Embracing Death Jacob is a man who has spent much of his life, on the run, fearing for his life, running for his life, to preserve it. First he ran for his life from Esau, then he ran for his life from Laban, then he wrestled with God for his life, then he feared his […]
Riches
His Dying Breath Has Brought Us Life: Commentary on Genesis 49v1-27
In this chapter we see a great deal of length and detail given to Jacob’s blessing of his sons. We must understand that there are great thematic elements of a father’s blessing to his sons on display here that are a theme throughout Scripture, and carried on into the gospel itself. There are many […]
A Substitute for the Guilty: Commentary on Genesis 44
There are three elements to the narrative that will guide our thought concerning this passage here: Joseph’s Test, The Brother’s Guilt, and Judah’s Plea. Joseph’s Test Verse 1: The passage begins with Joseph filling the brother’s sacks full and putting their money back in their sacks. In other words he continues to pile on the gifts […]
There Again: Feasting in Famine – Commentary on Genesis 43
In Genesis 43 there are three overarching themes that will guide our consideration of this passage: the famine grows in severity, the brothers grow in honesty, and Joseph grows in mercy. The Famine Grows in Severity In the last chapter we noted how God uses means to accomplish his purposes; and sometimes those means are […]
From Drug Addiction to Pastoral Ministry
We don’t typically post testimonies on Rags for Riches. However, an exception had to be made. Recently our dear brother and friend to Rags for Riches wrote out a bit of his testimony. It was particularly moving to me, being that I had no idea about his past. Though every Christian has a “rags to […]