Author Archives: Joseph Malekani

Genesis 38 Commentary The account of Jacob continues. We have heard about Reuben’s indiscretions – how he committed incest with his father’s wife. We also saw Simeon and Levi’s cruel and ruthless anger. Judah comes next. He is son number four after Reuben, Simeon, and Levi. What we read about in this chapter must beContinueContinue reading “Genesis 38 Commentary”

Genesis 37 Commentary The LORD God communicated to Joseph’s great-grandfather (Abraham) via dreams. Chapter 15. Joseph’s father, Jacob, received messages from the LORD God through dreams. (Of course, God spoke to Abraham in many other different ways) We can immediately tell the LORD God has communicated to young Joseph through dreams. But Joseph is youngContinueContinue reading “Genesis 37 Commentary”

Genesis 36 Commentary What are we doing discussing Esau’s line? An entire chapter is devoted to Esau’s line!Of course, no one should think of it as a loss.We know the background: Jacob is blessed ahead of Esau. But we know more. The LORD’S intention is to bless everyone. If Esau missed the blessing, you guessContinueContinue reading “Genesis 36 Commentary”

Genesis 35 Commentary Jacob’s early years are characterized by self-ambition. His later years are intense with God’s presence and interaction. So detailed is God’s involvement in Jacob’s life that the LORD God even directs him to relocate to Bethel. Jacob should connect to the God of Bethel – a place where the LORD God metContinueContinue reading “Genesis 35 Commentary”

Genesis 34b Commentary Jacob’s immediate concern was the safety of his own family. Simeon and Levi probably didn’t think about it. Therefore, it appears Jacob didn’t care too much about Simeon and Levi’s error except for the small matter of family safety. We are wrong. Jacob’s mouth would later describe Simeon and Levi’s actions asContinueContinue reading “Genesis 34b Commentary”

Genesis 34 Commentary Dinah is raped but she is not the focus of this chapter; neither is Shechem, the rapist.Jacob reacts in shock and resignation but he is not the main character. Indeed, Jacob’s story is winding down. We must move on to read about the nation that he births. The scripture observes the silence ofContinueContinue reading “Genesis 34 Commentary”

Genesis 33 Commentary Jacob meets Esau. Jacob has been big in terms of possessions and family. He left home empty but came back full. The point is that the blessing of the LORD works from point zero. An individual with zero capabilities (probably even with negative capabilities like Jacob) can be raised up by theContinueContinue reading “Genesis 33 Commentary”

Genesis 32b Commentary Jacob is all by himself. No wife. No children. No possessions. He must face God alone. A closet is a good place for prayer. A good closet is one without worldly possessions. Not because you don’t have them but because you deliberately isolate yourself from them! It is always a difficult placeContinueContinue reading “Genesis 32b Commentary”

Genesis 32 Commentary We have seen an increase in the number of angelic encounters. We also observe how these encounters come at specific points in Jacob’s life. The frequency increases with age, generally. It could be a lesson that a man is expected to understand more and consequently, see more of God in everything asContinueContinue reading “Genesis 32 Commentary”

Genesis 31 Commentary You always feel something is wrong with how things happen for Jacob. And why not? We have seen how the LORD God dealt with Abraham and Isaac! Of course, Jacob wasn’t alone in the Fear department. In one case, Abraham and Isaac faced the same fear and dealt with it poorly. ButContinueContinue reading “Genesis 31 Commentary”