INTRODUCTIONS TO OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE READINGS
Introduction:
Most Christians are not well versed in the Old Testament. Therefore when the Old Testament is read out on Sunday at church, much of the value of having such a reading as part of the service is lost. I have been in the habit of providing a short introduction to the lesson before I read it. The feedback I have received from the congregation of the church I attend has been very positive, and I have been encouraged to put my introductions into writing, so that others may make use of them.
The following is intended to be of assistance to persons who have been asked to read a lesson in church on Sunday, and who agree that a short introduction would be helpful to the listeners. In each of the following introductions I have attempted, in five sentences or less, to give some sense of the historic background and the times when the words were written, together with a few notes that help to explain the intent and meaning of certain phrases.
These very brief introductions should not be used as a substitute for a thorough study of the bible passages. These words are only intended to cause the listeners to have more interest in the passage assigned to be read in the lectionary. My primary references are: marginal notes in the New Revised Standard Version (Oxford Annotated Bible and also Harper Study Bible), William Neil's One Volume Bible Commentary, New Commentary on Holy Scripture (edited by Charles Gore), and sometimes other well known bible commentaries.
The lessons listed below are for the Revised Common Lectionary, for Canada: Year C from December 3, 2000 (Advent Sunday) to November 25, 2001 Year A from December 2, 2001 (Advent Sunday) to November 24, 2002 Year B from December 1, 2002 (Advent Sunday) to November 23, 2003
_____________________________________________________________________________
BEGINNING OF YEAR "C"
December 3, 2000 - First Sunday of Advent - Jeremiah 33:14-16
Jeremiah's active life covered the last 40 years before Jerusalem fell in 587 BC, as various prophets prophesied; in fact he is the best authority we have for the last days of Jerusalem. He was a quiet self-conscious man who reluctantly became a prophet, and then he was dragged into the vortex of public affairs, and endured greater tribulation and hardship than any other prophet. During the siege of Jerusalem, he was thrown in prison, but he still prophesied. After Jerusalem fell, he was carried off to Egypt where, according to tradition, he was eventually stoned to death. Our passage today foretells the coming of a leader from the House of Judah, who will save Judah.
December 10, 2000 - Second Sunday of Advent - Malachi 3:1-4 (see alternate below)
Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament, was written around 400 BC, (other books were written later) in the period just after the exiles had returned from captivity in Babylon. He paints a picture of a society where religion and morality alike were treated with scant respect. The legacy of the old patriarchs and prophets was in danger of being destroyed, and that caused several writers to contribute to this book which took the title of "Malachi" which means "my messenger". In today's lesson, the writer indicates that YHWH will not allow such things to go unpunished.
General introduction to the Apocrypha:
Alexander the Great built the Great Library at Alexandria, Egypt, which was to be the greatest library in all the world (until it was burned down by Julius Caesar). The Librarian at Alexandra was quite a character. He realized that the Hebrew scriptures were not in his library because all the books in his library had to be written in Greek. So he sent to Israel and requested six scholars from each of the twelve tribes of Israel to come to Alexandria and translate the Hebrew scriptures into Greek. That means that there should have been 72 scholars, but it seems that 2 could not make it, because they ended up with 70 scholars, and the translation came to be known as the Septuagint. They translated everything, but the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem became concerned that a gentile was deciding which of the writings were scriptures, and so they made a selection that became the 24 books of the Jewish Torah. The remaining books were left out of the Torah, but were left in the Septuagint. It was centuries later that St. Jerome, on behalf of the Pope, endorsed the Jewish selection, and thus we got our present Old Testament. Incidently, there are 39 books in our Old Testament, as opposed to the 24 books in the Torah. Part of the answer is that the old librarian at Alexandra insisted that the books in his library should not be too large because those old scrolls were too heavy for him, and so he demanded that they be split in two, and hence we have 1st and 2nd Samuel, 1st and 2nd Kings, and 1st and 2nd Chronicles, and part of the answer is that several of the smaller books in the Old Testament are combined onto a single scroll in the Torah.
ALTERNATE: Baruch 5:1-9
This book comes from the Apocrypha. The little book of Baruch was written in Babylon where the exiles who left Jerusalem in 598 BC are supposed to have just heard of the destruction of Jerusalem in 587 BC. The main theme of this book is a confession of the sins of Israel that brought that disaster. In today's lesson Jerusalem (portrayed as a mother) is comforted by the prospect of the destruction of her enemies and a return to Jerusalem of the children of Israel.
December 17, 2000 - Third Sunday of Advent - Zephaniah 3:14-20
This gloomy book was written about 630 BC, at a time when the social conditions in Jerusalem under the detrimental and corrupt reign of the infamous King Manasseh had brought the kingdom to its lowest ebb. It is not surprising that the prophet had little to cheer about, but in today's passage he looks ahead with hope to the future triumph of Israel.
December 24, 2000 - Fourth Sunday of Advent - Micah 5: 2-5a
Micah wrote around 750 to 720 BC, which is about the same time as 1st Isaiah was writing. He came from the small village of Moresheth in the foothills of Judah, and as a country person he distrusted town life, and believed that urban living inevitably brought moral and spiritual disaster. He sees the coming fall of Jerusalem as the hand of God punishing his people for their crimes, especially for the way the wealthy Israelites oppressed the poor, evicting helpless small land holders, and even enslaving innocent children. Micah looks forward to a golden age when the nations will turn to Israel for inspiration. In today's lesson, Micah foretells that a messiah will come out of Bethlehem and that "he shall feed his flock in the strength of the Lord."
General Introduction to Isaiah:
The age of the Prophets from Isaiah to Malachi was about 550 years from about 790BC to about 250BC. The order of appearance in our bible seems to have more to do with size, rather than the date of writing, for the three large books of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel each had a scroll to themselves, whereas the remaining twelve Prophets would all fit on a single scroll. Amos and Hosea were early writers.
It would seem that the first part of Isaiah (Chap. 1 - 39) began shortly after them, and these chapters, often called 1st Isaiah were written about 760 BC to 710 BC, which was before the fall of Jerusalem to the Assyrians, and there are many references to the coming destruction. When Jerusalem fell, many of the young men and some women were exiled to Babylon. In the middle of the book of Isaiah (Chap 40 - 55), often referred to as 2nd Isaiah, the writer speaks of being in captivity in Babylon (eg. see 43:14), which puts the time frame somewhere around 690 BC to 540 BC according to some scholars. Then there is the last part of the book of Isaiah, often referred to as 3rd Isaiah (Chap 56 - 66), which was written at a time after the decedents of the original exiles had been sent back to Jerusalem by Cyrus of Persia after he conquered Babylon in 539 BC. That would put these writings around 540 BC to 450 BC according to some scholars. These chapters have an air of despondency at times, which is not surprising, considering that these people had grown up in beautiful Babylon, and now they were forced to return to a city that was still in ruins.
We might ask how this book could be attributed to one author, considering that it was written over such a long period of time, and therefore must have had several contributors. The answer is that it was the custom of the Hebrew writers to recognize the person who either taught them, or whose legacy they followed faithfully, by attributing their writings not to themselves, but attributing the writings to the original author and teacher/mentor. This form of "corporate identity" is quite foreign to us today, but it once was the customary practice, and we have to just accept that. By the same token, all the "Psalms of David" were not written by David himself, nor were all the Proverbs written by Solomon. If we are to read and understand the Old Testament, we must also merely accept the prevailing social customs and procedures that were in use at the time of the writings.
December 25, 2000 - Christmas - Isaiah 52: 7-10
This joyous passage from 2nd Isaiah, announces how the captives are looking forward with great expectation to the end of their captivity, and their immanent return to Jerusalem. The enthusiasm and verve of this passage are very evident. One literary note: the reference that the "Lord has bared his holy arm" is interpreted to indicate that the Lord has prepared to defend his people, for one would bare one's arm when ready to fight if necessary.
December 31, 2000 - First Sunday After Christmas - 1st Samuel 2: 18-20,26
You may recall that Hannah, one of two wives of a man from the hill country named Elkanah, had no children, but the other wife had children. Then Hannah went to the temple at Shiloh and prayed that she would have a son, and she prayed that if that came to pass, she would give the son to serve the Lord all his days. She prayed and wept so much that Eli, the priest thought she was drunk. Then she did conceive, and bore a son she named Samuel. As soon as the boy was weaned, she took him to the temple and delivered him to Eli, and she sang a song of praise, part of which is our lesson today.
January 7, 2001 - The Baptism of Our Lord - Isaiah 43: 1-7
This passage from 2nd Isaiah, written during the period of captivity in Babylon, there is a clear message that God will love, support, redeem and restore his people. He will be with them in times of danger so they should no be afraid. He will bring back his people from the ends of the earth.
January 14, 2001 - Second Sunday After Epiphany - Isaiah 62: 1-5
This passage from 3rd Isaiah, written when the descendants of the exiles had returned from captivity in Babylon, and were feeling sorry for themselves here in ruined Jerusalem from which their forefathers had been taken generations ago, but which held little for them to be happy about. In today's passage, the writer says that God will keep his promise to Israel, who is depicted as a wife.
January 21, 2001 - Third Sunday After Epiphany - Nehemiah 8: 1-3,5-6,6-10
The writings of Ezra and Nehemiah cover the period after the return of the exiles to Jerusalem. Nehemiah himself reached Palestine in 445 BC. Nehemiah describes hemself as a personal attendant of the Persian king, but one who never forgot the land of his fathers. He got permission and financing from the king to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, despite opposition from various hostile groups such as the Samaritans. The lesson today deals with the reading of the Law by Ezra as part of the plan to reacquaint the returning exiles with their Hebrew roots.
January 28, 2001 - Fourth Sunday After Epiphany - Jeremiah 1: 4-10
Jeremiah wrote during the last 40 years before the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC. It was a difficult period in the history of Judah. Therefore when Jeremiah had a vision calling him to be a prophet, he had doubts about his ability to do that as we can see in the lesson for today.
February 4, 2001 - Fifth Sunday After Epiphany - Isaiah 6: 1-8(9-13)
In this very familiar passage, Isaiah had a vision of heaven in which his guilt was forgiven, and then he answered the call to go out an prophesy. The second part of the lesson today warns that he will not get through to most people.
February 11, 2001 - Sixth Sunday After Epiphany - Jeremiah 17: 5-10
Jeremiah wrote during the difficult last 40 years before the fall of Jerusalem. This little poem follows a passage decrying the sins of Israel. The first part of the lesson speaks of cursing those who trust in mere mortals, while the second part blesses those who trust in the Lord.
February 18, 2001 - Seventh Sunday After Epiphany - Genesis 45: 3-11,15
We all remember the story of Joseph with his coat of many colours, who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, and how Joseph rose to prominence after correctly interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh. Then as the famine came, his father Jacob sent his brothers in search of grain, which Joseph gave them, but told them to bring their youngest brother Benjamin with them next time. Then Benjamin was accused of stealing a gold goblet and was detained, but all the brothers begged Joseph to detain them instead of Benjamin. It was only then that Joseph revealed to his brothers his true identity, and that is the subject of the lesson today.
February 25, 2001 - Last Sunday After Epiphany - Exodus 34: 29-35
When Moses first came down from Mt.Sinai with the two tablets containing the ten commandments, he found his people had built a golden calf to worship, and in anger he threw down the two tablets, breaking them. Then after some time, he went up again and produced a second set of two stone tablets, containing the ten commandments. Our lesson today is about his return on the second occasion, and the people noticed that the skin on his face shone because he had been talking with God.
February 28, 2001 - Ash Wednesday
March 4, 2001 - First Sunday in Lent - Deuteronomy 26: 1-11
The Book of Deuteronomy had been hidden within the walls of the old temple at Jerusalem, presumably because the writers feared reprisals from the corrupt kings of their day. During the repairs to the temple in Jerusalem in 622 BC, this book was discovered, and shown to king, Josiah, who was so impressed by it that he had it read publically in the temple for days. Jesus also referred to this Book of Deuteronomy. It is part of the first five books known as the Pentetuch, even though it is a much later writing than the first four books of the Bible. In keeping with the Hebrew tradition, the unknown scholars who wrote it attributed most of it to Moses, even though Moses had been dead for centuries. The lesson today perscribes that the Hebrews should give part of the first fruits of their harvests to God, and details the ceremony by which that gift should be made.
March 11, 2001 - Second Sunday in Lent - Genesis 15: 1-12,17-18
As Abram approached old age, but had no son to follow him, he agonized with God about his plight, whereupon God promised that he would indeed have a son of his own through his wife Sarai, (their names had yet to be changed by God to Abraham and Sarah). The lesson today gives the details of this conversation with God. In the second part of the lesson, to quell Abram's doubts, God tells him to prepare a sacrifice to seal the covenant between them. The sacrifice consisted of three animals and two birds. We should understand that the traditional ceremony of the day required the animals only to be cut in two, and laid over against each other, and then later in the evening, a smoking pot and a flaming torch is carried between the half carcasses. It is not necessary for us to understand all the fine points of this ceremony, we should know however that the traditional means of sealing a covenant was followed in this case.
March 18, 2001 - Third Sunday in Lent - Isaiah 55: 1-9
This is the concluding chapter of 2nd Isaiah, written during the exile in Babylon. Having prepared the Israelites for the return to Jerusalem, a place which the people being sent back had never seen, as the exile had lasted about 150 years, the writer of the second part of Isaiah concludes with this upbeat hymn of joy and triumph. Several parts of this passage should be very familiar to regular church goers.
March 25, 2001 - Fourth Sunday in Lent - Joshua 5: 9-12
Moses brought the Children of Israel to the border of the Land of Canaan, but when it came to occupying the land, the leadership was turned over to Joshua. While the Book of Judges tells of a relatively peaceful occupation of the land by the Hebrews, the book of Joshua tells us of a conquest. Indeed there was a battle at Jericho, and possibly a few other places. The lesson today deals with the period just before the Battle of Jericho when the army of Joshua was camped at Gilgel where they kept the passover, and ate unlevened cakes.
April 1, 2001 - Fifth Sunday in Lent - Isaiah 42: 16-21
The lesson today comes from 2nd Isaiah, written during the period of captivity in Babylon. The lesson begins with a mention of God leading the "blind". which recalls that God lead Israel safely through the wilderness. Then the writer talks of putting to shame those who trust in carved images - which refers to the Babylonions and those Israelites who have taken to Babylonian ways and are reluctant to go to Jerusalem, a place which they have never seen. The last part of this lesson is addressed to those Israelites who are blind and deaf to God's will, which 2nd Isaiah considers Israels chief sin.
April 8, 2001 - Sunday of the Passion/Palm Sunday - Isaiah 50: 4-9a
This familiar passage from 2nd Isaiah is known as the third of the Suffering Servant Songs which have inspired people for centuries. The Servant conscientiously brings God's comfort to the weary, who treat him badly, yet the Servant expresses unshakable confidence thet God will vindicate him.
April 15, 2001 - Easter Day - Acts 10; 34-43 .................(see also the alternative reading below)
This occasion is very significant for gentiles. You will recall Peter had previously had that vision of animals of all sorts decending on a large sheet, and God chastized him for referring to some of them as "unclean". The next day he was summoned by a centurion naned Cornelius to meet him in Caesarea - in those days one did not question an order of a centurion. The centurion had had a vision in which a man in dazzeling clothes who told him to send for Peter. The lesson today is what Peter had to say to those gentiles present who wished to be baptized.
ALTERNATIVE: Isaiah 65: 17-25
This lesson is from the last section of Isaiah, known as 3rd Isaiah, which was written after the exiles had been sent back from Babylon to Palestine by Cyrus. Many of those who had to return would have preferred to stay in beautiful Babylon, rather than return to this place which was still in ruins. In this passage God promises "new heavens and a new earth" where all will go well.
April 22, 2001 - Second Sunday of Easter (Earth Day) - Acts 5: 27-32
After the Ascention of Jesus into Heaven, and after the Day of Pentecost when all the deciples received the Holy Spirit, the early ministry of the apostles included some very conspicuous healing of sick in the temple. This annoyed the priests, and the apostles were given strict orders not to teach in the name of Jesus, but they ignored the orders and continued as before. Thus Peter and John were arrested, and the next day they were brought before the rulers, elders and scribes assembled in Jerusalem. The lesson today deals with the trial.
April 29, 2001 - Third Sunday of Easter - Acts 9: 1-6 (7-20)
The young scribe Saul had been away from Jerusalem at the time of the trial and crucifiction of Jesus, but he was back to see the stoning of the first martyr, a deacon named Stephen. Saul then got stirred up against the followers of Jesus, and he was actively arresting them. Then he heard that there were more Christians in Damascus, and he got authority to go after them, but as we all know things turned out quite differently for him.
May 6, 2001 - Fourth Sunday of Easter - Acts 9: 46-43
This is the story of Dorcas, a woman noted for her good works. She made clothiong for many needy people in her home town of Joppa. Then she died, and the people sent for Peter. This lesson relates how she was raised forom the dead.
May 13, 2001 - Fifth Sunday of Easter - Acts 11: 1-18
A few weeks ago we read about how Peter baptized the centurion Cornelius, who was a gentile. The lesson today concerns what happened when Peter returned to Jerusalem, and was criticised by the circumcised believers for accepting uncircumcised men. This is the beginning of a serious argument that plagued the first century church, where many believers of Jewish background claimed that you had to be a Jew first before you could become a Christian. St Paul had to deal with this argument throughout his ministry.
May 20, 2001 - Sixth Sunday of Easter - Acts 16: 9-15
During his second misionary journey, for reasons that are no clear form the narrative, Paul and his companions wound up in the out of the way corner of Asia Minor known as Troas (reputedly the site of the ancient city of Troy). There Paul was sick, and a doctor was sent for. It seems that the doctor who attended to him was a young apprentice doctor named Luke. Our lesson today starts at that point.
May 27, 2001 - Seventh Sunday of Easter - Acts 16: 16-34
When the narrative in Acts uses the word "we", it is apparent that the writer, Luke, was present at the time. In this incident Paul heals a slave girl who had a spirit which caused her to cry out. Then her owners had them thrown in jail, but during the night there was and earthquake, and all the prisoners chains were unfastened, but the prisoners did not flee. Then the jailer wanted to be saved.
June 3, 2001 - The Day of Pentecost - Acts 2: 1-21 ................(see also alternative)
The story of the Pentecost is well known and needs no introduction.
- ALTERNATIVE: - Genesis 11: 1-9
This is the parabel of the Tower of Babel, which is stuck into this part of Genesis more or less to conclude the prologue section of Genesis and prepare us for the story of Abram. As a parabel it serves to point out that when mankind becomes too complacent and ignores God, then things tend to go wrong.
June 10, 2001 - Trinity Sunday - First Sunday After Pentecost - Proverbs 8: 1- 4
The Book of Proverbs is the collective work of many writers over many centuries. In keeping with the Hebrew system, the writers all atributed thier work to Soloman, who was supposed to be the most wise man. Thus we have a collection of sayings, each being only a few verses in length, and not necessarily connected to the passages before or after. This part personifies wisdom and praises it.
June 17, 2001 - Second Sunday After Pentecost - 1st Samuel 15: 34 - 16: 13
King Saul of Israel, had been installed as king by Samuel (see Chap 9), but in time he started to stray from the path that he was expected to follow. In this lesson, Samuel must tell Saul that God was displeased, and that Saul would be replaced as king.
June 24, 2001 - Third Sunday After Pentecost - 1st Samuel 17: (1a, 4-11, 19-23) 32-49
This lesson is the well known story of David who as a boy was sent by his father with food for his brothers who were in the army facing the Philistines, whose champion was a big fellow named Goliath. At the end of this lesson David volunteers to fight Goliath hemself.
Summertime Readings omitted including Labour Day Weekend
NOTE: THIS IS AS FAR AS I HAVE GOT TO DATE, PLEASE CHECK IN LATER AS THE SCHEDULED DATES GROW CLOSER, AND I WILL HAVE MORE DONE.
The passages set out below are the passages specified in the lectionary.
September 9, 2001 - Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost - Proverbs 22: 1-2,8-9, 22-23
September 16, 2001 - Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost - Proverbs 1: 20-33
September 23, 2001 - Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost - Proverbs 31: 10-31
September 30, 2001 - Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost - Esther 7: 1-6, 9-10, 9: 20-22
October 7, 2001 - Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost - Job 1:1, 2: 1-10
October 14, 2001 - Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost - Job 23: 1-9, 16-17
H. J. Wilkinson, P.Eng., C.Arb.
c/o Wilkinson Engineering Inc.
1022 Waterdown Road, Unit 7
Burlington, ON L7T 1N3
Email: yoursay@halsays.com
Please Send Me Your Opinion
(Please enter subject as "Old Testament")
You are visitor
number to this page