Dec 11 – 3 Advent Isaiah 35:1-10 The Return of the Redeemed to Zion Background: The first 39 chapters of Isaiah are considered a unit, typically referred to as First Isaiah. In this section, Isaiah prophesies against the Israelites and lays out God’s complaint against God’s chosen people. The first five chapters primarily contain oracles […]
Oct 30 – 24 Pentecost Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 The Prophet’s Complaint God’s Reply to the Prophet’s Complaint Background: The Book of Habakkuk is an account of one of the Lesser Prophets in the Hebrew Bible and occupies a place in the Scroll of the Twelve. This book provides little direct historical or personal information about […]
Oct 23 – 23 Pentecost Joel 2:23-32 God’s Response and Promise God’s Spirit Poured Out Background: The Book of Joel is the second book in the Masoretic book of the Twelve Prophets. Joel (meaning the Lord [יהוה] is God in Hebrew) is a prophet, most likely in post-exilic Israel. The book spans not only the […]
Oct 16 – 22 Pentecost Jeremiah 31:27-34 Individual Retribution and A New Covenant Background: The book of Jeremiah is fairly unique as it provides commentary and criticism of the Israelites during two periods of subjugation interspersed with a period of religious reform. Jeremiah is a descendant of the Levitical priestly line and was a descendant […]
Oct 9, 2016 21 Pentecost Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 Jeremiah’s Letter to the Exiles in Babylon Background: The account provided by the prophet Jeremiah details how Israel is condemned for not following the covenant with God and their wanton disrespect for the ways of salvation. This book is unique because it provides an account from before […]