God commands Jacob to journey back to Bethel, where He had appeared to Jacob as he was fleeing to Laban’s house. In response, Jacob rids his family of their powerless idols. The LORD is powerful in protecting Jacob as he sojourns among the Canaanites, and He renews His blessing and renaming of Jacob as Israel. Sadness strikes Jacob’s family at the death of his beloved wife Rachel during childbirth, but the name given to her son points to the hope that Jacob’s family and all people have in the Son who sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

Rev. Jeff Hemmer, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Fairview Heights, IL and Signal Hill Lutheran Church in Belleville, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Genesis 35:1-21.

To learn more about Bethany Lutheran, visit bethanylcms.org.

“In the Beginning” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies Genesis. The first book of Moses sets the stage for God’s entire story of salvation. As we learn the beginning of the story, God prepares us to receive the fulfillment of the story: Jesus Christ, the Offspring of the woman who has crushed our enemy’s head.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org