Jul 29, 2014
In this episode, the Mormon Matters "Genesis Team"--David Bokovoy, Tom Roberts, and Brian Hauglid--join host Dan Wotherspoon for a discussion of Genesis 24-33, which focus on the God-ordained meeting and marriage of Isaac and Rebekah, and the tales of their twin sons, Esau and Jacob--many of which focus on trickery and deception in order to fulfill Yahweh’s plans to continue the purity of the bloodline and the pass along the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant. It also looks long and hard at Jacob and his journey from somewhat of a "Mama’s boy" to full-fledged prophet-hero--to a great extent aided by his mighty wrestle with Yahweh himself. The episode contains important insights into the text and its sources, various laws, customs, and folk magic that help explain some very strange actions--How does one create a lot of spotted, speckled, and ringstraked livestock? By putting similar things in front of them while they mate!--and the troubling presence of parental favoritism that plagues the families of many biblical prophets. It also gives the panel and host chances to reflect on powerful moments of forgiveness and the spiritual growth of many characters, growth that is, in many of our lives, aided by great physical and mental striving.