Archive for month: January, 2017

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2017, February 5 ~ Isaiah 58:1-12 & 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

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Isaiah 58:1-12

The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from three distinct periods in Israel’s history. Chapters 1-39 are called “First Isaiah” and were written by “Isaiah of Jerusalem” in the 20 years before Jerusalem was under direct siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE. “Second Isaiah” is Chapters 40 to 55 and brings hope to the Judeans during the time of the Exile in Babylon (587 to 539 BCE) by telling them they have suffered enough and will return to Jerusalem. “Third Isaiah” is Chapters 56 to 66 and gives encouragement to the Judeans who returned to Jerusalem after the Exile.

In today’s reading from Third Isaiah, the prophet is told by God to reveal to the people who returned to Jerusalem that their way of living is immoral, and that prayer and sacrifices without serious moral reformation do not please Yahweh (vv. 1-5). Instead, the LORD wants justice, freedom for the oppressed, sharing of food, bringing the homeless into one’s home, and sharing one’s goods and clothing (vv. 6-8). When these things are done, Yahweh will guide the people and the ruins of Jerusalem will be rebuilt (vv. 9-12).

1 Corinthians 2:1-16

Corinth, a large port city in Greece, was among the early Jesus Follower communities that Paul founded. Its culture was Hellenistic and emphasized reason and secular wisdom. In addition to Paul, other Jesus Followers also taught in Corinth, sometimes in ways inconsistent with Paul’s understandings of what it means to be a Jesus Follower. This led to contentions among the Corinthians.

Today’s reading is the entirety of Chapter 2. In it, Paul continues his opposition to worldly wisdom and asserts that the Corinthians became believers because of the power of the Spirit and God, not because of lofty words. Paul says he can speak of God’s wisdom among those spiritually mature because the Spirit enables them to understand the gifts bestowed by God. Those who are “unspiritual” (or natural) regard the gifts of God’s Spirit as foolishness, but those who are spiritual have the mind of Christ. In Chapter 3, Paul will describe the Corinthians as spiritual infants because of their quarreling.

2017, January 29 ~ Micah 6:1-8 & 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

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Micah 6:1-8

Micah was one of the 12 “Minor” Prophets – so called because their collective works fill only a single scroll. He prophesied from about 725 to 690 BCE, and was a younger contemporary of “First Isaiah” (Isaiah of Jerusalem). He criticized empty rituals and injustice in Jerusalem during the years when Assyria conquered Northern Israel (722) and threatened Jerusalem (701), and when the Babylonians overcame Jerusalem (597 to 587 BCE).

Today’s reading sets out the “reasons” for this sorry state of affairs. It starts with a divine lawsuit/complaint by YHWH against Israel in which YHWH/the LORD recounts all God has done for Israel (vv. 1-5). A spokesperson for the community then asks what offerings can be made to please YHWH (vv.6-7) and even asks if child sacrifices would atone for the transgressions (v.7b)!

Micah tells the people that offerings are not sufficient. The last words of verse 8 in today’s reading are the epitome of the entire Israelite prophetic tradition – the people (and all of us) are called to do justice, love kindness/goodness, and walk humbly/wisely with God.

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Corinth, a large port city in Greece, was among the early Jesus Follower communities that Paul founded. Its culture was Hellenistic and emphasized reason and secular wisdom. In addition to Paul, other Jesus Followers also taught in Corinth, sometimes in ways inconsistent with Paul’s understandings of what it means to be a Jesus Follower. This led to contentions among the Corinthians.

In today’s reading, Paul criticized the “wisdom of the world” and asserted that “God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom” (v.25). He explained that the “wisdom of the world” involves power and noble birth. God’s “foolishness,” on the other hand, is shown by love, by selflessness (as shown in the cross) and by humility. God’s “foolishness” will lead to righteousness (everything in right relation with everything else), sanctification (making everything holy) and redemption (making everything whole) (v.30).

2017, January 22 ~ Isaiah 9:1-4 & 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

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Isaiah 9:1-4

The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from three distinct periods in Israel’s history. Chapters 1-39 are called “First Isaiah” and were written in the 20 years before Jerusalem was under direct siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE. “Second Isaiah” is Chapters 40 to 55 and brings hope to the Judeans during the time of the Exile in Babylon (587 to 539 BCE) by telling them they have suffered enough and will return to Jerusalem. “Third Isaiah” is Chapters 56 to 66 and gives encouragement to the Judeans who returned to Jerusalem after the Exile.

Today’s reading is part of a seven-verse “insert” that doesn’t fit well with the chapters and verses before and after it. These verses describe a new king (likely Hezekiah who overcame the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem in 701 BCE) who will restore lands of two of the Tribes of Israel (Naphtali and Zebulun) taken by the Assyrians in 733. In verse 4, the author recalls the victory of Gideon and 300 men with trumpets over the Midianites (Judges 7:15-25), and says the king will remove the yoke of military oppression imposed on Israel.

1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Corinth, a large port city in Greece, was among the early Jesus Follower communities that Paul founded. Its culture was Hellenistic and emphasized reason and secular wisdom. In addition to Paul, other Jesus Followers also taught in Corinth, sometimes in ways inconsistent with Paul’s understandings of what it means to be a Jesus Follower.

Today’s reading from the opening chapter of the letter follows last week’s reading. In it, Paul calls for unity among the Corinthian Jesus Followers. He emphasizes that loyalty to a single teacher or to one’s baptizer is not proper, and notes that Christ is not divisible. Paul identifies “eloquent wisdom” (v.17) as the cause of the divisions and a threat to the power of the cross of Christ.

2017, January 15 ~ Isaiah 49:1-7 & 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

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Isaiah 49:1-7

The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from three distinct periods in Israel’s history. Chapters 1-39 are called “First Isaiah” and were written in the 20 years before Jerusalem was under direct siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE. “Second Isaiah” is Chapters 40 to 55 and brings hope to the Judeans during the time of the Exile in Babylon (587 to 539 BCE) by telling them they have suffered enough and will return to Jerusalem. “Third Isaiah” is Chapters 56 to 66 and gives encouragement to the Judeans who returned to Jerusalem after the Exile.

Today’s reading is from “Second Isaiah” and repeats many themes from last week’s reading (42:1-9). The prophet speaks for YHWH (“LORD” – all capitals – in the NRSV) and refers to Israel as the LORD’s servant (v. 3). Today’s reading is sometimes called the second of the “Servant Songs” that are in Isaiah from Chapters 42 to 53. It says Israel will be restored and reunified and will be a “light to the nations [pagans, foreigners, Gentiles]” (42.6 and 49.6). The reading concludes with statements that YHWH is faithful and chose Israel for a special role.

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Corinth, a large port city in Greece, was among the early Jesus Follower communities that Paul founded. Its culture was Hellenistic and emphasized reason and secular wisdom. In addition to Paul, other Jesus Followers also taught in Corinth, sometimes in ways inconsistent with Paul’s understandings of what it means to be a Jesus Follower. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians was written in the 50’s (CE) and presents his views on several issues.

Today’s reading from the opening chapter is a salutation customary in ancient Greek letters (vv. 1-3) followed by a thanksgiving for the grace of God given to the Jesus Followers in Corinth through Christ Jesus (vv.4-7). He reminds them that they were called into “the fellowship of the Son” (v.9).

Having praised the Corinthians and reminded them of the gifts from God, in the verses that follow today’s reading, Paul launches into his arguments and appeals that “there be no divisions among you” (v.10).