T 8 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
This week, the Revised Common Lectionary offers a choice for the First Reading between Baruch and Malachi. Baruch 5:1-9 The Book of Baruch is not part of the “Canon” (accepted books) of the Hebrew Bible. It is, however, included as part of the Hebrew Scriptures in Roman Catholic and Orthodox Church Bibles as part of […]
Jeremiah 33:14-16 After the good King Josiah (who instituted many Deuteronomic reforms) was killed in battle in 609 BCE at Megiddo (the Greek name for which is Armageddon), the fortunes of Judea took a sharp downward turn. Babylon threatened Judea’s existence, and Judea had a series of hapless kings from 609 BCE until Jerusalem was […]
In some denominations, two different readings from the Hebrew Bible are available, and one is chosen to be read. Track 1 – 2 Samuel 23:1-7 The Book of Samuel is part of the “Deuteronomic History” that includes the books of Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings. These books emphasized that God controls history, and when […]
In some denominations, two different readings from the Hebrew Bible are available, and one is chosen to be read. Track 1 – 1 Samuel 1:4-20 The Book of Samuel is part of the “Deuteronomic History” that includes the books of Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings. These books emphasized that God controls history, and when […]
TODAY’S READINGS IN CONTEXT NOVEMBER 11, 2018 In some denominations, two different readings from the Hebrew Bible are available, and one is chosen to be read. Track 1: Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 The Book of Ruth is one of the shortest books of the Bible (four chapters) and is a beautiful story of a Moabite woman […]
The first reading is from either the Wisdom of Solomon or Isaiah for congregations celebrating All Saints’ Day. Wisdom 3:1-9 The Book of Wisdom, also known as “The Wisdom of Solomon,” is not part of the “Canon” (accepted books) of the Hebrew Bible. It is, however, included as part of the Hebrew Scriptures in Roman […]
Jeremiah 31:7-9 After the good King Josiah (who instituted many Deuteronomic reforms) was killed in battle in 609 BCE at Megiddo (the Greek name for which is Armageddon), the fortunes of Judea took a sharp downward turn. Babylon threatened Judea’s existence, and Judea had a series of hapless kings from 609 BCE until Jerusalem was […]