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2019, January 6 ~ Isaiah 60:1-6 and Ephesians 3:1-12

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Isaiah 60:1-6

The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from three distinct periods in Ancient Israel’s history. The writings were compiled from about 700 BCE to about 300 BCE.

Chapters 1-39 are called “First Isaiah” and are the words of a prophet (one who speaks for YHWH) who called for Jerusalem to repent in the 20 years before Jerusalem came under siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE. “Second Isaiah” is Chapters 40 to 55. In these chapters, a prophet brought hope to the Judeans during the Exile in Babylon (587 to 539 BCE) by telling them they had suffered enough and would return to Jerusalem. “Third Isaiah” is Chapters 56 to 66. For the most part, a prophet gave encouragement to Judeans who returned to Jerusalem (which was largely destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BCE) after the Exile.

Today’s reading is from “Third Isaiah” and speaks of a time of restoration and glory for Zion/Jerusalem, and (by extension) all of Israel. The “peoples” (v.2) and the “nations” (v.3) are non-Jews (“goyim” in Hebrew) who will be in darkness (v.2). YHWH (translated as LORD in all capital letters) will give glory to Zion, and “foreigners/nations” will come to the light of Zion. Isaiah does not say that a Messiah will cause this transformation of Zion; YHWH will bring it about. The wealth of the “nations” shall come to Zion, including camels from Midian (in the Sinai) and Sheba (either Arabia or Ethiopia, scholars are not sure).

The author of the Gospel According to Matthew used the motif of foreigners bringing gifts of gold and frankincense (60:6) as a basis for the Gifts of the Magi (Matt. 2:11).

Ephesians 3:1-12

Ephesus was a large and prosperous city in what is now western Turkey. In the Acts of the Apostles and 1 Corinthians, Paul is said to have visited there. In Ephesus, there were Jesus Followers who were Jews and Jesus Followers who were Gentiles, and they didn’t always agree on what it meant to be a Jesus Follower.

Because the letter contains a number of terms not used in Paul’s other letters and gives new meanings to some of Paul’s characteristic terms, most scholars believe that this letter was written by one of Paul’s disciples late in the First Century. The letter was intended to unify the Jesus Follower community in Ephesus. The first three chapters are theological teachings and the last three chapters consist of ethical exhortations.

In today’s reading, the author (speaking as Paul) describes himself as a prisoner of (or for) Christ Jesus, and says the “mystery” (v.3) was made known to him by revelation. He hopes to convey to the Gentiles this “mystery of Christ” (v.4). This mystery is described in 1:9 as God’s plan for the fullness of time in which all things will be gathered up into the Christ, including the uniting of Gentiles and Jews as Jesus Followers. This “plan” is the “eternal purpose that he [God] has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord” (v.11).

2018, December 30 ~ Isaiah 61:10 – 62:3 and Galatians 3:23-25, 4:4-7

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Isaiah 61:10 – 62:3

The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from three distinct periods in Ancient Israel’s history. The writings were compiled from about 700 BCE to about 300 BCE.

Chapters 1-39 are called “First Isaiah” and are the words of a prophet (one who speaks for YHWH) who called for Jerusalem to repent in the 20 years before Jerusalem came under siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE.  “Second Isaiah” is Chapters 40 to 55. In these chapters, a prophet brought hope to the Judeans during the Exile in Babylon (587 to 539 BCE) by telling them they had suffered enough and would return to Jerusalem. “Third Isaiah” is Chapters 56 to 66. For the most part, a prophet gave encouragement to Judeans who returned to Jerusalem (which was largely destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BCE) after the Exile.

Today’s reading is from “Third Isaiah” and is a series of joyful verses.  The first two verses(from “I will greatly rejoice” to “spring up before all the nations” are spoken by Zion/Jerusalem. As is often characteristic of psalm-like verses in the Hebrew Bible (as was also true of ancient Canaanite poetry), the verses are repetitive – the idea in one phrase is repeated in slightly different words in the next. For example, “I will greatly rejoice” is followed by “my whole being will exult.” Similarly, Zion is clothed with “garments of salvation” and the“robe of righteousness.”

In the verses beginning “For Zion’s sake,” the speaker shifts from Zion to the prophet, but the use of repetitive ideas continues: “I will not keep silent” is followed by “I will not rest.”  You [Zion] shall wear “a crown of beauty” and“a royal diadem.”

Being “called by a new name” meant that when Zion/Jerusalem is restored, it will have a change of fortune and a new identity given by YHWH.

Galatians 3:23-25 and 4:4-7

Galatia was a large Roman province in what is now western Turkey.  This letter was likely written by Paul in the late 40’s or early 50’s (CE), and deals in part with controversies between Jewish Jesus Followers and Gentile Jesus Followers regarding the continuing importance of Torah (Law) to Jesus Followers.  In particular, did Gentiles have to be circumcised and follow the Kosher dietary law to become Jesus Followers? If not,what was the role of Torah for both Jewish and Gentile Jesus Followers?

Galatians is a “transitional” letter in that – when compared to Paul’s last letter (Romans) — it shows his views on the relationship between the Torah and the Gentile Jesus Followers continued to evolve.

Today’s reading unfortunately omits verses at the end of Chapter 3 that would help the reader/hearer better understand Paul’s position on the relationship between the law (Torah) and the faithfulness of (not faith in) Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ. Paul stated that through the grace of the faithfulness of Jesus the Christ/the Anointed One, Jesus Followers are “no longer subject to a disciplinarian [the Law]” (vv. 24-25). He then declared (in the omitted verses)that “there is no longer Jew or Greek …for you are one in Christ Jesus … and Abraham’s offspring.” (vv. 28-29).

In the second part of today’s reading (beginning with “But in the fullness of time”), Paul emphasized that Jesus of Nazareth was a human and a Jew (“born of a woman under the law”) whose mission was to “redeem those under the law” (the Jews). The Greek word translated as “redeem” means to buyback, as in redeeming something one already owns from a pawn shop. All persons,because of the Spirit of the Son, are children of God who can call God “Abba”(Aramaic for father) and are heirs of the Kingdom. 

2018, December 25 (Christmas III) ~ Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-4

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READINGS FOR CHRISTMAS III

Isaiah 52:7-10

The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from three distinct periods in Ancient Israel’s history. The writings were compiled from about 700 BCE to about 300 BCE.

Chapters 1-39 are called “First Isaiah” and are the words of a prophet (one who speaks for YHWH) who called for Jerusalem to repent in the 20 years before Jerusalem came under siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE.  “Second Isaiah” is Chapters 40 to 55. In these chapters, a prophet brought hope to the Judeans during the Exile in Babylon (587 to 539 BCE) by telling them they had suffered enough and would return to Jerusalem. “Third Isaiah” is Chapters 56 to 66 and, for the most part, are the words of a prophet who gave encouragement to Judeans who returned to Jerusalem (which was largely destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BCE) after the Exile.

Today’s reading is from Second Isaiah tells the Exiles that the sentinels (prophets) can “see” the return of YHWH/LORD to Zion/Jerusalem, the restoration of the ruins of Jerusalem and that YHWH/LORD will bring salvation to his people. 

Hebrews 1:1-4

The Letter to the Hebrews is an anonymous sermon addressed to both Jewish and Gentile Jesus Followers who were suffering persecution. It urges them to maintain their Faith and Hope in the face of hardship. Although the Letter is sometimes attributed to Paul, most scholars agree that it was written after Paul’s death in 62 CE but likely before 100 CE. 

In today’s reading, the author identifies the Son with Holy Wisdom that was present at creation (Prov. 8:22) with the words ”through whom he also created the worlds.” (v. 2) The author also anticipates the language of the Gospel According to John – “all things came into being through him” (John 1:3). 

Because the theology of the Trinity was still evolving, the author stopped short of identifying the Son with the Father as God, and referred to the Son as “a reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being” (v.3) and as superior to angels (v.4).  

2018, December 25 (Christmas II) ~ Isaiah 62:6-12; Titus 3:4-7

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READINGS FOR CHRISTMAS II

Isaiah 62:6-12

The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from three distinct periods in Ancient Israel’s history. The writings were compiled from about 700 BCE to about 300 BCE.

Chapters 1-39 are called “First Isaiah” and are the words of a prophet (one who speaks for YHWH) who called for Jerusalem to repent in the 20 years before Jerusalem came under siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE.  “Second Isaiah” is Chapters 40 to 55. In these chapters, a prophet brought hope to the Judeans during the Exile in Babylon (587 to 539 BCE) by telling them they had suffered enough and would return to Jerusalem. “Third Isaiah” is Chapters 56 to 66 and, for the most part, are the words of a prophet who gave encouragement to Judeans who returned to Jerusalem (which was largely destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BCE) after the Exile.

Today’s reading is from “Third Isaiah” and follows a series of verses which acknowledged that Jerusalem was still recovering from the harsh effects of the Babylonian conquest in 587 BCE. The prophet, speaking on behalf of YHWH/LORD, told the Judeans that sentinels (prophets) would guard over them(v.6). He urged them not to allow YHWH to rest until YHWH established Jerusalem and made it renowned in the earth (v.7). He assured the Judeans that YHWH will be their protector against plunder (v.8) and they would be known as the Redeemed of YHWH (v.12)   

Titus 3:4-7

Although Titus is not mentioned in the extensive descriptions of Paul’s journeys in the last half of Acts of the Apostles, he is mentioned in two of Paul’s authentic epistles – Galatians and Corinthians.  Titus was Paul’s co-worker and envoy, and this letter is crafted as if it were a reminder to Titus to serve the large Jewish Jesus Follower Community in Crete. The letter was structured as one intended for an audience, and not just for one person.

The Letter to Titus is one of the so-called “Pastoral Letters” (the others are 1 and 2 Timothy) which contain advice to Paul’s co-workers and to the Jesus Follower communities as they were becoming more structured.  Most scholars conclude that the Pastoral Letters were written in Paul’s name by some of Paul’s disciples well after Paul’s death in Rome in 63 CE. 

In today’s reading, the author presented succinct creed-like statements about key understandings of the meaning of the life of Jesus of Nazareth and the continuing work of the Spirit. It is noteworthy that the author did not claim that Jesus Followers are saved by the Crucifixion, but rather by “the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (v.5). Jesus Followers are “justified” (put in a right relationship with God) by the “grace”of the Spirit “poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior”(v.6). 

2018, December 25 (Christmas I) ~ Isaiah 9:2-7; Titus 2:11-14

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T

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READINGS FOR CHRISTMAS I

Isaiah 9:2-7

Chapters 1-39 are called “First Isaiah” and are the words of a prophet (one who speaks for YHWH) who called for Jerusalem to repent in the 20 years before Jerusalem came under siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE.  “Second Isaiah” is Chapters 40 to 55. In these chapters, a prophet brought hope to the Judeans during the Exile in Babylon(587 to 539 BCE) by telling them they had suffered enough and would return to Jerusalem. “Third Isaiah” is Chapters 56 to 66 and, for the most part, are the words of a prophet who gave encouragement to Judeans who returned to Jerusalem(which was largely destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BCE) after the Exile.

The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from three distinct periods in Ancient Israel’s history. The writings were compiled from about 700 BCE to about 300 BCE.

In today’s reading from First Isaiah, the prophet celebrates the birth of a new king, most likely King Hezekiah of Judea, who was born c.741 BCE and reigned from c.715 to 686 BCE. He was a religious reformer, and was king when the Assyrians besieged Jerusalem unsuccessfully in 701 BCE. He is included in the genealogy of Jesus of Nazareth in the Gospel According to Matthew (Matt. 1:9-10)

Titus 2:11-14

Although Titus is not mentioned in the extensive descriptions of Paul’s journeys in the last half of Acts of the Apostles, he is mentioned in two of Paul’s authentic epistles – Galatians and Corinthians.  Titus was Paul’s co-worker and envoy, and this letter is crafted as if it were a reminder to Titus to serve the large Jewish Jesus Follower Community in Crete. The letter was structured as one intended for an audience, and not just for one person.

The Letter to Titus is one of the so-called “Pastoral Letters” (the others are 1 and 2 Timothy) which contain advice to Paul’s co-workers and to the Jesus Follower communities as they were becoming more structured.  Most scholars conclude that the Pastoral Letters were written in Paul’s name by some of Paul’s disciples well after Paul’s death in Rome in 63 CE. 

In today’s reading, the author presents succinct creed-like statements about key understandings of the meaning of the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth, and the continuing work of the Spirit. The “wait for the manifestation of the glory” in verse 13 is an example of the continued (and growing) expectation of a “Second Coming” when all the anticipated manifestations of the Coming of the Messiah (the Christ) would be fulfilled.

2018, December 23 ~ Micah 5:2-5a; Hebrews 10:5-10

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Micah 5:2-5a

Micah was among the earliest of the “Minor Prophets” – the 12 prophets whose works are much shorter than those of the “Major Prophets”(Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel) and are found in a single scroll.  Micah was a prophet to Judea after Northern Israel (Samaria) was conquered by the Assyrians in 722 BCE (an event to which Micah refers in 1:6). Most scholars therefore date Micah’s prophesies to the period from 720 to 700 BCE, a time when the Assyrians were threatening to conquer Judea.  

This short Book is divided into three sections: oracles of judgment and condemnation against Jerusalem and its leaders for their corruption and pretensions (Ch. 1-3); oracles of hope in which Jerusalem would be restored to righteousness [right relationship with YHWH] (Ch. 4-5); and a lawsuit by God, a judgment by God, and a lament that moved to hope (Ch. 6-7). 

In today’s reading from Chapter 5, Micah offered a Messianic poem and said that a new David would come from Bethlehem of Ephrathah. (Ephrathah was the name of a clan in Judea, and a region that included Bethlehem.) The new David would feed his flock and they would be secure in the peace that the new David would bring.

First Isaiah (Isaiah 1-39) was a contemporary of Micah. He also spoke of an ideal king coming from the House of David (Is. 7:14).  

Hebrews 10:5-10

Although the Letter to the Hebrews is sometimes attributed to Paul, most scholars agree that it was written after Paul’s death in 62 CE, but before 100 CE.  The letter was addressed to both Jewish and Gentile Jesus Followers who had suffered persecution. The letter introduced many important theological themes, such as Jesus the Christ as the perfect High Priest of the order of Melchizedek. 

In today’s reading, the author presented a meaning of the Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. He asserted (vv. 5-8) that Jesus had stated that God takes no pleasure in animal and grain sacrifices. This same idea is also found in verses in Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Amos and in Psalm 40.  

The author of the letter went on to say that the Crucifixion of Jesus “abolishes the first order” [animal and grain sacrifices] and that we have been sanctified once and for all through the offering of the body of Jesus the Christ. 

2018, December 16 ~ Zephaniah 3:14-20; and Philippians 4:4-7

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Zephaniah 3:14-20

Zephaniah is one of the 12 “Minor” Prophets, so-called because their works form a single scroll in the Hebrew Bible, as compared to the longer works of the “Major” Prophets – Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

Zephaniah was a prophet to Judea during the reign of the good King Josiah (640-609 BCE) who instituted most of the Deuteronomic reforms, particularly centralizing worship at the Temple in Jerusalem. Because Zephaniah prophesied against many practices prohibited by Deuteronomy (particularly worship of gods other than YHWH), his prophesy is generally dated to the period just before Josiah’s reforms began in 621 BCE. The Book is only three chapters, and most of the Book concerns the Day of the Lord in which YHWH will pour out his anger on the people for worshiping other gods.

Today’s reading is from the last half of Chapter 3, where the message shifted to oracles of salvation. Just before today’s reading, the prophet said the “proudly exultant ones” will be removed and only the humble and lowly will be left.

The people are urged to rejoice because YHWH is in their midst, will overcome Judea’s oppressors, gather the exiles together, and make the Judeans renowned.

Philippians 4:4-7

Philippi was a major city in Macedonia on the Roman road to Byzantium (Istanbul). Most of its inhabitants were Roman citizens. Paul had a deep affection for the Jesus Followers in Philippi and thanked them for gifts sent to him in prison (4:18).

At the end of Chapter 3, he told them that “we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” who will “transform our humble body that it may be conformed to the body of his glory.”

In today’s reading, Paul urged the Philippians to rejoice and let their gentleness be known by all for the Lord is near. They should not worry but should pray, and the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard their hearts and minds.