Rachel must have been amazing, a true soulmate for Jacob. How else can you explain fourteen years of service for the right to marry her? The story says nothing about any anger or bitterness on the part of Jacob for having been deceived by his uncle. Simply, “Jacob did so.” What makes your years of … Read more

The details of Jacob and Esau’s marriages are all about family heritage and bloodline. I don’t think they neatly apply in the band room. And not too many band directors find themselves on the receiving end of ‘dream-promises.’ However, lots of people make ‘deals’ with God! Sometimes in the middle of a crisis, most often … Read more

Isaac was old and pretty much blind. And his own wife helped their son Jacob deceive him. I do not doubt that ultimately it was God’s intent that Jacob received Isaac’s blessing and eventually became the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. I also do not doubt that the Old Testament is full of … Read more

This story might seem familiar. Back in chapter 12, when Abraham was sent by God, he pretended his wife was his sister. Isaac did the same thing when he was sent by God! In both cases, the men were protected by the king of the new land, but only after each ruse was uncovered. The … Read more

Jacob took advantage of Esau’s hunger to get for himself Esau’s birthright. It wasn’t really Esau’s hunger that did him in though. Esau was famished, but he wasn’t starving. There had to have been other food available for preparation. I think Esau was over-dramatic. This is my opinion, mind you. Ugh! I’m starving! I’m gonna … Read more

It was quite bold for Abraham’s servant to pray the way he did. It was like asking God to help him pick the correct lottery numbers. What if none of the women had offered him a drink? Then what? Go home? Press on, less confidently, with a weaker request? Clearly God had the lottery numbers … Read more

If you have purchased my book Band Room Gospel, please consider writing a view on Amazon. If I get fifty or more reviews, my spot in the amazon universe improves!

An entire chapter devoted to the purchase of a burial plot! Why so much detail? Why is it in there at all? It speaks to the honoring of Sarah, Abraham’s wife. The negotiations Abraham engaged in speak to his desire to respectfully complete Sarah’s final ritual. Even though he was initially offered land for free, … Read more

I often say out loud, to nobody in particular, that band directors are masters of classroom-based assessment, that we are constantly ‘testing’ our musicians, evaluating and offering feedback. It is usually in the context of a faculty development day, during which we are being ‘taught’ that evaluation and feedback are important for our students’ success. … Read more

There are three vignettes in this chapter. I’ve chosen a line from the second one about Hagar and Ishmael. In verses 17-21 we read how God responded to Hagar’s cry and “the boy’s” voice. God speaking: “What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he … Read more