Sunday, September 1, 2013

September 2, 2013

Dear Friends,

            This week, our reading moves us through two of the most unique books within the Old Testament.  In Ecclesiastes, we are introduced to the philosophy of "The Preacher" as the writer is often called, who seems to question many of the accepted beliefs of the Hebrew faith, but who ultimately affirms God's presence and control.  In The Song of Solomon, is a collection of 25 poems or fragments of poems of human love and courtship, which are often erotic in their imagery and provide allusions to the mythical love between a god and a goddess.  In the Christian tradition, this song has been interpreted as an allegory of the love Christ has for his bride, the Church. 

            As we turn to the middle chapters of Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians, Paul continues to defend his credentials for ministry and encourages the Corinthian Church to support the work of the larger Christian community by providing an offering for the Church in Jerusalem.  In Proverbs 22, we move to the third of four "books" within these wisdom writings.  This particular section of Proverbs contains a series of writings which resemble the instructions found in the writing of Egyptian sages and perhaps were modeled after "The Instruction of Amen-em-ope," which dates beyond 1,000 BCE. 

            May God continue to inspire us as we read his Word together.

 

Grace & Peace,

 

Tom Lovell

 

 

A YEAR WITH THE BIBLE.  Below are the daily readings for this week thru Sunday.  You may also read or listen online at http://dailyaudiobible.com.

Date

Old Testament

New Testament

Proverbs

Sept. 2

Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:22

II Corinthians 6:1-13

22:15

Sept. 3

Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12

II Corinthians 6:14-7:7

22:16

Sept. 4

Ecclesiastes 7:1-9:18

II Corinthians 7:8-16

22:17-19

Sept. 5

Ecclesiastes 10:1-12:14

II Corinthians 8:1-15

22:20-21

Sept. 6

Song of Solomon 1:1-4:16

II Corinthians 8:16-24

22:22-23

Sept. 7

Song of Solomon 5:1-8:14

II Corinthians 9:1-15

22:24-25

Sept. 8

Isaiah 1:1-2:22

II Corinthians 10:1-18

22:26-27

 


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