Reading for February 28th

 Read Isaiah 5.26-30. This key prophetic declaration shows how clearly how judgment will fall upon the land of Israel and Judah and that, although a foreign nation will bring about devastation, the voice of God has summoned it. The image of God acting against Israel by raising a signal for the nation far away becomes a repeated theme showing how God' acts to control human destiny (see 11.10-12; 49.22). Although in this pronouncement the identity of the distant nation is not revealed, one quickly discovers that it is Assyria (see 7.17; 8.4). Comments or Questions...

Reading for February 27th

 Read Isaiah 5.8-25. In verses 8-24: The conduct of the ruling classes in Jerusalem involved greed, manipulation of justice, violence, and dishonesty. Divine judgment is therefore necessary. The concluding part of this indictment many occur in 10.1-3, with 5.25 correspondingly misplaced from 9.8-21. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 26th

 Read Isaiah 5.1-7. In 5.1-30: The song of the vineyard. In verses 1-7: The parable of an unfruitful vineyard is an apparently unremarkable story whose full meaning only becomes clear when the storyteller reveals that he is describing Israel and Judah. The verdict of v. 6 is valid also for this larger meaning: The land must soon suffer utter devastation and ruin. This is the theme-message which underlies all the prophecies of chs. 5-12 (see especially 6.11-13). The parable is made more complex by the opening address in which the speaker declares: Let me sing for my beloved my love-song. As a "friend of the injured vine owner, the speaker is an interested onlooker or perhaps the owner's supporter at a feasts. In this case, the claim to present a love-song suggest that the story will be about a disappointed lover (see the use of vineyard imagery for courtship in Song 8.11-12). In v. 7 The vineyard represents both Israel and Judah. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 25th

 Read Isaiah 4.2-6. In 4.2-6: The glory of the new Jerusalem. In verses 5-6: Judgment is the necessary path to the rewal of hope and to the dawning of a time of justice and world peace. Hence, the opening chapters conclude with the vision of a chastened and glorified Jerusalem in which the presence of God will be evident everywhere (vv. 5-6). The visionary presentation is filled with symbolic word pictures in which the title the branch of the Lord (v. 2) refers to the new Davidic king (compare 11.1). As God had led the ancestors of the nation through the desert (see Ex 13.21-22), so now the same presence would indicate the protection and blessing of the favored city. The picture of shade and shelter (v. 6) counter the warnings of the sufferings and trials in 3.1-4.1. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 24th

 Read Isaiah 3.13-4.1. In 3.13-4.1: The Lord's case against the people. The reasons for Judah's misfortunes are detailed in a lawsuit which God is bringing against the people. In verses 15-16: Oppression of the poor and women who indulge in absurd luxury are outward signs of spiritual sickness. Accordingly, God's punishment will fit the offense (v. 24): the horrors of warfare will reduce many of the women who had so pampered themselves to a state of destitution (3.25-4.1). Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 23rd

 Read Isaiah 3.1-12. In 3.1-4.1 Confusion in Judah and Jerusalem. In verses 1-8: The city and land will suffer famine and lose of their natural resources, bringing confusion and panic. There will be no capable judges and elders (vv. 1-5), bringing economic and social chaos (v. 6) with the breakdown of law and order. The broader context indicates that this is the consequence of oppressive foreign invasions and interference (see chs. 5-12). In verses 9-12: The readers of that time would know, only too well, the ruined state of Judah and its chief city. Disobedience and indifference to the Lord God had brought such misfortune upon them. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 22nd

 Read Isaiah 2.5- 22. In verses 5-11: Seeking commercial prosperity and success, neglected its spiritual foundations. On that day (v. 11) point to an indefinite time of God's judgment and comes to refer to the great judgement and renewal for Judah and all the nations (see Isa 25.9). In verses 12-22: The prophet depicts God's punishment of human pride through the image of bringing down natural features such as tall trees and high mountains (vv. 12-15). Arrogance is the root of idolatry (vv. 19-20), the belief that human beings can control the divine realm. The day of the Lord (v. 11) now points to God's judgment against human violence and disregard of the divine laws. The ships of Tarshish (v. 16) were the famed ships of the maritime nations of the Mediterranean. In Gen 10.4 Tarshish is a great-grandson of Noah, but several biblical references to it as a place point to its fame as a source of trade, especially trade in precious metals. It is often located in the southwestern Spain, but probably more than one site where mining and metal-refining took place bore such a name. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 21st

 Read Isaiah 2.1- 4. In 2.1-22: Jerusalem: Its destiny and wrongdoing. In verses 1-4: From the time of David's adoption of the city as his capital, Jerusalem had been celebrated as the place to which many nations paid homage and brought tribute (Ps 2.2-11). This memorable prophecy reinterprets this theme, giving divine assurance that the city will become a center from which God's law will be administered among the nations (the city's name is related to the Hebrew word for peace, "shalom" peace, God's purpose for all nations (v. 4), can only come when there is justice. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 20th

 Read Isaiah 1.21-31. As a royal city, Jerusalem was a center for the administration of justice over which the king resided. the failure to uphold such justice allowed the most serious crimes to go unpunished. God would therefore have to take action, not only against the criminal wrongdoers, but also against those whose indifference encouraged evil deeds. In verse 29: The oaks were simple rustic shrines, devoted to fertility and the gods and goddesses who believed to guarantee life-giving power. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 19th

 Read Isaiah 1.10-20. Criticism of the Temple rituals and prayers show that without justice and compassion their are meaningless to God, who ignores them. Comments or Questions....

Reading for February 18th

 Read Isaiah 1.1-9. In 1.1-20: The ruin and desolation of Jerusalem and the land of Judah. In verses 1-9: The portrayal of the desolation of the land and the isolated situation of Jerusalem probably refers to the events of 701 BCE in which the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, laid siege to the city (see 36.1-37.38). Such attacks were repeated in later times and hence provide a context for the whole book. The prophet's rebuke shows how the people's own wrong doing brought about their misfortunes. In verse 8: The booth and shelter in vineyard and field were watchmen's huts set up to protect the vines and crops. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 17th

 Read Ephesians 6.21-24. In 6.21-24: Epistolary closing. In verse 21: Tychicus, 4.7; 2 Tim 4.12; Titus 3.12; Acts 20.4-6. In verse 22: Col 4.8. Comments or Questions.

Reading for February 16th

 Read Ephesians 6.10-20. In 6.10-20: A call to arms and prayer for strength to proclaim truth.  In verse 14: Ephesians 4.25. In verse 17: Helmet of salvation, Isa 59.17. The sword of the Spirit,the word of God, the only offensive weapon. In verses 18-20: On the importance of prayer throughout Ephesians, see 1.15-23; 3.14-21. In verse 20: The ambassador is an envoy sent on behalf of another. Chains suggest dishonor. Yet the writer accepts the title and only asks for boldness. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 15th

 Read Ephesians 5.15-6.9. In 5.15-6.9: Strengthening believers. Contrasts 5.15-18 clarify the believers' walk, they are strengthened through worship with others (5.18-20) and mutual submission (5.21-6.9). In 5.20: On continous thanks, see 1 Thess 5.18; Col 3.17. In 5.21-6.9: Household codes governed social relations within an extended family. See Col 3.18-4.1. Ephesians expands on relations between husband and wife. In verse 22-23: Col 3. 18-19. For the writer, the unity of the husband and wife, unlike the unity of Jews and gentiles does not result in equality. In 6.1-4: Col 3.20-21. In Verse 3: Deut 5.16. In verses 5-9: Col 3.22-4.1. Comments or Questions.. 

Reading for February 14th

 Read 5.3-14. In 5.3-14: Believers as children of the light. In verses 3-7: Paul (Gal 5.19-21; 1 Cor 6.9-10) uses the vice list, here expressing the former life of darkness (5.8). In verses 8-14: Live (walk) as children of the light (1 Thess 5.5) to influence the world through the church's character. In verse 14: The hymn's origin is unknown, it recalls Isa 60.1. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 13th

 Read Ephesians 4.17-5.2. In 4.17-5.2: Old  and new walks. (See 2.1-10). The new walk, which avoids the walk of the gentiles (4.17a) with its futility, vices, opposition to instruction (4.17b-24), has practical implications (4.25-5.1). In verse 17: Affirm and testify, a pleonasm (deliberate repetition) drawn from legal language. In verse 20: Learned ... heard ... taught, instructions preceding baptism. In verses 22-24: Put away, clothe yourselves with the new self, baptismal terms. In verses 25-26: Speak the truth, Zec 8-16; be angry and sin not, Ps 4.4. In 5.1-12: Imitators of God, never used by Paul, though he speaks of imitating Christ (1 Cor11.1), himself (1 Thess 1.6; Phil 3.17) or others (Phil 3.17). Comments or Questions.

Reading for February 12th

 

ETHICAL EXHORTATIONS

In 4.1-6.20: This section contains exhortations to unity and full stature in Christ, admonitions against vice, encouragements to worship, and even household rules, in order to participate in the love of Christ. Much of this material is also in Col 3.1-4.6. 

Read Ephesians 4.1-16. In 4.1-16: Maintain Unity. Unity comes from the spirit (vv. 1-6) and the diversity of gifts of the Spirit brings the church to maturity (vv. 7-16). In verse 1: Calling , see 1.18; 2.11. In verse 2: Patience, literally, the ability to endure the pressure of heat. In verses 7-10: Ps 68.18 explains the origin (Christ) and the goal (Christ's filling) of Christian gifts. In verses 11-16: The gifts are essential for the church to reach maturity (contrasted with immaturity). Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 11th

 Read Ephesians 3.1-21. In 3.1-21: Paul's imprisonment and ministry. In verse 1: The prayer (vv. 1, 14-21) is interrupted by vv. 2-13 (see Col 1.23-27) clarifying Paul's work on behalf of gentiles. On Paul as prisoner, see 2 Cor 6.5; 11.23; Philem 1.9; Phil 1.13-14. In verse 2: Commission, a management or stewardship position. In verse 3: As I wrote above, uncertain, but possibly the mission to the gentiles (2.11-12) or Christ's revelation (1.9-10). In verse10: The church manifests the wisdom of God's plan of reconciliation. In verse 14-21: The prayer resumes in a single sentence (vv. 14-19) and closes with a doxology (vv. 20-21). In verse 14: A play on father (patera") and family ("patria"). In verses 16-19: The goal is the fullness of God by way of the love of Christ. In verses 20-21: The doxology recalls the emphasis on power and abundance ( 1.19-20; 2.7). Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 10th

 Read Ephesians 2.11-22. In verses 11-22: Jews and gentiles are reconciled to God in the body of Christ. In verse 12: Aliens, those without knowledge (Col 1.21). In verse 13: The far off ... brought near (also 2.17), possibly drawn from Isa 57.19. In verse 14: Dividing wall, possibly the temple barrier separating the court of the gentiles from the parts of the Temple open only to Jews. In verse 18: Access, the right of approach, as if to a king (3.12). In verse 19; Household of God: For the patriarchal writer, God is father over the social relations in the believer's family (1.3, 17; 2.18; 3.14; 4.6; 5.20; 6.23). In verse 20: Paul speaks of Christ as a foundation (1 Cor 3.10-15), but not apostles and prophets. Cornerstone or keystone, a messianic term (Isa 28.16, perhaps Ps 118.21-23). Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 9th

 Read Ephesians 2.1-10. In 2.1-22: God's reconciling grace. God saves humankind from enemy powers and Christ ends the enmity between Jews and gentiles. In verses 1-10: Contrast between past walk (vv. 1-3) and present walk (vv. 4-10). In verse 2: Lived, literally "walked," connects the former walk (2.2) and the new way of walking in 2.10 (see 4.1, 17; 5.2, 8, 15). Ruler of the power of the air, Satan (4.27; 6.11-12). In verse 3: Flesh, fleshly disposition. In verses 5-6: By grace you have been saved, similar to Paul's language elsewhere, but never views the resurrection of the believers as a present reality. In verse 10: The good works that the community does are possible because God has created them in Christ. The life they lead is the way (literally "walk," v. 1). God has made it possible. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 8th

 Read Ephesians 1.15-23. In 1.15-23: A thanksgiving. In verse 18: Heart, the seat of knowledge and understanding. because of the hope to which he has called you, the church must live out its, calling, as described in 4.1-3. In verses 20-22: At the right hand, the most honored position (Col 3-1); under his feet, a sign of victory, both quoted from Ps 110. In verse 22: Christ as head of the church (Col 1.18) is not found in the undisputed Pauline letters, which speak of local churches, not the universal church. Comments or Questions.