story. It doesn't get any more human that this, and yet, God is working not in spite of it but through it, blessing everyone involved along the way.

E22 - Genesis 20 - She is NOT Your Sister Dude

Abraham is not only imperfect - he's deeply flawed, and the Bible tells his story without reservation. In Genesis 20, the Canaanite king Abimelech is tricked by Abraham and Sarah, putting him in a rough spot with God. But God acknowledges the pagan king's innocence and still uses the guilty Abraham to resolve the situation through prayer. And if God can use Abraham in spite of his serious shortcomings and lack of faith, he can use us to be a blessing to others as well. 

E21 - Genesis 19 - Mercy in Dark Places

When the angels of God go down to visit Sodom, Lot's hospitality mirrors that of Abraham, but it can't make up for the ways of the people of Sodom. Although God moves to save Lot and his family from the destruction, Sodom remains in their hearts and it becomes clear that humanity will need another intercessor than Abraham - one who can ultimately transform the human heart. 

E20 - Genesis 18 - Driving a Hard Bargain

God comes to dinner at Abraham and Sarah's tent to remind them that he meant what he said about them still having a son together, but also to let Abraham in on some inside information: the city of Sodom is about to be overthrown for how corrupt they've become. Not wanting his nephew Lot to be swept away along with the people of Sodom, Abraham successfully negotiates with God to have the city spared if only ten good people can be found there. But will that be enough to save Lot and the rest of the city?

E19 - Genesis 17 - Skin in the Game

God tells Abraham he's about to have another son, and this time he promises Sarah will be the mother. He also tells Abraham to circumcise himself and his household as a sign of covenant fidelity and a commitment to walk before God and live faithfully to him always. Can Abraham even consistently do that, and if he can't, how will that affect God's covenant with him?

E18 - Genesis 16 - The Hardest Part

Abraham and Sarah wait 10 years on the promised son before they get desperate and take matters into their own hands. Why would God wait so long when he could give them a son any time he wanted? It turns out there may have been more than one reason.