Category Archive: Jeff Pulse

OT Encounters: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 – The Humble Servant

By Jeff Pulse –

Our text for the second Sunday of the Epiphany is from the first book of Samuel the prophet. The text is I Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), which lays out the Call of Samuel as a prophet of the LORD. It is one of the most detailed of the various Call accounts in the Old Testament. In the Gospel reading for Epiphany 2, John 1:43-51, we have the Call narrative of Philip and Nathaniel. Both the Old Testament and Gospel lessons have a strong “epiphany” flavor as the Word of the LORD is revealed to Samuel and Philip and Nathaniel recognize Jesus as Messiah—The Word Incarnate.

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OT Encounters: 1 Kings 3:4-15 – The Gift of Wisdom

By Jeff Pulse –

The Old Testament text for this Sunday, January 7, 2018, is from the first book of Kings. The text is I Kings 3:4-15, which brings us the familiar story of young King Solomon and his request for wisdom from the LORD God. There are a few things of note which should be mentioned before we begin with the grammar of these verses. First, this account takes place before the building of the Jerusalem Temple (vs. 2; see also chapter 6), so it is not a violation of the Law for Solomon to offer sacrifices at the great high place in Gibeon. Second, it is important to note that the reason the Hebrews offered sacrifices on the high places (or under large trees) was directly connected to their cosmology of the world—heaven was up, Sheol was down, and the earth was between them. So, by going up to the high places they were coming closer to God.

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OT Encounters: Isaiah 61:10-62:3 – Wedding Garments

By Jeff Pulse –

The Old Testament text for this Sunday, December 31, 2017, is from the book of the prophet Isaiah. The text is Isaiah 61:10-62:3, which forms a beautiful portion of the fifth Servant Song in Isaiah. In this periscope, we see a wonderful blending of three prominent motifs from Scripture: the garment motif, the marriage motif, and the garden motif. While this may seem rather confusing at first, the three motifs are artfully woven together here in Isaiah, as well as throughout the Bible.

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OT Encounters: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16: The Lord’s House

By Jeff Pulse –

The Old Testament text for this Sunday, December 24, 2017, is from the second book of Samuel the prophet. The text is II Samuel 7:1-11, 16, which shows King David’s desire and plan to build a house for the LORD and the response the LORD gives through His prophet Nathan. In context, this reading takes place immediately following the return of the Ark of the Covenant to the city of Jerusalem.

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OT Encounters: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 – The Lord’s Favor

By Jeff Pulse –

The Old Testament text for this Sunday, December 17, 2017, is from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. The text is Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, which is a major part of the fifth Servant Song of Isaiah. It is interesting to see that that the speaker of this prophecy in none other than the Anointed One, the One who will rule over the Lord Yahweh’s kingdom: the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The words He uses to describe His reign are familiar ones: Preach to the afflicted; bind up the brokenhearted; liberty for the captives; opening eyes; comfort; and provide for those who mourn. Similar language used to identify the Coming One is found in many of the prophets and is used by Christ Himself in His answer to John the Baptist who sits in prison. We also note similarities to the Second Servant Song in Isaiah 49:7-13.

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OT Encounters: Isaiah 40:1-11, A Voice Cries

By Jeff Pulse –

The Old Testament text for this Sunday, December 10, 2017, is from the book of the prophet Isaiah. The text is Isaiah 40:1-11, which constitutes the beginning of an entirely new section of the prophet’s writings. This section encompasses chapters 40-55 of Isaiah, a section most known for the Suffering Servant prophecies. Most scholars today would agree with the unity of Isaiah, and they would agree that this section speaks to the Babylonian exile. However, conservative Lutherans would also say that these chapters are also eschatological and point to the salvation which will be purchased by the “Suffering Servant” at His first coming and completed at His second Advent. As R. Lessing writes, “Within the book of Isaiah, chapters 40-55 present prophetic instruction concerning the realization of Yahweh’s worldwide plan of salvation. He has heard the cry of His people, and these chapters intend to get them ready for the new exodus so they can come home to Zion.”

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OT Encounters: Isiah 64:1-9, Come Lord Jesus

By Jeff Pulse –

The Old Testament text for this Sunday, December 3, 2017, is from the book of the prophet Isaiah. The text is Isaiah 64:1-9. As we enter the Advent season, there may be no better Old Testament text to point to the longing and anticipation for the coming Messiah. This pericope is a portion of a longer section, often called “Isaiah’s Lament” (63:7-64:12). There is a change in the character of the lament that marks the beginning of our text. The first section (63:7-19a) focuses on complaint, but in 63:19b-64:12 the tone and language are that of petition. Historically, it is interesting to know that 64:1 (English) was a verse consistently used by the Jews during the Holocaust. “Oh that Thou wouldst rend the heavens and come down” was lamented in the midst of the persecutions and atrocities. They understood that only the LORD could save them, and he had promised to do so by coming into the world. For Christians, we find this same sentiment and understanding in the pages of the Revelation of St. John (Rev. 22:20); “Come LORD Jesus!”

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OT Encounters: Ezekiel 34 – The Good Shepherd

By Jeff Pulse –

The Old Testament text for this Sunday, November 26, 2017, comes from the book of the prophet Ezekiel. The text is Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, which is one of the best-known chapters from this book. Chapter 34 begins with a strong admonition against the evil and wicked “shepherds of Israel.” In these verses (1-10), the litany is of all the things these false shepherds do or do not do and how they bring harm to the sheep. This is a frequently used text for ordinations/installations of pastors as it details what NOT to do! Then the chapter moves immediately into our text beginning at vs. 11 as the LORD God declares that He Himself will shepherd His sheep.

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OT Encounters: Zephaniah 1:7-16: The Day of the Lord

By Jeff Pulse –

The Old Testament text for this Sunday, November 19, 2017, comes from the prophet Zephaniah in the Book of the Twelve. The text is Zephaniah 1:7-16, and once again, the “Day of the LORD” is the subject of these verses. As discussed in our text last week from the prophet Amos, the “Day of the LORD” will not be what people are expecting. The “Day of the LORD” expectations varied greatly from group to group and age to age. We see these various ideas addressed in the New Testament as Jesus tells the disciples, “No man knows the hour or the day” of the Day of the LORD, nor do they know what it will look like or what it will mean. Yet, it is being misrepresented and misunderstood by the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the Essenes, etc. Plus, the grassroots, common folk, have their own thoughts and traditions. So it is also at the time of Zephaniah. However, there is an additional complication—first coming or second coming? As we look through these verses, this remains the challenge—first coming or second coming—or is it both? The first verse (vs. 7) certainly begs the question: If the guests are made holy by a sacrifice, and the invitation is to the “marriage feast of the Lamb” (Rev. 19:7), we can see both comings of Christ in these prophetic words.

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OT Encounters: Amos 5:18-24

By Jeff Pulse –

The Old Testament text for this Sunday, November 12, 2017, comes from the prophet Amos in the Book of the Twelve. The text is Amos 5:18-24, which illustrates the common theme in Amos of a complete reversal of what is expected. Thus, The Day of the LORD will not be a bright day, but rather a dark one. This is a result of Israel turning “eschatology into escapism” (R. Lessing; Amos Commentary). Note that this is not unlike the Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus’ day. They had specific expectations concerning the coming of the Messiah which would support and allow them to “escape” their current situation, but Jesus turns these expectations on their head, reversing them. Amos’ “Day of the LORD” language (also found in other prophets) is eschatological language which looks beyond the idea of the restoration of Israel. Finally, we see in this text metaphors that link us intimately into the New Testament and the Messiah. The “darkness” of the Day of the LORD can be connected to the Good Friday darkness that descends at Jesus’ death on the cross, and the water motif in verse 24 connected to justice and righteousness points us to the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.

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OT Encounters: Concerning the Prophets

By Jeff Pulse –

The Old Testament text for this Sunday, November 5, 2017, comes from the prophet Micah in the Book of the Twelve. The text is Micah 3:5-12, which is the end of the first significant “Law” portion of his short book. Micah ends this section with strong judgement against the “prophets” and the “rulers” of Israel. It is important to remember that Micah is a contemporary of the prophet Isaiah as we see many of the same themes and similar language. Some would argue that Micah borrowed from Isaiah; others would say that Isaiah borrowed from Micah. Ultimately, this is neither important nor a problem. Certainly, the LORD is unlikely to give contradictory or competing prophecies toward His One people through two prophets. It comes as no surprise that these contemporaries deliver a similar, consistent message to the people of God.

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OT Encounters: A New Identity

By Jeff Pulse –

The Old Testament text for this Sunday, October 29, 2017, comes from the third book of the Torah, Leviticus. The text is Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18. Verse 2 is frequently considered to be the Old Testament equivalent of Matthew 5:48, where Jesus says: “You must therefore be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Too often, both of these verses are understood in the sense of a mandate, a command. Most English translations lean this way. However, this would indicate that the LORD God has now placed a burden upon His people which they have no hope of fulfilling, and therefore, no hope whatsoever. This is NOT the correct interpretation of Leviticus 19:2, and I would argue, NOT correct for Matthew 5:48 either.

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OT Encounters: The Unlikely Anointed

By Jeff Pulse –

The Old Testament text for this Sunday, October 22, 2017, comes from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. The text is Isaiah 45:1-7 and contains a very unusual, even problematic declaration by the LORD God, Himself; The LORD calls, “Cyrus”, His anointed one. This Cyrus is a reference to “Cyrus the Great” the powerful Persian leader. This reference causes concern on two fronts. For those who struggle with the idea of prophecy and miracles in general, this declaration of the LORD through His prophet Isaiah sends them off the rails. Cyrus has not yet been born—in fact, is several hundred years in the future. It is one thing to give a general prophecy that a nation/power from the East will bless/rescue God’s people; it is quite another to give the precise name of this “one” who is far in the future. For those of us who do NOT struggle with prophecy, miracles, etc. this is not overwhelming in the negative—it is impressive in the positive.

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OT Encounters: This is the Feast!

By Jeff Pulse –

The Old Testament text for this Sunday, October 15, 2017, comes from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. The text is Isaiah 25:6-9 and is a portion of one of the few EXPLICIT resurrection texts in the Old Testament. This is not to say or to indicate that the Hebrews had an undeveloped understanding or concept of resurrection. There are many implicit indications in the Old Testament Scriptures of their resurrection theology. However, the EXPLICIT references are few: Job 19, Isaiah 25 and 26, Ezekiel 37, and Daniel 12. Because this is true, our text for today is of extreme significance to the Old and New Testament people.

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OT Encounters: Good Versus Wild Grapes

By Jeff Pulse –

The Old Testament text for this Sunday, October 8, 2017, comes from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. The text is Isaiah 5:1-7. The first thing to discuss is the location of this text. Exegetes have long pondered why these first five chapters of Isaiah are placed BEFORE the call/sending of Isaiah in chapter 6. Basically, the challenge is to address the issue of prophecies, such as our text, coming before the prophet is appointed. How does that work? Apart from the usual higher-critical mumble jumble that some redactor was prowling around the text, there are some other possibilities.

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OT Encounters: The Desire of God

By Jeff Pulse –

The Old Testament lesson for this Sunday, October 1, 2017, is from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel. The Text is Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32. The text could very well include the entirety of chapter 18 because the overall theme and focus is one. This theme is one of “justification” or “damnation” of the individual. At first blush, this may seem somewhat straight up and academic to us in our theological culture, but to the Hebrew/Jew of this era, it was far from it. They were more used to hearing and speaking in corporate or communal terms. This was not wrong; Israel/Church is one entity, one Bride, etc., and when one person suffers, the whole community suffers. When one person rejoices, all rejoice. However, Ezekiel is quite clear here that this does NOT mean that the sons suffer for the sins of the fathers. In other words, when the father does not believe, this does not condemn the son to perdition, and conversely, the faith of the father does not save the son. This false theology actually came from the pagan cultures around them.

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OT Encounters: God Is Not Like You!

By Jeff Pulse –

The Old Testament Lesson for this Sunday, September 24, 2017, is from the book of the prophet Isaiah. The text is Isaiah 55:6-9, another short text. It is important to pay attention to the location of this pericope within Isaiah. Chapter 55 follows the section of Isaiah we know as the “Suffering Servant Section.” Chapters 52-53 are the fourth Servant Song of Isaiah, with chapter 54 focusing on the “Eternal Covenant of Peace.” In these chapters, the amazingly gracious work of Christ is foretold: “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows . . . pierced for our transgressions . . . crushed . . . the LORD laid on Him the iniquity of us all . . . like a lamb led to the slaughter . . . with everlasting love I will have compassion on you.” So, it would be extremely inappropriate to look at our text as a mandate to get your life in order and find the LORD, or else! Do good stuff and get right with Jesus—time is running out! I wish I could say that no one is captured in this snare, but I cannot.

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OT Encounters: When God uses Evil

 

By Jeff Pulse –

The Old Testament lesson for this Sunday, September 17, 2017, is from Genesis, the first book of the Torah/Pentateuch. The text is Genesis 50:15-21, a short account, but it also contains the ONLY EXPLICIT theological statement in the Joseph narratives (chapters 37-50). This statement in chapter 50 is a condensed version of the same statement as written in chapter 45 and is spoken by Joseph for the same reason. His brothers are convinced that Joseph is going to enact his vengeance upon them for the way they have treated him. All things considered, it is a well-placed fear! In chapter 45, Joseph has finally revealed his identity to his brothers, and because they had sought to kill him earlier, they thought their own demise was at hand. However, Joseph points out to them that it was God who was using all of this. It was God who sent him before them to Egypt to preserve life and to preserve a remnant of the chosen/covenantal people (vs. 4-8).

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OT Encounters: Causing the Watchman

By Jeff Pulse –

The Old Testament Lesson for this Sunday, September 10, 2017, is from the book of the prophet Ezekiel. The text is Ezekiel 33:7-9, a short section that proves to be a pivotal part of Ezekiel. It is helpful to first back up to Ezekiel chapters 2 and 3. You may recall that chapter 2 is the “call” or “sending” of Ezekiel as a prophet to the people of Israel, specifically to those who are in exile in Babylon. There are three (perhaps four) exiles of the Southern Kingdom to Babylon. Ezekiel was taken in the first exile and is called to be a prophet while in Babylon. So, while Ezekiel begins his prophetic ministry, the city of Jerusalem is still standing—but not for much longer.

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