OpenTheo

The Family of Abraham: Part 20—Mandrakes and Poplar Rods

Alastair Roberts

The Family of Abraham: Part 20—Mandrakes and Poplar Rods

April 4, 2019
Alastair Roberts
Alastair Roberts

Today, I discuss a couple of the strangest episodes in the story of Genesis: Rachel's request for some of Leah's mandrakes and Jacob's taking of Laban's flocks using—among other things—poplar rods.

Within this episode, I mention this video by Rabbi David Fohrman on Rachel's reward: https://www.alephbeta.org/playlist/how-do-we-mourn-on-tisha-bav. I also recommend this article by Scott Noegel: http://faculty.washington.edu/snoegel/PDFs/articles/Noegel%2020%20-%20JANES%201997.pdf.

My blog for my podcasts and videos is found here: https://adversariapodcast.com/. You can see transcripts of my videos here: https://adversariapodcast.com/list-of-videos-and-podcasts/.

If you have any questions, you can leave them on my Curious Cat account: https://curiouscat.me/zugzwanged.

If you have enjoyed these talks, please tell your friends and consider supporting me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/zugzwanged. You can also support me using my PayPal account: https://bit.ly/2RLaUcB.

The audio of all of my videos is available on my Soundcloud account: https://soundcloud.com/alastairadversaria. You can also listen to the audio of these episodes on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/alastairs-adversaria/id1416351035?mt=2.

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditCopy Link

Transcript

More on OpenTheo

Licona and Martin: A Dialogue on Jesus' Claim of Divinity
Licona and Martin: A Dialogue on Jesus' Claim of Divinity
Risen Jesus
May 14, 2025
In this episode, Dr. Mike Licona and Dr. Dale Martin discuss their differing views of Jesus’ claim of divinity. Licona proposes that “it is more proba
The Idea That I Won’t Be Married to My Wife in Heaven Makes My Heart Hurt
The Idea That I Won’t Be Married to My Wife in Heaven Makes My Heart Hurt
#STRask
February 20, 2025
Questions about what the absence of marriage in Heaven will mean for you and your spouse, thoughts regarding two Christians signing a prenup, whether
Is God Just a Way of Solving a Mystery by Appealing to a Greater Mystery?
Is God Just a Way of Solving a Mystery by Appealing to a Greater Mystery?
#STRask
March 17, 2025
Questions about whether God is just a way of solving a mystery by appealing to a greater mystery, whether subjective experience falls under a category
Sean McDowell: The Fate of the Apostles
Sean McDowell: The Fate of the Apostles
Knight & Rose Show
May 10, 2025
Wintery Knight and Desert Rose welcome Dr. Sean McDowell to discuss the fate of the twelve Apostles, as well as Paul and James the brother of Jesus. M
Why Does It Seem Like God Hates Some and Favors Others?
Why Does It Seem Like God Hates Some and Favors Others?
#STRask
April 28, 2025
Questions about whether the fact that some people go through intense difficulties and suffering indicates that God hates some and favors others, and w
Mythos or Logos: How Should the Narratives about Jesus' Resurreciton Be Understood? Licona/Craig vs Spangenberg/Wolmarans
Mythos or Logos: How Should the Narratives about Jesus' Resurreciton Be Understood? Licona/Craig vs Spangenberg/Wolmarans
Risen Jesus
April 16, 2025
Dr. Mike Licona and Dr. Willian Lane Craig contend that the texts about Jesus’ resurrection were written to teach a physical, historical resurrection
What Would You Say to Someone Who Believes in “Healing Frequencies”?
What Would You Say to Someone Who Believes in “Healing Frequencies”?
#STRask
May 8, 2025
Questions about what to say to someone who believes in “healing frequencies” in fabrics and music, whether Christians should use Oriental medicine tha
How Should I Respond to the Phrase “Just Follow the Science”?
How Should I Respond to the Phrase “Just Follow the Science”?
#STRask
March 31, 2025
Questions about how to respond when someone says, “Just follow the science,” and whether or not it’s a good tactic to cite evolutionists’ lack of a go
Should We Not Say Anything Against Voodoo?
Should We Not Say Anything Against Voodoo?
#STRask
March 27, 2025
Questions about how to respond to someone who thinks we shouldn’t say anything against Voodoo since it’s “just their culture” and arguments to refute
Jesus' Fate: Resurrection or Rescue? Michael Licona vs Ali Ataie
Jesus' Fate: Resurrection or Rescue? Michael Licona vs Ali Ataie
Risen Jesus
April 9, 2025
Muslim professor Dr. Ali Ataie, a scholar of biblical hermeneutics, asserts that before the formation of the biblical canon, Christians did not believ
Nicene Orthodoxy with Blair Smith
Nicene Orthodoxy with Blair Smith
Life and Books and Everything
April 28, 2025
Kevin welcomes his good friend—neighbor, church colleague, and seminary colleague (soon to be boss!)—Blair Smith to the podcast. As a systematic theol
The Biblical View of Abortion with Tom Pennington
The Biblical View of Abortion with Tom Pennington
Life and Books and Everything
May 5, 2025
What does the Bible say about life in the womb? When does life begin? What about personhood? What has the church taught about abortion over the centur
Can Someone Impart Spiritual Gifts to Others?
Can Someone Impart Spiritual Gifts to Others?
#STRask
April 7, 2025
Questions about whether or not someone can impart the gifts of healing, prophecy, words of knowledge, etc. to others and whether being an apostle nece
The Concept of God’s Omniscience Is Just a Fear Tactic to Control Your Mind
The Concept of God’s Omniscience Is Just a Fear Tactic to Control Your Mind
#STRask
February 27, 2025
Questions about whether the concept of God’s omniscience is just a fear tactic to control your mind and what to say to someone who thinks it’s possibl
Were Jesus’ Commands in the Gospels for the Jews Only or for the Present-Day Body of Christ?
Were Jesus’ Commands in the Gospels for the Jews Only or for the Present-Day Body of Christ?
#STRask
March 3, 2025
Questions about whether Jesus’ commands in the Gospels were for the Jews only or for the present-day body of Christ, whether God chose to be illiterat