A138 - Pentecost 9 (Gen 32, Ps 17, Matt 14)

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. Follow us on twitter @bythewellpod.