II Samuel 7: 1-11, 16 Now that King David is settled in a permanent home, he wants to build a permanent home for the “ark of God,” which had always been housed in a tent or in a portable vehicle … Continue reading →

Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11 After decades of intimidation, war and finally the total destruction of Jerusalem and then captivity by the Babylonians, every aspect of the personal and social life of God’s people is in shambles.  The people of God … Continue reading →

Isaiah 40: 1-11 After decades of threats from neighboring super  powers and then invasion by the Assyrians followed by the Babylonians, “Isaiah” hears an unidentified voice that announces, “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord….  Then the glory … Continue reading →

Isaiah 64: 1-9 The Book of Isaiah concludes by recalling two distinct and seemingly contradictory traits of God’s behavior.  When God reveals God’s-Self, it is the equivalent of creation erupting– “mountains quake,” “fire kindles.”  Yet, this same God whose self-revelation … Continue reading →

Ezekiel 34: 11-16, 20-24 Using familiar experiences  from everyday life, the Hebrew prophets and poets describe God as a potter (Jeremiah, Isaiah), a gardener (Jeremiah), mother (Isaiah), healer (Jeremiah) and, most frequently, a shepherd.  Writing in a time of complete … Continue reading →

Deuteronomy 8: 7-18 The Book of Deuteronomy was compiled and edited as the farewell sermon/address by Moses to God’s people in which he reviews all that God had done for God’s people with a recurring admonition– Keep all the Lord’s … Continue reading →

Judges 4: 1-7 A victim of Joshua’s victory over him, Jaban the King of Hazar, now wants revenge.  He mobilizes a large, well-equipped army for the conquest of Israel.  The alarmed Israelites turn to a well-respected leader, the prophetess and … Continue reading →

Joshua 24: 1-3a, 14-25 Joshua gathers together  the tribes of Israel.  He tests the limits of their loyalty to the God of their origins through Abraham and Sarah.  The first test is between their loyalty to God and the gods … Continue reading →

Joshua 24: 1-3a, 14-25 We are now in the hands of an author/editor commonly known as the “Deuteronominist,” whom Robert Alter assumes to actually be the prophet Jeremiah assisted by his secretary, Baruch.  (Who Wrote the Bible, p. 146 ff)  … Continue reading →

Revelation to John 7: 9-17 Under duress as a persecuted minority in the Roman Empire, the writer recalls for the community of followers of Jesus (from memory?) fragments from the prophets, especially Amos, Jeremiah and Isaiah as well as  Psalm … Continue reading →