Mar 26 – 4 Lent 1 Samuel 16:1-13 David Anointed as King Background: The books of Samuel describe the origins of kingship in Israel and detail the reigns of the first two kings, Saul and David. The book of First Samuel begins with the anointing of Saul as King by Samuel, Saul’s fall from God’s […]
Mar 19 – 3 Lent Exodus 17:1-7 Water from the Rock Background: The book of Exodus has two distinct settings each with a distinct portion of Israel’s story. The first 12 chapters detail Israel’s slavery in and deliverance from Egypt. Chapters 19-40 detail the establishment of the cultic practice and Israel’s wandering in the desert. […]
Mar 12 – 2 Lent Genesis 12:1-4a The Call of Abram Background: The first 11 chapters of Genesis set the stage for creation and provide a broad-brush picture of the state of humanity; beginning in the Garden of Eden, traversing the Flood, and finally with the Tower of Babel. Chapter 12 begins the Abraham Cycle […]
Mar 5 – 1 Lent Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 In the Garden The First Sin and Its Punishment Background: Genesis is held by Jew and Christian alike as a book that was dictated by God to Moses; although there is little information in the Hebrew Bible to support this claim. Genesis is a rich book unique […]
Feb 26 – Last Epiphany Exodus 24:12-18 On the Mountain with God Background: The book of Exodus serves two principal purposes: to describe God’s delivery of Israel from slavery in Egypt and the institution of a system of worshiping יהוה at Sinai. The institution of the cultic ritual begins in chapter 19 and concludes immediately […]