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The Ninevites as the Model of Repentance
In today’s Old Testament reading from Jonah 3, we find the Ninevites as the model of repentance. Check out the perfect pattern of repentance here: When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in the ashes. Then he had this…
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"Old Salts" in Jonah 1.5
In most English translations of the Bible, one of the words in Jonah 1.5 is usually translated as “sailors” or “mariners” (NRSV, ESV, NJPS, NASB, and others). I can remember discussing this in my very first Biblical Hebrew class under Charles Isbell at Lousiana State University. He uses the Book of Jonah (minus the poetry…
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Why Did Jonah Flee to Tarshish?
If you’ve read the lectionary reading for today, you know it is from Jonah 1. To give a little background, it is helpful to know a little about Tarshish. According to the Bible Background Commentary on the Old Testament: Tarshish was the farthest known geographical point. While its exact location is unknown, most believe it…
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Is the Heart Always Wicked?
Nope, at least not according to the Old Testament. Sometimes it is upright. I was looking at the Old Testament lectionary reading for the day. It is Baruch 1.15-22 (that’s in the Deuterocanonical books for you non-Catholics). The reading is very self-deprecating and very exaggerated, though surely the Israelites were wicked enough. “From the time…
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Blenkinsopp Introduction to Ezra-Nehemiah
The entire introduction from Blenkinsopp’s commentary on Ezra-Nehemiah is available for free through limited preview at Google Books. Even though you cannot view the entire commentary the introduction alone is very helpful. Check it out HERE.
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Psalm 137 – Rivers of Babylon
Today’s responsorial Psalm is Psalm 137. Here’s a YouTube video of my favorite version of “Rivers of Babylon,” which was inspired by this Psalm. It is a cover by Sublime and may not be what some people are accustomed to when thinking about this Psalm. Enjoy!
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"An Ancient of Days" or "The Ancient of Days": Does it Really Matter?
The Old Testament lectionary reading today is from Daniel 7. This is probably one of the most interesting chapters in the entire Bible, but the lectionary reading is only a part of it. Do yourself a favor and go back and read the part about the beasts. My blog is not really a place to…
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Haggai 1.2 – The Historical Context
“The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.” These are the words that are placed in the mouths of the people of Israel in Haggai 1.2. So, what’s the big deal? What many do not realize is that the people have been back in the land for nearly twenty years. …
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Haggai Introductions
Today’s Old Testament reading is from Haggai. And, when I am reading and studying a passage one of my favorite things to do is go over to Google Books and see what Commentaries I can read for free in limited previews. Sometimes I can view really good commentaries for passages that I am studying, though…
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Ezra 9-10 – The Context of Today's Reading Makes it a Tough One
Today’s lectionary reading is definitely part of one of my least favorite Old Testament passages. If you heard the passage from the lectionary you probably would wonder why. The reading is Ezra 9.5-9, which reads as follows: At the time of the evening sacrifice, I, Ezra, rose in my wretchedness, and with cloak and mantle…