Old Testament

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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