Reading for December 10th

 Read 2 Kings 2.1-12. In 2.1-12: The translation of Elijah. The stories in this chapter fall outside of the standard wording that marks the beginning and ending of the reigns of the kings called regnal formulas (1.17-18; 3.1), which may indicate that they, along with other stories about the prophets, are later additions to the deuteronomistic History. In verse 1: The only other person in the Bible who was taken up to heaven without dying was Enoch (Gen 5.24). In verse 3: The company of prophets, literally "the sons of the prophets," were followers of prophets, perhaps even a guild or school of prophets. They were also aware, perhaps through prophetic agency, that the Lord will take Elijah away. In verse 8: Elijah's mantle is a symbol of his power as a prophet (see 1.8; Zech 13.4), which Elisha will inherit (2.13). His division of the Jordan here is reminiscent of Moses' division of the Red Sea (Ex 14.21-22) and of Joshua's division of the Jordan (Josh 3.13-17). In verse 9: Double share does not mean twice as much as Elijah but the portion of the first born son (Deut 21.17), or two-thirds. In verse 12; Elisha calls Elijah his father out of respect for his teacher, not because there is a blood relationship between them. The chariots of Israel and its horsemen may allude to the image of the Lord as commander of the heavenly armies ("Yahweh sebaoth," "the Lord of host"; see 6.17). Comments or Questions.. 

Reading for December 9th

 Read 2 Kings 1.1-18. In 1.1-18: The death of Ahaziah. In verse 1: This verse anticipates the story in 3.4-27 and may be out of place here. In verse 2: This lattice was decorative, but also functional in the sense of admitting light and air while providing some privacy. It was not strong enough to keep a person from falling, as the story shows. Ahaziah sent messengers to inquire, a technical term for divination. Baalzebub, meaning "lord of the fly," is a deliberate mocking distortion of the name Baal-zebul, "Baal the prince." In verse 3: The Hebrew word for angel also means messenger. In verse 8: A hairy man, literally "a man of hair," may refer to a course garment that was the mantle of the prophets (Zech 13.4). In verses 10, 12: The fire of God from heaven was probably lightning. Comments or Question..

Reading for December 8th

 Read Luke 24.36-53. In 24.36-53: The messiah's final appearance, commission, and departure. In verses 36-37: Luke's story emphasizes both the awesome wonder of Jesus' appearance and the physical reality of his resurrected body (flesh and bones, see 20.34-36). In verse 41; Disbelieving for joy and wondering is more like Mary's faith than Zechariah's doubt at the beginning of the story (1.18-20, 28-28). In verses 42-43: Broiled fish are also mentioned in Jn 21.4-14, and Jesus' witnesses recall eating with him in Acts 10.41. In verses 44-45: The law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms is very inclusive catalog in a time probably before Israel's scriptures were gathered in a single book. In verses 46-48: This saying of Jesus is not literally written in any surviving version of Israel's scriptures. This is the testimony from the scriptures his witnesses are sent to make. In verses 49-52: The promise of the Father is the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to be awaited in Jerusalem (Acts 1.4, 8; 2.33). In verse 53: The temple remains a crucial center for divine activity (1.9; 2.27, 37, 46; 20.1; Acts 3.1; 4.1; 6.13). Comments or Questions..