By the Well

Brian Kolia joins the podcast to discuss Jacob’s wrestle with God in Genesis 32:22-31. We point to the humour in this story where God takes on some human characteristics and becomes the trickster, a role that has previously been Jacob’s. Relationship with God is associated with both struggle and blessing here, as well as a new identity. Themes of seeing, darkness, and the hope that comes with daybreak also emerge. We note Psalm 17:1-7, 15 picks up many of these themes.

The feeding of the 5000 (Matthew 14:13-21) parallels the deathly feast of Herod that precedes it, highlighting the difference between the values of God’s kingdom and Herod’s. We point to the egalitarian elements of Matthew’s feast and that in God’s kingdom not only is everyone “satisfied” but there is abundance and enough left for others.

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We continue with the Jacob story in Genesis 29:15-28 where themes emerge about God choosing the unlikely person, that God’s plan does not depend on our righteousness, and that God “sees” those whom the world deems unloveable or unimportant. Romans 8:26-39 speaks to the impossibility of us being separated from God’s love and the parables in Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 offer a range of images to describe the Kingdom of Heaven.

We refer to Wil Gafney’s Womanist Midrash, Mark Brett’s Genesis and AJ Levine’s Short Stories by Jesus. Follow us on twitter @bythewellpod

The Genesis narrative continues as Jacob encounters God in his dream (Gen 28:10-19a). Key themes here include God’s unfailing faithfulness to his covenant and the unexpected places God encounters us – in vulnerability and in the ordinary. Theologically it is significant that God found Jacob, not the other way round. Romans 8:12-29 continues the focus on God’s persistent delight in being in relationship with us, such that, through Jesus, we receive the lavish gift of adoption. God’s love is both cosmic and intimate.  Matthew 13 challenges us to play with parables not as tidy, moralistic tales, but as windows into God, as deceptively simple pictures which reveal glimpses of God’s unique Kingdom.

We mention Beverley Roberts Gaventa’s When in Romans, Brendan Byrne’s Romans, and Garry Deverell’s Gondwana Theology. 

The Genesis reading takes us into the “Jacob Cycle” with the story of the twins, Jacob and Esau (Gen 25:19-34).  Themes of miraculous births, younger sons usurping older sons, and duelling nations continue. Theologically, these passages affirm that God chooses the frail, sinful, and broken to receive God’s promises and partner in God’s mission, a theme that continues in Romans 8:1-11. We also discuss the parable of the sower/seeds in Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 – a passage that speaks about the abundance and reckless generosity of God.

We refer to Terry Eagleton’s Reason, Faith, and Revolution, Beverley Gaventa’s When in Romans, Brendan Byrne’s Romans Commentary, Warren Carter’s Matthew Commentary, Ben Myers’ Ten Rules for Preaching Parables, and Bill Loader’s Lectionary page.

This week the lectionary offers a rare chance to preach on the love poetry known as Song of Songs (Song of Solomon). Hebrew Bible scholar, Brian Kolia, joins the podcast to unpack Genesis 24:34-38, 58-67, Song of Songs 2:8-13, and Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30. We compare Abraham’s quest to get a wife for his son with the erotic, body positive, love poetry of Song of Songs. Themes of place, ethnicity, and love permeate these Old Testament readings, while Matthew’s gospel compares the yoke of Christ with that of the world. We refer to this article by Elaine James.

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This week Robyn and Fran focus on Genesis 22:1-14 – the sacrifice or binding of Isaac. Is this an appalling story of an appalling God? Or a call to obedience in God at all costs? Or a rejection of child sacrifice? We talk about the text being silent on the characters’ psychological dynamics, because of its theological focus. We also discuss Matthew 10:40-42 and note the costly requirement of following Jesus being not simply to offer hospitality, but be willing to be guest – to give up power and control in a genuine posture of missional engagement. We note the nuances in the meaning of ‘welcome’ as it appears in Matthew 10.40.

We refer to Mark Brett’s Genesis and Ellen Davis’ Getting Involved With God.