June 17, 2009

Readings:
Genesis 34-36
Matthew 13

Genesis:
If you've read the book "The Red Tent", you might be familiar with this passage too. The book is written from the perspective of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob at the center of the story of the circumcision and then murder of the inhabitants of the City of Shechem. The Genesis account is certainly not written from her perspective.

Why do you think the author of Genesis kept this story in the narrative? It doesn't reflect so well on Jacob and his sons. Is it, perhaps, in the text to remind us that God works even through people we would not invite to dinner?

Matthew 13
The parable of the sower is presented here. And explained.
Do you like Jesus' parables more or less when he explains them?