2016, November 27 ~ Isaiah 2:1-5 & Romans 13:11-14
Isaiah 2: 1-5
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 30 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 contains encouragement to the Judeans who returned to Jerusalem after the Exile.
Today’s reading is set in the time from 733 to 701 BCE. As a “prophet,” Isaiah does not foretell the future, but instead speaks for Yahweh. In his visions, Isaiah saw the restoration of Israel through the power of Yahweh and saw many people coming to Jerusalem for instruction (in Hebrew, “Torah”). Today’s verses precede a call for the House of Jacob (i.e. Israel) to reform and walk in the light of Yahweh.
Romans 13:11-14
Paul’s letter to the Romans is his longest, last and most complex letter. It was written in the late 50’s or early 60’s (CE) to a Jesus Follower community that Paul did not establish. Among Paul’s major concerns is to encourage respectful and supportive relationships between the Gentile Jesus Followers and the Jewish Jesus Followers in Rome. Nero’s predecessor (Claudius) expelled all the Jews from Rome in 49. During Nero’s reign (54-68 CE), he allowed Jews (including Jewish Jesus Followers) to return. The return created tensions within the Jesus Follower Community. (Jesus Followers were not called “Christians” until the 80’s.)
In today’s reading, Paul exhorts the community to live honorably because the day of salvation is near. He urges them to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” – a metaphor for baptism. In speaking of “the flesh,” Paul is not referring to the human body, but instead to human self-centeredness and selfishness.