Tag: redemption
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Yom Kippur
For thus says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:I dwell in the high and holy place and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit,to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15
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“Promises, Promises”
Context matters, including for the Biblical promises, but the deep promise of God’s redemptive purposes for humankind is itself the context for all of our lives.
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Reflecting on Ezra 1 1-8, 11, 2 64-70
What does this text we are studying for Sunday, March 6 – Ezra 1:1-8, 11, and Ezra 2:64-70 – tell us about “redemption”? This seems to me an enormous, multi-faceted question that arises from this text. Our published curriculum [the Present Word], and presumably the Uniform Series guide on which it’s based, has cast this…
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Studying Ezra 1 1-8, 11, 2 64-70
We are studying portions of Ezra 1 and 2 (1:1-8, 11; 2:64-70) for Sunday, March 6. This is the beginning of the story of “the return.” The return, that is, of the exiled Israelites, from Babylonia to Jerusalem. It includes the initial edict of King Cyrus that announced the possibility of a return, and that…
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Reflecting on Psalm 107
What does it mean to be among “the redeemed”? We are studying Psalm 107 for Sunday, October 17, which develops several detailed images of “the redeemed.” How, we might ask, do any of these images resonate with our own experience – or do our own images of “redemption” differ from those in the psalm? [Some…
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Studying Psalm 107
We will not be going down to the sea in ships, I hope, but we may find ourselves thinking about those famous words as we are studying Psalm 107 for Sunday, October 17. [Some questions on the text are here.] Here are a few notes on this text, including some specific focus on verses 1-9…
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Studying Nehemiah 2 11-20
We are studying Nehemiah 2:11-20 for Sunday, April 18. This is the part of the “Nehemiah memoir” that deals with Nehemiah’s initial first-hand survey of the damaged walls of Jerusalem, and his initiation of the project of rebuilding the walls. [Some questions on the text are here.] Here are my notes on this text: BACKGROUND…
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Reflecting on Hosea 11 & 12
We are studying Hosea, portions of chapters 11 and 12 (11:1-2, 7-10, 12:1-2, 6-14) for Sunday, May 31, as we wind up our quarter on Biblical messages of justice. [Here are some notes on the text.] Here are a few questions we might want to consider, or discuss, in studying this text: What is the…
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Studying Hosea 11 & 12
We are studying Hosea, portions of chapters 11 and 12 (11:1-2, 7-10, 12:1-2, 6-14) for Sunday, May 31. These are two of the concluding, carefully hopeful final chapters of this short prophetic book. [Some questions on the text are here.] Here are some notes on this text: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: The prophet Hosea was active…
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Studying Zechariah 8 1-17
We are studying Zechariah 8:1-17 [technically, not including verses 9-10] for Sunday, May 10. This is a prophetic speech that paints a picture of a community restored for a life of peace and justice. [Some questions on the text are here.] Here are my notes on this text: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: The book of Zechariah…
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Studying Zephaniah 3 14-20
We are studying Zephaniah 3:14-20 for Sunday, May 3. This is the sudden, happy good news that comes abruptly at the end of a prophecy that up to this point has focused on complete and total dire destruction. [Here are some questions on the text.] Here are my notes on this text: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT:…
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Reflecting on Isaiah 61 8 – 62 4
We are studying Isaiah 61:8-62:4 for Sunday, April 26. The text contains exuberant promises about the future of a Zion/Jerusalem restored to justice, righteousness, and divine favor. [Here are my notes on the text.] Here are some questions we might want to consider as we think about the text: Our reading begins with a clear…
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Studying Isaiah 61 8 – 62 4
We are studying Isaiah 61:8-62:4 for Sunday, April 26. This is a hopeful description of the future, redeemed state of Jerusalem, addressed to contemporaries who, it seems, have not yet seen its fulfillment. [Here are some study/discussion questions on this text.] Here are my notes on this text: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: Our text is almost…
Matters of Interpretation 