September 23, 2013

Dear Friends,

            This week, our Old Testament reading moves us into what scholars term, "Second Isaiah," or "The Book of the Consolation of Israel."  The historical context of this section of Isaiah's prophecy is the period of the exile. Held captive in Babylon, God's people had lost hope and fear that God had abandoned them. Thus, God sends the prophet to remind them that they are still God's people.  "Comfort, comfort my people," God instructs the prophet, and tell them that God is still with them.  In the  following chapters, we read the four "Suffering Servant Songs" which point to the coming of God's Servant to redeem his people. While the prophet may not have specifically imagined the Messiah as this Suffering Servant, as Christians, it is hard for us to avoid identifying the servant with Jesus.

            In our New Testament reading, we move into Paul's Letter to the Ephesians, which is probably more of a circular letter to several congregations rather than a single letter to a particular church.  The letter is neatly divided into two sections with chapters 1-3 consisting of theological teaching and chapters 4-6 with ethical exhortations. Both sections, however, celebrate the unity that Christ gives to the church.

            Our reading from Proverbs continues to inspire us with the wisdom of God.

 

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. 23	Isaiah 41:17-43:13	Ephesians 2:1-22	23:25-28
Sept. 24	Isaiah 43:14-45:10	Ephesians 3:1-21	23:29-35
Sept. 25	Isaiah 45:11-48:11	Ephesians 4:1-16	24:1-2
Sept. 26	Isaiah 48:12-50:11	Ephesians 4:17-32	24:3-4
Sept. 27	Isaiah 51:1-53:12	Ephesians 5:1-33	24:8
Sept. 28	Isaiah 54:1-57:13	Ephesians 6:1-24	24:8
Sept. 29	Isaiah 57:14-59:21	Philippians 1:1-26	24:9-10