Podcast Summary: followHIM — Genesis 24–33, Part 1 • Bro. Mike Harris • Feb. 25, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway welcome guest Mike Harris, Old Testament scholar and beloved religious educator, to discuss Genesis 24–33. The main theme centers on the “messiness of families” and the profound symbolism in the stories of Isaac, Rebekah, and the patriarchal family. The episode explores how covenant relationships, agency, and God’s blessings are portrayed in these foundational scripture narratives, offering insights for modern listeners struggling with faith, family, and their standing in God’s promises.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Messy Families & Real Struggles

• Theme Introduction (02:28–03:24):
  • Mike Harris points out that Genesis “dives into the messiness of families—of heartache, shattered dreams, betrayal” mirroring the complexities in families today.
  • He notes, “Home can be heaven on earth. But let's be honest, sometimes it can be hell on earth.” (03:00)

2. Rethinking “Blessings” in Scripture

• Genesis 24:1 — Are Blessings What We Expect? (08:51–17:38):
  • The text says Abraham was “blessed in all things,” but Harris highlights Abraham’s apparent “non-blessings”: old age, bereavement, unfulfilled promises regarding land and posterity.
  • “You've received a patriarchal blessing… and it's not happening. Abraham understands.” (14:08)
  • Connection to the Book of Mormon: “I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents…[yet] many afflictions…having been highly favored of the Lord. Like, wait, what? In one verse teaches the exact same thing. That apparently the Lord sees blessings as opportunities to grow.” (17:17–17:38)

3. The Covenant, the Land, and Agency

• Sending for Isaac’s Wife (18:00–24:41):
  • Abraham insists Isaac not leave Canaan even to find a bride, prioritizing “staying in the covenant land.”
  • “The land and the covenant are the same — synonymous.” (24:39)
  • Agency emphasized: The woman (Rebekah) must freely choose to join the covenant. “The agency of the woman is completely being honored when it comes to making covenants…you see that being highlighted here in the text.” (21:55)

4. Rituals and Seriousness of Covenants

• Making the Oath (28:09–29:09):
  • The ancient practice of “putting a hand under the thigh” is about affirming covenant seriousness, associating lineage and potential penalties for oath-breaking.
  • Memorable moment: “To get his point across, the pig said to the hen, tomorrow when the farmer comes for breakfast, you’re only involved, I’m committed. You’re giving eggs, but I’m bacon.” (29:17)

5. Symbolism: Camels, Goods, and the Well

• The Journey & Tokens (29:10–37:21):
  • The goods and camels are both practical (dowry, supplies) and symbolic (tokens of covenant blessings).
  • “These [goods] aren’t just…for that purpose. It’s also proof that they are in a covenant relationship with God in Canaan. Like, look what we have. I’m bringing a portion of this. It’s like a sample of what life is like back home.” (33:16)
  • The camels “kneeling” (barak) puns with “bless” in Hebrew — signaling divine blessing about to unfold.
  • Wells as a “type scene” in scripture often mark covenantal encounters, paralleling Jesus and the Samaritan woman (John 4) and others. “All of these encounters at the well have five plot elements… intentional symbolism going on.” (35:28)

6. Chesed and Covenant Loyalty

• Hesed as Key to God’s Blessing (39:24–42:20):
  • Harris explains the Hebrew term “hesed” as “covenant loyalty,” a two-way, enduring faithfulness between God and His people, even when Israel fails.
    • “Even if we’re cheating on him, he doesn’t cheat on us. The covenant stays intact.” (39:43)
    • John: “It’s not a contract — it’s a covenant relationship.”

7. The Choice and Power of Covenants

• Rebekah’s Decision (43:12–44:49):
  • Rebekah’s statement “I will go” (24:58) echoes faithful agency. She becomes a scriptural type for Israel, paralleling Nephi’s famous “I will go and do.”
  • “As soon as you utter the words in a temple. Not words, that single word, yes. You are inviting the Lord to transform your life.” (44:24)

8. Reading Symbolically: The Wedding as Jehovah & Israel

• Isaac and Rebekah as Type of Christ and the Church (47:10–71:34):
  • Harris advocates reading the story not only historically but symbolically: “Isaac, think Jesus; Rebekah, think covenant Israel.”
    • “Covenant Israel rode upon [covenant] blessings, followed the prophet, left home to meet the Lord.” (53:25–54:32)
  • Lifting up the eyes, in Hebrew idiom, signals revelatory experience; appearing repeatedly in LDS scripture.
    • “This phrase, to lift up your eyes or to cast your eyes, significantly points to a revelatory experience. And I think that’s exactly what’s going on here in Genesis 24.” (61:49)
  • Rebekah “lighted off” (fell from) the camel, a symbolic act of falling before Christ at His coming: “When we see Jesus again, we are going to leap for joy. We’re just going to be a puddle of grateful, joyful tears as we fall to the ground. We can’t even imagine it. But this text is beautifully trying to convey that imagery.” (66:34)

9. The Temple and the Tent

• Covenants Come Full Circle (67:31–71:34):
  • Isaac brings Rebekah into Sarah’s tent — a figure for the temple, God’s presence.
  • “Sarah’s tent isn’t just some canvas structure…in the Hebrew Bible, tent repeatedly refers to the temple or the tabernacle of Moses… God wants the entire earth to be a temple.” (68:36)
  • The final love and comfort between Isaac and Rebekah (and between Christ and Israel) is mutual and surpassing.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Family Messiness:
  “Home can be heaven on earth. But let’s be honest, sometimes it can be hell on earth.” — Bro. Mike Harris (03:00)

• On Blessings and Broken Expectations:
  “You’ve received a patriarchal blessing… and it’s not happening. Abraham understands.” — Mike Harris (14:08)

• On Covenant Agency:
  “The agency of the woman is completely being honored when it comes to making covenants.” — Mike Harris (21:55)

• On Symbolism in Scripture:
  “If we run a fact checker through everything in the Bible, sometimes we’re going to lose our faith…but if we…start looking for symbolism…it will make all the difference.” — Mike Harris (47:12)

• On Chesed:
  “Even if we’re cheating on him, he doesn’t cheat on us. The covenant stays intact.” — Mike Harris (39:43)

• On Rebekah’s Simple Faith:
  “Life-changing moment. It is done with a simple and a sincere yes.” — Mike Harris (44:24)

• Rebekah as a Model of Agency:
  “Will thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.” — Genesis 24:58 (44:24)

• On Symbolic Reading:
  “Isaac, think Jesus; Rebekah, think covenant Israel.” — Mike Harris (47:45)

• On Falling Before Christ:
  “When we see Jesus, what are we gonna do? We’re gonna fall to the ground.” — Mike Harris (65:20)

• On the Temple and God’s Presence:
  “God wants the entire earth to be a temple… He wants us to dwell here on the earth with Him. Ultimately, that’s the destiny of the earth.” — Mike Harris (68:36)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Topic/Segment | |-------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:28-03:24 | Introduction to family messiness in Genesis | | 08:51-17:38 | Rethinking “blessed in all things”; Abraham’s afflictions | | 18:00-24:41 | Covenant, land, oath, and honoring agency in marriage | | 29:10-37:21 | Goods, camels, the well—symbolism of covenant blessings | | 39:24-42:20 | Chesed (Covenant loyalty) as a key theme | | 43:12-44:49 | Rebekah’s “I will go” & significance of agency | | 47:10-53:25 | Symbolic reading: Isaac/Rebekah as Christ/Israel | | 61:49-66:34 | “Lifting up the eyes,” revelation, and Rebekah “falling” | | 67:31-71:34 | The tent as the temple; culmination of covenantal symbolism |

Flow & Tone

The conversation is scholarly yet personal, weaving academic insights (Hebrew language, covenant theology, literary symbolism) with heartfelt faith and practical application. Bro. Harris is approachable and uses self-deprecating humor, while Hank and John provide warmth and connect ancient principles to LDS life. The episode leaves listeners with new interpretive tools and hope in approaching scripture, family, and covenant challenges.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode is perfect for:

• Students and teachers seeking deeper, faith-affirming readings of Genesis.
• Anyone wrestling with doubts about family, faith, or perceived lack of blessings.
• Listeners eager to see beyond historical literalism to living, covenant symbolism in scripture.

By the end, you’ll gain a richer appreciation for Genesis’s messy family stories, learn how agency and loyalty are embedded in God’s dealings, and discover the enduring invitation to let God prevail in your own covenant path.