Psalm 133

Patricia Kathleen Tull
A. B. Rhodes Professor of Old Testament

Romans 12:9-21; Psalm 133
Originally preached on April 21, 2006

Psalm 133 describes "kindred dwelling together" as good and pleasant--a surprising description given the large number of stories of sibling conflict in Scripture and the difficulty most people experience living with others in our own families, churches, and societies. The Psalm sets in sharp relief the story of Jacob's stealing of his father's only blessing from his brother Esau. What happened between Jacob and Esau in subsequent years offers important perspective on both the difficulty and the urgency of seeking the blessing of kinship. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF.

What’s Your Dream?

Dr. Frances S. Adeney
William A. Benfield, Jr. Professor of Evangelism and Global Mission

April 20, 2007
Genesis 31:55-32:12

This sermon tells the story of Jacob’s struggles as he returns from his father-in-law Laban’s home, where he had sojourned for twenty years, to the land of his birth. The story shows how God fulfills the dream he gave to Jacob many years before. The idea presented is that although we often put aside the dream God gives us, God renews it in our lives and it is always much bigger than we’d imagined. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in pdf.

A Death in Egypt

Christopher L. Elwood
Professor of Historical Theology

Genesis 49:29-50:14
February 9, 2007

What would we do if we were in Joseph’s position? This narrative of Jacob’s death and burial (the only passage in scripture that gives us a close account of a funeral) encourages us to wrestle with questions of cultural difference and faithfulness. Listen to the sermon.