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2017, February 12 ~ Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Sirach 15:15-20 & 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

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Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Deuteronomy is the fifth (and last) book of the Torah and is presented as Moses’ final speech to the Israelites just before they enter the Promised Land. The word “Deuteronomy” comes from Greek words that mean “Second Law.” The book is structured as a “restatement’ of the laws in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. Although there were revisions to Deuteronomy as late as the 5th Century BCE, the bulk of the book is generally dated to the 7th Century BCE.

It is also the first book of the “Deuteronomic History” – a didactic history of Ancient Israel from the time in the Wilderness to the Babylonian Exile (589 BCE) and includes the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings.

In today’s reading, the Deuteronomic authors portray the covenant with YHWH as conditional. If the people (and particularly the king) love the LORD and “walk in his ways” (v.16), good things will happen for them. But if they “turn away” by worshiping other gods, they will perish. Their choice was whether to “choose life” or not (v. 19).

The Revised Common Lectionary for today offers a choice between Sirach and 1 Corinthians.

Sirach 15:15-20

The Book of Sirach is not included in the Jewish version of the Hebrew Bible, but is included in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox versions of the Hebrew Bible. Protestants place Sirach in a separate section of the Bible called the “Apocrypha” (which means “hidden books”). The book is known by the name of its author, and its full title is “The Wisdom of Jesus, son of Sirach.” It was written around 180 BCE, during a time when the Seleucids (from Syria) were ruling Judea and trying to impose Greek gods upon the Judeans. Ben Sira describes himself as a “scribe” (a person of learning).

In today’s reading, Sirach reiterates the theme of Deuteronomy 30 that the Jewish people must choose whether to obey the commandments or not. Consistent with today’s reading from Deuteronomy, the choice is between life and death (v.17).

1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Corinth, a large port city in Greece, was among the early Jesus Follower communities that Paul founded. Its culture was Hellenistic and emphasized reason and secular wisdom. In addition to Paul, other Jesus Followers also taught in Corinth, sometimes in ways inconsistent with Paul’s understandings of what it means to be a Jesus Follower. This led to contentions among the Corinthians.

Today’s reading continues Paul’s argument to the Corinthians. He asserts that he cannot speak to them as “spiritual people” and they need to be fed spiritual “baby food” because they are “still of the flesh” (exhibiting “human inclinations” by quarreling and being jealous). Growth in faith comes from God, not particular teachers, including Paul and Apollos.

2016, October 23 ~ Sirach 35:12-17 or Jeremiah 14:7-10,19-22 & 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18

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Track 2 of the Revised Common Lectionary offers a choice between Sirach and Jeremiah.

Sirach 35:12-17

The Book of Sirach is not included in the Jewish version of the Hebrew Bible, but is included in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox versions of the Hebrew Bible. Protestants place Sirach in a separate section of the Bible called the “Apocrypha” (which means “hidden books”). The book is known by the name of its author, and its full title is “The Wisdom of Jesus, son of Sirach.” In the Roman Catholic tradition, the book is known as “Ecclesiasticus” (“the Church’s book”). It was written around 180 BCE, during a time when the Seleucids (from Syria) were ruling Judea and trying to impose Greek gods upon the Judeans. Ben Sira describes himself as a “scribe” (which means a person of learning). The Prologue to Sirach contains the first reference in Jewish Literature to “the Law, the Prophesies, and the rest of the books” – the division of the Hebrew Bible into three parts. The book primarily consists of “traditional” advice to young men in the Jewish community, consistent with advice to young men contained in the Book of Proverbs.

Today’s reading is part of a chapter in which Sirach urges sincere and cheerful generosity to the Most High (i.e. at the Temple) advising that the Lord will repay sevenfold (v. 13) and will listen to the prayers of those who have been wronged (v. 16).

Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22

Most Bible scholars agree that the Book of Jeremiah underwent substantial revisions between the time of Jeremiah (627 – 587 BCE) and the First Century. Many of the sections in the book that are in “poetry style” are attributed to the prophet himself, and parts in “prose style” were added later. Today’s reading is in “poetry style.” It is a lament that confesses Judea’s sins, bemoans the absence of Yahweh, recognizes the destruction of Judea at the hands of the Babylonians, and prays that Yahweh (who controls everything) will save or restore the Judeans.

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

The Letters to Timothy and Titus are called “Pastoral Letters” because they concern the internal life, governance and behavior of the early Christian churches and their members. Most scholars agree they were written in the early Second Century in Paul’s name by some of his followers (Paul died in 64 CE). Writing something in someone else’s name was a common practice in the First and Second Centuries.

2 Timothy is more personal than 1 Timothy. In today’s reading from the last chapter of the letter, “Paul” reflects on his impending death and praises the Lord for the strength to proclaim the Gospel. The reference to the “lion’s mouth” (v. 17) recalls Daniel in the lion’s den.

2016, August 28 ~ Sirach 10:12-18 & Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

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Sirach 10:12-18

The Book of Sirach is not included in the Jewish version of the Hebrew Bible, but is included in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox versions of the Hebrew Bible. Protestants place Sirach in a separate section of the Bible called the “Apocrypha” (which means “hidden books”). The book is known by the name of its author, and its full title is “The Wisdom of Jesus, son of Sirach.” In the Roman Catholic tradition, the book is known as “Ecclesiasticus” (“the Church’s book”). It was written around 180 BCE, during a time when the Seleucids (from Syria) were ruling Judea and trying to impose Greek gods upon the Judeans. Ben Sira describes himself as a “scribe” (which means a person of learning). The Prologue to Sirach contains the first reference in Jewish Literature to “the Law, the Prophesies, and the rest of the books” – the division of the Hebrew Bible into three parts. The book primarily consists of “traditional” advice to young men in the Jewish community, consistent with the advice to young men contained in the Book of Proverbs. In today’s reading, Sirach states that human pride and sin lead to retribution by the Lord – a view consistent with Deuteronomy’s over-all theme that if you do good, good things will happen, but if you do bad things (such as worship false gods), bad things will happen.

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

The Letter to the Hebrews is an anonymous sermon addressed to Jewish and Gentile Jesus Followers which urges them to maintain their Faith in the face of persecution. Most scholars agree it was written after Paul’s death in 62 CE. Today’s reading is from the last chapter of the Letter and exhorts his listeners to show mutual love and hospitality (referring to Abraham’s entertaining angels/God at Mamre). As the reading concludes, the author tells his listeners to praise God and do good deeds.