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2018, January 21 ~ Jonah 3:1-5, 10; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31

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Jonah 3:1-5, 10

The Book of Jonah is one of the shortest (and most humorous) books in the Bible, and is included in the 12 Minor Prophets. Though Jonah is never described in the book as a “prophet,” he is a “prophet” who eventually spoke for YHWH by urging the people of Nineveh to repent.

The story was written after the Exile (after 539 BCE), but was set earlier when Assyria was threatening Israel and Judea (850 to 600 BCE). The Northern 10 tribes (Israel) was conquered by Assyria in 722 BCE.

For Judeans, converting Nineveh (the capital of Assyria) was unthinkable, and Jonah tried to avoid doing it. When first told by YHWH to go to Nineveh (northern modern Iraq), Jonah got on a ship to Tarshish (modern Spain) – as far from Assyria as possible in the then-known world.

When the ship foundered because of Jonah’s presence and violation of YHWH’s direction to go to Nineveh, the sailors threw him overboard and Jonah was swallowed by a large fish. Jonah prayed for deliverance, and the fish “spewed him out on dry land” (v. 2.10).

In today’s reading, YHWH again directed Jonah to go to Nineveh, where Jonah told the people the city would be destroyed in 40 days. The people proclaimed a fast, and God spared the city.

The story emphasized two theological understandings that are found in much of the Hebrew Bible: (1) God directs all that happens and (2) God sometimes has a change of mind. It also presented a view that countered the exclusivism of Ezra and Nehemiah (YHWH worship is only for Judeans) and affirmed that God’s mercy is for all people, even one’s enemies.

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Corinth, a large port city in Greece, was among the early Jesus Follower communities that Paul founded. Its culture was diverse and Hellenistic; Corinthians emphasized reason and secular wisdom. In addition to Paul, other Jesus Followers taught in Corinth, sometimes in ways inconsistent with Paul’s understandings of what it meant to be a Jesus Follower. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians was written in the 50’s (CE) (likely while Paul was in Ephesus) and presented his views on many issues that were controversial in the early Jesus Follower Community.

Today’s reading reflects Paul’s understanding that the current economic system in Corinth (private property, slavery, commerce) and social forms (such as patriarchal marriage) were about to disappear (v. 31) when a new order arrived. Over time, these notions evolved into the idea of the “Second Coming” of the Christ.

The “Second Coming” developed relatively early in the Jesus Follower Movement because Jesus of Nazareth had not fulfilled all the traditional “job descriptions” of the Messiah in his earthly life – the nation was not unified; the Romans were not expelled; Shalom (peace and order) did not reign. It became understood that at the Second Coming, all will be fulfilled.

2018, January 14 ~ 1 Samuel 3:1-20; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

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1 Samuel 3:1-20

The Book of Samuel is part of the “Deuteronomic History” that includes the books of Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings. These books are a “didactic history” that covers the period from just before the entry into the Promised Land (c.1220 BCE, if the account is historical) to the beginning of Babylonian Captivity (586 BCE). The books were written in the period from 640 BCE to 550 BCE and continued to be revised even after that.

The Deuteronomists emphasized that YHWH controls history, and when the people (and their kings) worshiped YHWH properly, good things would happen to them. When they worshiped false gods, however, bad events would overtake them.

The Book of Samuel (to the extent it may be historical) covers from the end of the Time of the Judges (c.1030 BCE) to the last years of the Reign of David (c. 965 BCE).

Today’s reading describes the call by YHWH of young Samuel (whose name means “God [el] has heard’). Samuel is described as the last of the Judges and the first of the great prophets of Israel. He is a towering and admirable figure in the Hebrew Bible. His mother, Hannah, was barren until YHWH “remembered” her in response to her prayers. He was dedicated by Hannah to YHWH as a “nazirite” (1 Sam.1:9) — one who would never cut his hair and or touch wine or strong drink. Two other nazirites in Scripture were Samson (who did not fulfill his vows) and John the Baptizer.

Among his significant acts, Samuel (at YHWH’s direction) anointed the first two kings of Israel (Saul and David). The Book of Samuel is ambivalent about whether having a king was good for Israel (it united the tribes politically against their enemies) or bad because Israel ceased to be a theocracy (governed by YHWH through priests).

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Corinth, a large port city in Greece, was among the early Jesus Follower communities that Paul founded. Its culture was diverse and Hellenistic, and Corinthians 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) (likely while Paul was in Ephesus) and presented his views on several issues.

Today’s reading appears to be in response to a letter received from Corinth, as shown by the Hellenistic (“enlightened”) statements in verses 12 and 13 that Paul quotes (and refutes) in today’s reading. Paul discusses the human body and rejects fornication, not on the basis of the Law, but on the bases that Jesus Followers are members of Christ (v.15) and united to the Lord (v.17) so that one’s body is a temple/sanctuary (v.19). Paul concludes that one should glorify God in one’s body (v.20).

2017, December 3 ~ Isaiah 64:1-9; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

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Isaiah 64:1-9

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, for the most part, gives encouragement to the Judeans who returned to Jerusalem after the Exile.

Although today’s reading is from the chapters called “Third Isaiah,” these verses were composed soon after Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians and the Babylonian Exile began in 587 BCE. This is clearly shown by the two verses immediately preceding today’s reading (63:18-19) and the two verses following it (vv. 10-11), all of which refer to the recent destruction of Jerusalem.

The reading itself is a lament and prayer to the LORD/YHWH (vv. 8-9) that confessed the sinfulness of the Judeans (vv. 5b-7) and their perception of YHWH’s hiddenness (v.7) from them. The concluding verses appealed to YHWH as a father and as a potter who molded the people (v.8). Jeremiah also used the image of a potter to describe YHWH who molded the people (Jer. 18:6).

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Corinth, a large port city in Greece, was among the early Jesus Follower communities that Paul founded. Its culture was Hellenistic and the Corinthians 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 presented his views on several issues.

Today’s reading from the opening chapter of the letter 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). Paul acknowledged the importance of rhetoric and reason in Corinth by noting that the Corinthians have been “enriched” in “speech and knowledge” (v.5). He tells them that the Lord Jesus Christ will strengthen them so they will be blameless at the time of judgment and fulfillment, the “day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 8). Paul reminded them that they were called into “the fellowship of the Son” (v.9).

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

2017, June 11 ~ Genesis 1:1-2:3 & 2 Corinthians 13:5-14

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Genesis 1:1-2.3

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 of which were developed as late as 450 BCE.

Today’s reading is the First Creation Story. (The Second Creation Story begins at 2.4 and tells of YHWH’s forming the earthling – adam – out of the fertile earth – adamah – and breathing life into the earthling.) Even the name of God is different in the Second Creation Story.

The First Creation Story is structured as seven days in which God — Elohim (literally, “the gods”) in the Hebrew – brings order (Shalom) to all reality by separating its component parts. It is noteworthy that creation is not presented as a creation out of nothing but rather an ordering of the earth, the waters, light and time. (The already-existing earth is described as formless and darkness covers the already-existing waters in verse 2.)

This Story is very similar in structure to the seven-day Babylonian Creation Story which the Jewish People encountered during the Babylonian Captivity (587-539 BCE). For this reason and because of the emphasis on the Sabbath on the seventh day, scholars agree that this First Creation Story was composed by the “Priestly” authors in the period from 550 to 450 BCE.

This reading is selected for Trinity Sunday because (among other things) the name of God in Hebrew in this account (Elohim) is a plural word (Hebrew words ending in “im” are plural) and because Verse 1:26 says “Let us make humankind in our image.” Christian interpreters have sometimes also seen “the wind from God” (v.2) as the Spirit of the Trinity.

2 Corinthians 13:5-14

Corinth, a large port city in Greece, was among the early Jesus Follower communities that Paul founded. Its culture was Hellenistic and emphasized reason, secular wisdom and a hierarchical structure in society. Paul’s relationship with the community was often strained.

Most scholars believe that the letter is a composite of several letters because Paul’s tone shifts so significantly within the letter. It moves from conciliatory (Chapter 2) to argumentative (3 to 5), to reconciling (6 and 7), to appealing for funds (8 and 9), to attacking “super-apostles” (11), to defensive regarding accusations he has enriched himself from the collections (12). Today’s reading is the concluding part of this Second Letter and is a mix of scolding and exhortation. For example, 13:2 and 13:10 are scolding and 13.11-12 are an appeal for good behavior on the part of the Corinthians.

Acts 2:1-21, 1 Cor. 12:3b-13 & Num. 11:24-30

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Acts 2:1-21

The book, “The Acts of the Apostles,” was written by the author of the Gospel According to Luke around 85 to 90 CE. Today’s reading is an account of the giving of the Holy Spirit to the disciples on Pentecost. (Another account is given in John 20.22 when the resurrected Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit upon the disciples on the evening of Easter.)

Pentecost was a well-established Jewish Feast ordained by Lev. 23 to celebrate the spring barley harvest 50 days after Passover. It was also known as the Feast of Weeks and Jewish tradition held that the gift of the Law was given on this day. It was one of the three feasts in Judaism that called for Jews to come to Jerusalem. For this reason, Jews and proselytes (full converts to Judaism) gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast.

The “violent wind” (v.2) is likely a reference to the “wind from God” that swept over the waters in the First Creation Story (Gen. 1:2) and recognizes that breath is the sign of life, as when YHWH breathed life into the earthling in the Second Creation Story (Gen. 2:7).

In describing the disciples speaking other languages, the author signifies a reversal of the confusion caused by the multiplicity of languages “resulting” from the Tower of Babel story in Genesis 11.

1 Cor. 12:3b-13

Corinth, a large port city in Greece, was among the early Jesus Follower communities that Paul founded. Its culture was Hellenistic and emphasized reason, secular wisdom and a hierarchical structure in society.

In today’s reading, Paul emphasizes diversity in unity, and uses the metaphor of the body as unifying the members and their different gifts of the Spirit (vv. 12-13). This discussion is a basis for his exhortation in the verses that follow (vv. 14-20) that even an individualistic attitude by any member would not make it any less a part of the whole body.

Num. 11:24-30

Numbers is the fourth book of the Torah (Hebrew meaning “teaching” or “Law”), known in Greek as the Pentateuch (“Five Books”). It describes the time of the Israelites in the Wilderness before entering the Promised Land. If the time in the Wilderness is historical (no archeological evidence has ever been found to support it), this would have been around 1250 BCE.

Most of the book of Numbers was written by the “Priestly Source” during the Babylonian Exile (587-539 BCE) and the 100 years after the Exile.

Today’s reading describes imparting the spirit of “prophesy” (ability to speak for God) on 70 elders. This sharing of the spirit causes concern among some of Moses’ followers, and Moses reassures them that the spirit of YHWH may be shared. The story reflects the Hebrew Bible’s ambivalence about prophesy generally.

2017, February 19 ~

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Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18

Leviticus is the third book of the Torah and is mostly concerned with laws and the worship of God at his sanctuary. The book gets its name from the priests who were of the Tribe of Levi. It is part of the Priestly writings and is dated to the time of the Exile (587-539 BCE) and after the Exile.

Today’s reading is part of the “Holiness Code” written after the Exile that comprises Chapters 17 to 26. The opening verses call for the people of Israel (and us) to be “holy” – which is understood as being “separate” (that is, not OF this world and its values, even though we are IN this world).

The next part of the reading sounds very much like the Ten Commandments, but sets up higher standards: not leaving food and drink for the poor is tantamount to stealing; one needs to care for the handicapped; taking vengeance and bearing a grudge are wrong. The reading concludes with the verse quoted by Jesus of Nazareth as the Second Great Commandment.

1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23

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 continues Paul’s argument to the Corinthians that they should be unified. He asserts that he laid the foundation for their faith and this foundation is Jesus the Christ (v. 11). He tells the Corinthians that they are “God’s temple” – even though the Temple in Jerusalem was in full operation during all of Paul’s life. (The Jerusalem Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE). Today’s reading concludes with Paul’s continuing attack on the “wisdom/values of the world” and his affirmation that these values are “foolishness to God.” The final verse describes the “Cosmic Christ” that draws all to itself and to God.

2017, February 12 ~ Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Sirach 15:15-20 & 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

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Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Deuteronomy is the fifth (and last) book of the Torah and is presented as Moses’ final speech to the Israelites just before they enter the Promised Land. The word “Deuteronomy” comes from Greek words that mean “Second Law.” The book is structured as a “restatement’ of the laws in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. Although there were revisions to Deuteronomy as late as the 5th Century BCE, the bulk of the book is generally dated to the 7th Century BCE.

It is also the first book of the “Deuteronomic History” – a didactic history of Ancient Israel from the time in the Wilderness to the Babylonian Exile (589 BCE) and includes the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings.

In today’s reading, the Deuteronomic authors portray the covenant with YHWH as conditional. If the people (and particularly the king) love the LORD and “walk in his ways” (v.16), good things will happen for them. But if they “turn away” by worshiping other gods, they will perish. Their choice was whether to “choose life” or not (v. 19).

The Revised Common Lectionary for today offers a choice between Sirach and 1 Corinthians.

Sirach 15:15-20

The Book of Sirach is not included in the Jewish version of the Hebrew Bible, but is included in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox versions of the Hebrew Bible. Protestants place Sirach in a separate section of the Bible called the “Apocrypha” (which means “hidden books”). The book is known by the name of its author, and its full title is “The Wisdom of Jesus, son of Sirach.” It was written around 180 BCE, during a time when the Seleucids (from Syria) were ruling Judea and trying to impose Greek gods upon the Judeans. Ben Sira describes himself as a “scribe” (a person of learning).

In today’s reading, Sirach reiterates the theme of Deuteronomy 30 that the Jewish people must choose whether to obey the commandments or not. Consistent with today’s reading from Deuteronomy, the choice is between life and death (v.17).

1 Corinthians 3:1-9

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. This led to contentions among the Corinthians.

Today’s reading continues Paul’s argument to the Corinthians. He asserts that he cannot speak to them as “spiritual people” and they need to be fed spiritual “baby food” because they are “still of the flesh” (exhibiting “human inclinations” by quarreling and being jealous). Growth in faith comes from God, not particular teachers, including Paul and Apollos.

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.