[Propertalk] Scripture in Context October 30, 2016

[Joe Parrish]

Forwarded: 


TODAY’S READINGS IN CONTEXT
OCTOBER 30, 2016
 
 
 
Isaiah 1:10-18
 
The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from threedistinct periods in Israel’s history. Chapters 1-39 are called “First Isaiah” and were written in the 30 yearsbefore Jerusalem was under direct siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE.  “Second Isaiah” is Chapters 40 to 55 andbrings hope to the Judeans during the time of the Exile in Babylon (587to 539 BCE) by telling them they have suffered enough and will return toJerusalem. “Third Isaiah” is Chapters 56 to 66 and contains encouragement tothe Judeans who returned to Jerusalem after the Exile. Today’s readingis set in the time from 733 to 701 BCE. As a “prophet,” Isaiah does not foretell the future, but instead speaksfor Yahweh to indict Israel for empty forms of worship divorced from socialjustice. The last verse of today’s reading is optimistic, but is conditional onIsrael’s becoming “willing and obedient” (v. 19). 
 
2 Thessalonians1:1-4, 11-12
 
Thessalonica, a port city in northern Greece, was capital ofthe Roman province of Macedonia in the First Century. Paul’s First Letter tothe Thessalonians is the oldest part of the Christian Scriptures and waswritten by Paul before 50 CE, about 20 years before the first Gospel (Mark) waswritten.  A principal theme of both 1 and2 Thessalonians is the return of the Lord Jesus in the end time. In 2Thessalonians, however, there is an emphasis on living in the present and warningsabout forgeries of Paul’s writings.  Forthese reasons, many scholars conclude that 2 Thessalonians was written by oneof Paul’s disciples after Paul’s death in 64 CE.  
 
In today’s reading, the salutation is identical to 1Thessalonians, followed by a thanksgiving for the faith of the community and a referenceto “persecutions and afflictions” (v.4). The omitted verses (5 -10) assert that God will afflict the persecutorsand work vengeance on those who do not obey the gospel of the Lord Jesus.  Today’s reading concludes with a prayer thatGod will make the people worthy of God’s call so that the Lord Jesus will beglorified in the believers’ lives.  



-----Original Message-----
From: Tom O'Brien <tgobrien at comcast.net>
To: Tom O'Brien <tgobrien at comcast.net>
Sent: Fri, Oct 14, 2016 9:49 am
Subject: Scripture in Context October 30, 2016




Dear Friends, 
 
Attached is Scripture in Context for October 30, 2016.    I hope you and others find it helpful.  
 
Because we are going to be traveling from October 16 to October 26, I’ll try to send you the Scripture in Context offering for 11/6 before we get on the road from CT to FL.  
 
I’ll send the Scripture in Context for November 13 to you before October 31.  
 
There will be two different Scripture in Context offerings for November 6, 2016 because some congregations will celebrate All Saints Day on that day and others will observe the 25th Sunday after Pentecost.  You should choose (use) the one that applies to your tradition.  
 
Prior Scripture in Context offerings back to July 2016 can be found at www.scriptureincontext.org 
 
Blessings, 
 
Tom 





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