During the 2017 Pentecost Season, alternative readings from the Hebrew Bible are offered. Scripture in Context will discuss both readings and the reading from the Christian Scriptures.
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
The Book of Genesis starts with Creation and concludes with the death of Joseph (Jacob’s son) in Egypt. The Book is an amalgam of religious traditions, some of which are dated to about 950 BCE and others as late as 450 BCE.
Today’s reading begins the long and remarkably cohesive story of Joseph and his brothers in Chapters 37 to 50. Joseph was Jacob’s 11th son; his mother was Rachel, Jacob’s favorite wife. His older brothers’ antipathy and resentment arose from a “bad report” Joseph gave to Jacob (v. 2) and Jacob’s giving Joseph a robe with sleeves (not many colors), a sign of royalty.
Joseph was sold into slavery, and saved from death by the oldest brother, Reuben (v.22) and the fourth oldest brother, Judah (v.27). Judah later took the leadership role in dealing with Joseph in Egypt. Judah’s tribe will eventually inhabit Jerusalem and the area around it.
1 Kings 19:9-18
The Book of Kings is part of the “Deuteronomic History” that includes Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings. These books are a didactic history of Ancient Israel from the time in the Wilderness (c. 1250 BCE) to the Babylonian Captivity (587 BCE). They emphasize that God controls history, and when the people (and their kings) worship Yahweh properly, good things happen to them. When they worship false gods, however, tragic events overtake them.
Today’s reading is set during the reign of the evil King Ahab of Israel (the northern 10 tribes) from 873 to 852 BCE. Ahab’s wife was Jezebel, and she was a Baal worshiper. Just before today’s reading, the prophet Elijah demonstrated that YHWH’s power was greater than the priests of Baal. When Ahab told Jezebel what Elijah had done, she vowed revenge on Elijah, and Elijah fled to a cave in the holy mountain, Horeb (the name used by the Deuteronomists).
There, Elijah heard the still voice of YHWH and was directed to anoint Hazael as King of Aram (Syria), Jehu as king of Israel (an act of treason) and Elisha as his own successor (v. 16).
Romans 10:5-15
Paul’s letter to the Romans is his longest, last, and theologically most complex letter, written in the late 50s or early 60s (CE) – about ten years before the first Gospel (Mark) was written. One of Paul’s goals was to reduce tensions and eliminate distinctions between the Jewish Jesus Followers in Rome and Gentile Jesus Followers there (v.12).
Paul was a Jew all his life, and the Temple was active all during Paul’s life. (Paul died in 63 and the Temple was destroyed in 70 CE.) In Romans, Paul continued to use terms that need to be unpacked such as “righteousness” (right relationships with God and others), the “law” (the Torah), and “faith” (faithfulness). Paul emphasized that “belief” is a matter of the heart (v.10), not the intellect.
2017, August 20 ~ Genesis 45:1-15; Isaiah 56:1,6-8; & Romans 11:1-2a,29-32
/in Scripture in Context /by Thomas O'BrienDuring the 2017 Pentecost Season, alternative readings from the Hebrew Bible are offered. Scripture in Context will discuss both readings and the reading from the Christian Scriptures.
Genesis 45:1-15
Today’s reading continues the story of Joseph. After being sold into slavery, he was sold to Potiphar, an officer of the Pharaoh who put him in charge of his house. Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph, then falsely accused him and had him imprisoned. When in prison, Joseph (with YHWH’s help) interpreted dreams for the Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker. Later, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams and Pharaoh placed Joseph in charge of the nation. Joseph’s interpretation of the dreams was accurate and Egypt prepared for (and survived) a famine.
The famine also hit Israel, and Jacob sent his 10 oldest sons to Egypt where they bought grain. Joseph did not identify himself to them. When the grain ran out, and they went to Egypt again. After Joseph accused the brothers of stealing his silver cup, Judah agreed to be Joseph’s slave if Joseph would spare Jacob’s youngest and favorite son, Benjamin. Judah’s selflessness showed he was a true brother to Benjamin and his other brothers.
Hearing this affirmation of brotherhood, Joseph identified himself to his brothers in today’s emotional reading.
Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
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.
Today’s reading is part of Third Isaiah and is inclusive in tone. Speaking for YHWH, Isaiah affirms that foreigners who join themselves to YHWH and keep the sabbath will be joyful in YHWH’s house (v.7). The tension between the “exclusivists” (Ezra and Nehemiah) and the “inclusivist” books (Isaiah, Jonah and Ruth) continued into the First Century of the Common Era. Jesus of Nazareth is presented in the Gospels as an inclusivist.
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Paul’s letter to the Romans is his longest, last, and theologically most complex letter, written in the late 50s or early 60s (CE) – about ten years before the first Gospel (Mark) was written.
One of Paul’s goals in this letter was to reduce tensions and eliminate distinctions between the Jewish Jesus Followers in Rome and Gentile Jesus Followers there.
In today’s reading, Paul reaffirms that he is an “Israelite” (v.1) and warns against arrogance by Gentile Jesus Followers (v.32). Paul was a Jew all his life and the Temple was active all during Paul’s life. Paul died in 63 CE and the Temple was destroyed in 70 CE.
2017, August 13 ~ Genesis 37:1-4,12-28; 1 Kings 19:9-18; & Romans 10:5-15
/in Scripture in Context /by Thomas O'BrienDuring the 2017 Pentecost Season, alternative readings from the Hebrew Bible are offered. Scripture in Context will discuss both readings and the reading from the Christian Scriptures.
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
The Book of Genesis starts with Creation and concludes with the death of Joseph (Jacob’s son) in Egypt. The Book is an amalgam of religious traditions, some of which are dated to about 950 BCE and others as late as 450 BCE.
Today’s reading begins the long and remarkably cohesive story of Joseph and his brothers in Chapters 37 to 50. Joseph was Jacob’s 11th son; his mother was Rachel, Jacob’s favorite wife. His older brothers’ antipathy and resentment arose from a “bad report” Joseph gave to Jacob (v. 2) and Jacob’s giving Joseph a robe with sleeves (not many colors), a sign of royalty.
Joseph was sold into slavery, and saved from death by the oldest brother, Reuben (v.22) and the fourth oldest brother, Judah (v.27). Judah later took the leadership role in dealing with Joseph in Egypt. Judah’s tribe will eventually inhabit Jerusalem and the area around it.
1 Kings 19:9-18
The Book of Kings is part of the “Deuteronomic History” that includes Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings. These books are a didactic history of Ancient Israel from the time in the Wilderness (c. 1250 BCE) to the Babylonian Captivity (587 BCE). They emphasize that God controls history, and when the people (and their kings) worship Yahweh properly, good things happen to them. When they worship false gods, however, tragic events overtake them.
Today’s reading is set during the reign of the evil King Ahab of Israel (the northern 10 tribes) from 873 to 852 BCE. Ahab’s wife was Jezebel, and she was a Baal worshiper. Just before today’s reading, the prophet Elijah demonstrated that YHWH’s power was greater than the priests of Baal. When Ahab told Jezebel what Elijah had done, she vowed revenge on Elijah, and Elijah fled to a cave in the holy mountain, Horeb (the name used by the Deuteronomists).
There, Elijah heard the still voice of YHWH and was directed to anoint Hazael as King of Aram (Syria), Jehu as king of Israel (an act of treason) and Elisha as his own successor (v. 16).
Romans 10:5-15
Paul’s letter to the Romans is his longest, last, and theologically most complex letter, written in the late 50s or early 60s (CE) – about ten years before the first Gospel (Mark) was written. One of Paul’s goals was to reduce tensions and eliminate distinctions between the Jewish Jesus Followers in Rome and Gentile Jesus Followers there (v.12).
Paul was a Jew all his life, and the Temple was active all during Paul’s life. (Paul died in 63 and the Temple was destroyed in 70 CE.) In Romans, Paul continued to use terms that need to be unpacked such as “righteousness” (right relationships with God and others), the “law” (the Torah), and “faith” (faithfulness). Paul emphasized that “belief” is a matter of the heart (v.10), not the intellect.
2017, August 6 ~ Exodus 34:29-35 & 2 Peter 1:13-21
/in Scripture in Context /by Thomas O'BrienExodus 34:29-35
The Book of Exodus is the second book of the Bible, and covers the period from the slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh (around 1250 BCE, if the account is historical), the Exodus itself, and the early months in the Wilderness.
Today is known by many Christians as “Transfiguration Sunday.” In today’s reading, Moses’ face shone when he came down from Mount Sinai after speaking with Yahweh and writing the “words of the covenant” (the Ten Commandments or the Ten Words) on tablets. Moses put a veil over his face after he gave the people the Commandments and removed the veil whenever he spoke to Yahweh face-to-face.
In Exodus, this was the second time Moses received the Ten Commandments. When he came down the mountain the first time, the Israelites were worshipping the Golden Calf and he broke the tablets at the foot of the mountain (Ex. 32.19).
Moses’ speaking with God face-to-face became part of the description of the expected Messiah. This expectation was combined with two verses in the Book of Deuteronomy. In one verse, Yahweh promised to “raise up for them [the people of Israel] a prophet like you [Moses]” (Deut. 18.18). The other verse notes that no other prophet in Israel (other than Moses) has been known by YHWH face-to-face (Deut. 34.10).
2 Peter 1:13-21
In the First Century, it was not uncommon to write something in another person’s name so that the writing would have extra “authority” – particularly when the writer believed he knew what the “authority” (in this case, Peter) would have said.
The Second Letter of Peter was likely written around the year 100 CE (Peter died much earlier) and was written in the popular Greek rhetorical style of the age. The letter is presented as a “testament” by Peter based on his own experiences.
In today’s reading, “Peter” claims he was an eyewitness to the Transfiguration of Jesus where he heard the voice of God declare that Jesus was God’s Son and God’s Beloved. “Peter” concludes that prophesy comes from God to humans who are moved by the Spirit to speak for God.
2017, July 30 ~ Genesis 29:15-28, 1 Kings 3:5-12 & Romans 8:26-39
/in Scripture in Context /by Thomas O'BrienDuring the 2017 Pentecost Season, alternative readings from the Hebrew Bible are offered. Scripture in Context will discuss both readings and the reading from the Christian Scriptures.
Genesis 29:15-28
Today’s story is the concluding part of Jacob’s journey to find a wife. As many Biblical men do, he went to a well. There he encountered Rachel, who was his first cousin. (Laban was Rebekah’s brother and Jacob’s uncle.) When Jacob saw Rachel, he kissed her (v.11), and agreed to work for her father Laban so Rachel would be his wife (v.18).
After seven years, and in an ironic twist (because Jacob himself tricked his father Isaac into giving him the blessing that belonged to Esau, his older twin brother), Laban tricked Jacob by substituting his older daughter (Leah) for Rachel in Jacob’s tent on the wedding night (v.23). Jacob agreed with Laban to “complete Leah’s week” of marriage festivities, and Laban gave Rachel to Jacob as another wife (v.28). Jacob worked for Laban for another seven years (v.30). Leah bore Jacob’s first four sons, including Judah.
1 Kings 3:5-12
The Book of Kings is part of the “Deuteronomic History” that includes the books of Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings. These books are a didactic history of Ancient Israel from the time in the Wilderness (c. 1250 BCE) to the Babylonian Captivity in 587 BCE. They emphasize that God controls history, and when the people (and their kings) worship Yahweh properly, good things happen to them. When they worship false gods, however, tragic events overtake them.
Prior to today’s story, Solomon (who was David’s son by Bathsheba, and not the oldest of David’s sons) acceded to the throne upon David’s death in about 965 BCE through the machinations of Bathsheba and the prophet Nathan. Solomon was anointed king even before David’s death, and then ruthlessly eliminated those who might have challenged him as king.
Today’s story presents a dream sequence in which Solomon asked YHWH for wisdom, and YHWH granted him a wise and discerning mind (v.12). As events will unfold, Solomon ruled Israel harshly and married many foreign wives who turned his heart away from YHWH. According to the Deuteronomist, this contributed greatly to the breakup of the Kingdom in 930 BCE when Solomon died.
Romans 8:26-39
Paul’s letter to the Romans is his longest, last, and theologically most complex letter, written in the late 50s or early 60s (CE) – about ten years before the first Gospel (Mark) was written.
Today’s reading concludes Paul’s theologically dense discussion in Chapter 8. His theology includes the idea that even if matters are not going well (v.36), God’s purpose nevertheless prevails (v.28). He asserts “foreknowledge” on God’s part (v.29) and predestination (v.30).
The reading concludes with an oft-quoted affirmation that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (vv. 38-39).
2017, July 23 ~ Genesis 28:10-19a, Isaiah 44:6-8 & Romans 8:12-25
/in Scripture in Context /by Thomas O'BrienDuring the 2017 Pentecost Season, alternative readings from the Hebrew Bible are offered. Scripture in Context will discuss both readings and the reading from the Christian Scriptures.
Genesis 28:10-19a
Today’s story occurred after Jacob (with Rebekah’s connivance) tricked Isaac into giving him the blessing that should have gone to Jacob’s older twin brother, Esau. Jacob and Esau parted company, and Isaac directed Jacob to go to Haran (where Abraham came from) to find a suitable (i.e. non-Canaanite) wife.
Enroute, Jacob dreamt of a ladder (or stairway) with angels descending and ascending from heaven to earth. In Jacob’s dream, YHWH stood beside Jacob and reaffirmed the promise of extensive lands and many offspring that was made to Abraham in various forms in Genesis 12.
When Jacob awoke, he said this was a holy place and the “house of God” (v.19). He named the place “Bethel” because in Hebrew, “Beth” means house (as in “Bethlehem” – house of bread), and “el” is the most ancient name for God. The suffix “el” appears in many names that have meanings “of God” such as Gabriel (God is my strength), Daniel (God is my judge) and the like.
Isaiah 44:6-8
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.
Today’s reading is part of Second Isaiah in which the prophet speaks for YHWH to the Judeans in Exile and reassures them that YHWH is “first and last” (v.6), unique (v.7) and the “rock” upon which they can rely (v.8).
Romans 8:12-25
Paul’s letter to the Romans is his longest, last, and theologically most complex letter. It was written in the late 50s or early 60s (CE) – about ten years before the first Gospel (Mark) was written.
Today’s reading continues Paul’s extended discussion of sin, the flesh, and the Spirit. For Paul, “the flesh” is our human tendency towards self-centeredness and self-interest. “Sin” is our personal egoism that leads to “death” (both spiritual and physical). Life in the Spirit of God (or the Spirit of Christ Jesus) leads to wholeness and life. Paul emphasizes that as children of God, we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ – if we suffer with him. This suffering can take many forms, including rejection by those who embrace the values of the world/the flesh. Paul also introduces the sense of “now, but not yet” in terms of the glory to be revealed, and that God’s purposes for us are greater than the present time would indicate.
2017, July 16 ~ Genesis 25:19-34, Isaiah 55:10-13 & Romans 8:1-11
/in Uncategorized /by Thomas O'BrienDuring the 2017 Pentecost Season, alternative readings from the Hebrew Bible are offered. Scripture in Context will discuss both readings and the reading from the Christian Scriptures.
Genesis 25:19-34
Today’s reading comes after the burial of Abraham by his sons Ishmael and Isaac, and a list of the 12 tribes descended from Ishmael residing in the deserts on both sides of the Red Sea.
The birth of Jacob and Esau is an etiology, a story of origins (in Greek, “etio” means a beginning and “logo” is a story). An anthropomorphic (humanlike) YHWH tells Rebekah she has two nations in her womb (v.23). Jacob (whose name means “supplanter”) will become the father of the 12 tribes of Israel, and Esau (whose name means “red”) will be the father of the Edomites, traditional enemies of Israel.
In the story, the younger son Jacob buys Esau’s “birthright” (blessing, family leadership and a double share of inheritance when Isaac dies) for a bowl of stew. Esau is presented as dull-witted, willing to give up his birthright because he is hungry. This is a slap at the Edomites whom Israel dominated during the reigns of David and Solomon (1005-930 BCE), and who pillaged Jerusalem during the middle years of the Babylonian Exile (587-539 BCE).
Isaiah 55:10-13
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.
Today’s reading is the closing verses of Second Isaiah. It emphasizes the effectiveness of YHWH’s word (v.11) and the joy the people will experience (v.12) when the Exile ends with the conquest of the Babylonians by Cyrus the Great of Persia in 539 BCE and the Return to Jerusalem.
Romans 8:1-11
Paul’s letter to the Romans is his longest, last and most complex letter. It was written in the late 50s or early 60s (CE) – about ten years before the first Gospel (Mark) was written.
Today’s reading continues Paul’s extended discussion of law, sin, the flesh, and the Spirit. For Paul, “the flesh” is our human tendency towards self-centeredness and self-interest. “Sin” is our personal egoism that leads to “death” (both spiritual and physical). (Paul takes literally the story of Adam’s disobedience as the cause of human mortality.) Life in the Spirit leads to wholeness and Eternal Life. Paul uses “law” in diverse ways – in some places, it means the Jewish Law, but in other contexts it means a “way of living” as in “the law of the Spirit in the life of Christ Jesus” and “the law of sin and death” (v.2).
2017, July 9 ~ Genesis 24:34-38,42-49,58-67; Zechariah 9:9-12; Romans 7:15-25a
/in Uncategorized /by Thomas O'BrienDuring the 2017 Pentecost Season, alternative readings from the Hebrew Bible are offered. Scripture in Context will discuss both readings and the reading from the Christian Scriptures.
Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
Today’s reading is the conclusion of the story of how Abraham’s servant – not named in Chapter 24, but thought to be Eliezer of Damascus (Gen. 15:2) – obtained a wife for Isaac by going back to Haran, the land from which Abraham came.
Because of the emphasis on Isaac’s not taking a wife from the Canaanites (v.37) and the references to God as YHWH (“LORD” in the NRSV), the story is attributed to the Deuteronomic writers (650 to 550 BCE).
Abraham’s servant did what everyone looking for a wife does – he went to a well where women draw water. (Jacob and Moses also met their wives this way.) He encountered Rebekah, who was Isaac’s first cousin, once removed. (Her father, Bethuel, was Isaac’s first cousin.) Rebekah answered Eliezer’s questions satisfactorily (v.46) and he brought her to Isaac to be his wife (v.67).
Zechariah 9:9-12
The Book of Zechariah is the longest and most obscure of the “Minor Prophets” (so called because their books are much shorter than the three “Major Prophets” – Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. It has 14 chapters, and Chapters 9 to 14 are referred to as “An Oracle” – the superscription at the beginning of Chapter 9.
Today’s reading is one of the many (sometimes contradictory) descriptions of the anticipated Messiah found in the Hebrew Bible. The image here is a king who brings peace and rides on a donkey rather than on a war-horse. The king’s dominion is not only over Israel, but is from sea to sea, from “the River” (the Euphrates in northern Syria) to the ends of the earth (v.10).
The Hebrew Bible contains many parallelisms, and the description of the king “on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (v.9) is intended to describe one animal. The Gospel of Matthew (unlike Mark and Luke) treats the phrase as describing two animals (Matt.21.5).
Romans 7:15-25a
Paul’s letter to the Romans is his longest, last and most complex letter. It was written in the late 50s or early 60s (CE) – about ten years before the first Gospel (Mark) was written.
Today’s reading is part of Paul’s extended discussion of the law, sin, the flesh, and the Spirit. As a First Century Jew, Paul saw the Jewish Law as “spiritual” (v.14). But as a Jesus Follower, he recognized that mere obedience to the Law would not lead to wholeness/salvation. Without the Spirit, even outward obedience to the Law could be a manifestation of “the flesh” (our human tendency towards self-centeredness and self-interest) that is grounded in sin (our personal egoism). Paul says it is through the Spirit that we can be rescued from “this body of death” (v.24).
2017, July 2 ~ Genesis 22:1-14, Jeremiah 28:5-9 & Romans 6:12-23
/in Scripture in Context /by Thomas O'BrienDuring the 2017 Pentecost Season, alternative readings from the Hebrew Bible are offered. Scripture in Context will discuss both readings and the reading from the Christian Scriptures.
Genesis 22:1-14
Today’s reading is the story of the Near Sacrifice of Isaac, known to Jews as the Akedah (the Binding – based on verse 9). In the Quran, the same story appears, but the son whom Abraham was called to sacrifice was Ishmael, not Isaac.
Isaac’s age is not known. He is old enough to carry the wood (v.6) and discuss what will be sacrificed (v. 7). In some translations, he is called Abraham’s “only” son (vv.2 and 12), but in other translations, the word “only” is omitted and Isaac is referred to as Abraham’s “beloved” son. This recognizes that Abraham had another son, Ishmael, by Hagar (Sarah’s servant).
Abraham is described as having the “fear of God” (v.12). In the Hebrew Scriptures, this is generally understood as active obedience to the will of God (as one best discerns God’s will).
Jeremiah 28:5-9
After the righteous King Josiah was killed in battle in 609 BCE, the fortunes of Judea took a sharp downward turn. Babylon threatened Judea’s existence, and Judea had a series of hapless kings from 609 until Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The Babylonians deported some Judean leaders in 597 and a larger number of them in 586 (the beginning of the Babylonian Exile). Jeremiah’s prophesying (i.e. speaking for Yahweh) began around 609 and continued until 586 BCE when he died in Egypt.
Today’s reading is set in the period from 597 to 594 BCE. A false prophet, Hananiah, prophesied that the treasures from the Temple that were taken as spoils by the Babylonian King, Nebuchadnezzar, would be returned soon – even though Judah had not repented and Babylon was as strong as ever. In today’s verses and the ones that follow, Jeremiah says he hopes Hananiah’s prophesies would come true, but then denies that Hananiah has a commission from God and asserts that the Babylonians will enslave the Judeans.
Romans 6:12-23
Paul’s letter to the Romans is his longest, last and most complex letter. It was written in the late 50s or early 60s (CE) – about ten years before the first Gospel (Mark) was written.
Today’s reading continues Paul’s discussion of the effects of Baptism (which joins us in the death of Christ Jesus and unites us with him in overcoming death through resurrection). In speaking of “sin” (rather than “sins”), Paul is referring to the human propensity to assert our own ego and power rather than living as “instruments of righteousness” (v.13) i.e. living in right relationships with God and others. When Paul refers negatively to “the law,” he expresses the view that mere obedience to rules will not bring about human wholeness or salvation or righteousness or Eternal Life, terms which Paul uses interchangeably.
2017, June 25 ~ Genesis 21:8-21, Jeremiah 20:7-13 & Romans 6:1b-11
/in Scripture in Context /by Thomas O'BrienDuring the 2017 Pentecost Season, alternative readings from the Hebrew Bible are offered. Scripture in Context will discuss both readings and the reading from the Christian Scriptures.
Genesis 21:8-21
The word “Genesis” means “origin” and the Book of Genesis starts with Creation and concludes with the death of Joseph (Jacob’s son) in Egypt. The Book is an amalgam of religious traditions, some of which are dated to about 950 BCE and some as late as 450 BCE.
The verses before today’s reading tell of the conception of Isaac by the 90+ year old Sarah and his birth. (Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian slave, bore Abraham’s first son, Ishmael, 13 years earlier.)
Today’s account is part of an “etiology” – a story of origins – of non-Jewish Semitic peoples who claim their ancestral fatherhood through Ishmael. In the story, God says, “I will make a great nation of him” to Abraham (v. 13) and to Hagar (v.18).
Even though God urges Abraham to acquiesce to Sarah’s demand that he cast out the slave woman and her 15-year old son (v. 10), God hears Hagar’s lament (“Ishmael” means “God hears”) and protects both Hagar and Ishmael.
Muslims, based on the Quran, trace their religious roots to Abraham through Ishmael.
Jeremiah 20:7-13
After the righteous King Josiah was killed in battle in 609 BCE, the fortunes of Judea took a sharp downward turn. Babylon threatened Judea’s existence, and Judea had a series of hapless kings from 609 until Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The Babylonians deported some Judeans in 597 and a larger number in 586 (the beginning of the Babylonian Exile). Jeremiah’s prophesy (i.e. speaking for Yahweh) began around 609 and continued until 586 BCE when he died in Egypt.
Today’s reading is one of Jeremiah’s laments in which he claims YHWH exerts such irresistible power over him that he cannot help but proclaim the unpopular message that unless the king and people reform, they will be overcome by Babylon and be in captivity. Notwithstanding his lament, Jeremiah expresses confidence in God’s protection for those who rely on YHWH (v. 13).
Romans 6:1b-11
Paul’s letter to the Romans is his longest, last and most complex letter. It was written in the late 50s or early 60s (CE) – about ten years before the first Gospel (Mark) was written.
Today’s reading is a discussion by Paul of the effects of Baptism. In Baptism, we are united with Christ Jesus in his death, we will be united with him in resurrection (v. 5), and we should consider ourselves “dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (v.11). For Paul, “sin” (as contrasted with “sins”) can be understood as our human propensity to put ourselves and our egos in first place rather than (as Jesus did) having the good of others as our primary focus.
2017, June 18 ~ Genesis 18:1-15, Exodus 19:2-8a & Romans 5:1-8
/in Scripture in Context /by Thomas O'BrienDuring the 2017 Pentecost Season, alternative readings from the Hebrew Bible are offered. Scripture in Context will discuss both readings and the reading from the Christian Scriptures.
Genesis 18:1-15
The word “Genesis” means “origin” and the Book of Genesis starts with Creation and concludes with the death of Joseph (Jacob’s son) in Egypt. The Book is an amalgam of religious traditions, some of which are dated to about 950 BCE and some as late as 450 BCE.
Today’s reading is the account of three “men” (also identified as YHWH in verse 13) who came to Abraham’s tent at Mamre (whose oaks were regarded as oracles). They predicted that Sarah (who was over 90 years old) would have a son in a year. Sarah’s laughed. This anticipated the name of her son, Isaac (which means “he laughs”). Abraham’s hospitality to the three sacred figures was overwhelming: an entire calf and three “measures” of flour (about 63 quarts of flour).
Exodus 19:2-8a
Exodus, the second book of the Bible, covers the slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh (around 1250 BCE, if the account is historical), the Exodus itself, and early months in the Wilderness.
Today’s reading is from the Priestly writer – shown by the emphasis on precise dates. The events occurred “on the very day” of the third new moon after leaving Egypt, the day the Israelites reached Sinai. (The holy mountain is called “Horeb” by other writers – for example, Ex. 3:1.)
YHWH proposed a conditional covenant to Moses and the Israelites (“If you obey my voice” v.5), and all the people responded that they would do all that YHWH had spoken (v.8). This event is the basis in Judaism for the Feast of Pentecost (Ex. 23.16).
Romans 5:1-8
Paul’s letter to the Romans is his longest, last and most complex letter. It was written in the late 50s or early 60s (CE) – about ten years before the first Gospel (Mark) was written.
Paul uses some words that are difficult for us. He says we are “justified” in verse 1. This means living in “righteousness” or in a right relationship with God and others – being “justified” as a page of type is “justified” when the margins are square on both the left and the right.
Paul’s use of “faith” (v.1) is better understood as “faithfulness” because the Greek word has an active aspect. Today, “Faith” is often understood as intellectual assent to one or more propositions. “Faithfulness” is active living into one’s beliefs through grace and trust in God.
Paul was a Jew who became a Jesus Follower (the term “Christian” hadn’t been invented in his lifetime). All during Paul’s life, animal sacrifices at the Jerusalem Temple were a way Jews were reconciled to YHWH. This continued until the Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE – after Paul’s death. It is therefore not surprising that Paul uses “sacrifice” language to interpret the meaning of the Crucifixion: “Christ died for us” (v.8); we are “justified by his blood” (v. 9).