Note: Josh will be on vacation for the first 2 Sundays in August, so the GPS will resume publication the week of 15 August. Scripture Genesis 32:22-31. Read it in the NRSV or CEB translations. I’d also encourage you to read this week about what happens while Jacob, Rachel, and Leah are living with Laban…

Scripture Genesis 29:15-28. Read it in the NRSV or CEB translations. Background Jacob’s flight from Canaan to Haran, a tribal land north of Palestine, is successful. Jacob tells his uncle Laban everything, and Laban honors Jacob not only by hosting him, but lets Jacob set his own salary. Jacob agrees to work without pay if…

Scripture Genesis 28:10-19. Read it in the NRSV or CEB translations. Background Jacob is on the run! The manipulation, favoritism, feuding, and deception which have characterized the family of Isaac has reached its logical endpoint: murderous anger. Esau, having already lost his birthright, now missses out on the firstborn’s blessing, and is enraged to the…