A Lamp for Today

We read Acts 1:15-26, understanding Peter’s instruction in the light of Joshua 18:10, 1 Kingdoms/Samuel 10:20–21, 1 Chronicles 24:5, 25:8, Psalms LXX 68, 108 (MT 69, 109), Proverbs 16:33, Luke 24:3, 1 Cor 8:6, and 2 Peter 1:16-20. Especially important is how the apostle directs the praying community to look to the Old Testament for light upon their understanding of the LORD Jesus and what God is doing in their midst.

Encouraged by our father St. John Chrysostom, we begin a close look at the Acts of the Apostles, especially at how it uses the Old Testament to illumine its narratives and its teaching. In episode one, we read Acts 1:1-14, understanding it through the promise of the prophets regarding the kingdom or rule of God, and the triumph of the Son of Man in Daniel 7. Our God does wonders!

The final episode in this short series on Isaiah’s Lenten readings shows Isaiah 40-66 to be foundational for key New Testament passages such as Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 20:28, 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Galatians 3:13-15. Of special importance is God’s Suffering Servant, a role fulfilled by Jesus, the God-Man.

This week we read Isaiah 8-39, noticing important themes, and God’s actions of wrath and mercy. We also delight in the special glimpses of God’s future complete salvation, initiated through the Child, and fulfilled in the new land where all is glory and light.

Passages from the beginning to the end of the book of the prophet Isaiah are prescribed for us in the lectionary all through Great Lent. We introduce Isaiah and probe four matching themes in chapters 1-7, seeing their connection with Paul’s letters in particular, where he deals with the human problem and God’s remedies for it.

This week we complete our reading of the Nativity stories by adding Matthew’s account (Matt 1:1-2:18), and seeing its important connections to Genesis 35:19-20, Jeremiah 31:15-16, Isaiah 7:14, Hosea 11:1, and Micah 5:2. Matthew deliberately quotes and alludes to the Old Testament to show how Jesus recapitulates the story of humankind and of Israel, putting us right with God.

This week, just following the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple, we read Luke 2:21-52, with the help of Isaiah 42-52, Hebrews 5, and several Church Fathers. What does it mean to talk about the obedience and growth of God Incarnate? How do these stories of Jesus’ childhood encourage and instruct us?

We read Luke 2:1-20, seeing the birth of Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s work among the Jewish people, the story of David, and the human story as a whole. God the creator cares about our world, about time and space, and comes to dwell with us in this fragile context. We are especially helped by fathers who marvel concerning Luke’s attention to detail, and God’s great compassion.

Today we look at Luke 1:57-80, the story of John’s birth, circumcision, and the surrounding joy. We understand this deep passage in the light of Isaiah 54:1, Isaiah 9:2 and Psalm LXX 17/MT18:1-3.

In this episode, we read Luke 1:39-56, noting its link with Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel 2, and David’s joy in the Ark’s homecoming in 2 Samuel 6. The blessing, humility, and perspective of the Theotokos on what constitutes true might is a perfect complement to our preparation for the Nativity.

This week we consider the annunciation of Jesus in Luke 1:26-38, noticing its parallels and contrasts with the announcement of John the Baptist’s coming, and understanding it through reference to some church Fathers, Gen 18, Ezekiel 8, Haggai 1, 2 Sam 7, and Isaiah 29:22. Luke uses his artistry and deep understanding of the Old Testament to show the link between the God-Man and his cousin John, and to put Jesus luminously in the spotlight.

This week we consider the announcement of the Forerunner to Zechariah in Luke 1:13-25, understanding Gabriel’s promise in the light of Judges 13; 1 Kings/3 Kingdoms 17-18; 2 Kings/4 Kingdoms 2:81-15; Malachi 4:5-6/LXX 3:22-23. This first glimmering of the good news, recalling the greats of the Old Testament, prepares for all that God plan to do in the ministry of Jesus.

We begin our series on the stories of the Nativity and their connection to the Old Testament by considering Luke 1:1-8 in the light of Luke 24, 2 Peter 1:19, Amos 9:11, Gen 18, 1 Sam/1 Kingdoms 1, Exodus 37, and 2 Chr. 26:18. Luke signals in his opening verses the deep continuity between the story of Israel and the story of Jesus, both in revealing his intent as an author, and in echoing parts of the Old Testament.

This week we complete our series on the Readable Books by looking at 4 Ezra (2 Esdras 3-14), and reading its central visionary episode in the light of Luke 9:28ff; Isaiah 65:17-25; Rev 12; Rev 21; and 2 Cor 3. We learn, with “Ezra,” that suffering is not futile, but can be transformed into glory by God, who ruled as the King of Glory from the cross. The next episode in two weeks will begin a new series, called “Light from the Old Testament Upon the Nativity.”

The relatively unknown book of 1 Esdras (1 Ezra in the Orthodox Study Bible) commends itself to us through the fathers’ attention to its central episode, 1 Esdras 3:1-5:6 (OSB 1 Ezra). In reading the young man Zerubbabel’s discourse concerning the power of women and the victory of truth, we are helped by referring to 1 Corinthians 13, Proverbs 31, Psalm 119 [118 LXX]:160, Matthew 19:5, and Matthew 24:3. God uses the domestic and ordinary things of this world to raise us up to the truths and graces that are divine.

We read the contrite Prayer of Manasseh in the light of Ezra 9, Nehemiah 9, Psalm 51, and 1 Chronicles 21:14-15. We then move on to consider how it is that we as Christians must forgive, and the relationship of repentance to forgiveness, with the help of Matthew 6:9-15, Luke 23:34, Acts 7:60, Romans 5:8, and Ephesian 4:32.

We look at this “extra” signature Psalm of David, alongside his story in 1 Samuel/1 Kingdoms 17, and with reference to 1 Corinthians 1:22-27. In these we find a particular Christian theme, connected with the triumph of the Holy Cross: God uses what we consider weak in order to bring about His mighty deeds!

We read 4 Maccabees, a book on the very edge of the canon, in the light of what St. Gregory Nazianzen says, as well as in light of Hebrews 11, Acts 22, and Revelation 12. In it are poignant examples of martyrdom, and strong encouragement to not be ruled by our passions.

We read the fascinating book confusingly called 3 Maccabees (which is mostly about Jews in Egypt BEFORE the time of the Maccabees) in the light of Exodus 15, Daniel 3, Daniel 6, Esther, and Jonah 2. God is not confined to the Temple, but comes to the aid of His people everywhere when they pray.

In this episode we consider the stories of Jonathan and Simon, finishing our study of 1 Maccabees (1 Maccabees 9:24-16:24), and then turn to the stories of martyrdom in 2 Maccabees 7. Our readings are clarified by passages from the Old Testament (1 Kings/3 Kingdoms 5:4, Micah 4:4, Zechariah 8:4, and Ezekiel 34:27) as well as from the New Testament (Hebrews 12; Romans 4:17). Intertwined narratives of war and peace on the grand scale, and personal martyrdom with the hope of resurrection, offer encouragement to us to remain faithful in our own day.

We read the exciting saga of 1 Maccabees 3:1-9:22, understanding Judas Maccabeus’ role in the light of 1 Samuel/2 Kingdoms 17, and Psalm 100 (MT 101). His example of joy, encouragement, and fortitude continue to speak to us in our day, with our own challenges and conflicts.

We read the exciting chapter 2 of 1 Maccabees, comparing it to the story of Phinehas in Numbers 25:7-9, as well as in the light of Psalm 106: 26-28 and Hebrews 11. The problem of violence done by biblical heroes is considered, as well as the faithfulness and courage of Mattathias, the father of the Maccabean brothers.

We consider the importance of history and human chronicles to our faith, beginning our exploration of 1 Maccabees, with its first chapter. In this we note its embeddedness in the flow of history, its connections with Daniel, Hebrews, and 1 Corinthians, and its challenges to us today.

The Epistle of Jeremiah (found sometimes as Baruch 6) is illumined by reference to Matthew 6:21, Numbers 21:4-9, 4 Kingdoms/2 Kings 18:4, Jeremiah 2:13, 1 Corinthians 8 and 10, Philippians 3:18-19, and Colossians 3:5. We apply the prophet’s words regarding idolatry of man-made things to present day idolatries of various sorts, and also consider how icons are meant to point us to the living God, not to distract us from the One who alone is good.

In this episode we read the concluding consolation of Baruch 4:9-5:9, understanding it in the light of Isaiah 60:14, Isaiah 61:1-4, 9-10, 2 Tim 4:8, and Rev 21:1-4, 22-26. Here the prophet turns from confession to joy, anticipating the glory which God will bestow upon His people, seen in part now, but fully in the age to come.

We read the central portion of Baruch (3:9-4:8), understanding its mysterious words about Wisdom in light of Deuteronomy 3:11-14, Romans 10:5-13, 1 Cor 1:30-31. The prophet saw Wisdom in the Law, but also glimpsed the time when Wisdom would visit us as a human being, the LORD Jesus Himself.

Baruch 2-3, the honest confession of the exiled people before God, is a very helpful reading for our time of Lenten repentance, and is clarified by reference to Dan 9:7-19, Deuteronomy 28:15-69, Deuteronomy 30, Jeremiah 24:1-10 and 2 Chronicles 6:12-42.

Why should we pray for secular leaders? Hear about this and also about the importance corporate confession from Baruch 1, with light from Romans 13, Daniel 9, and 1 Timothy 2.

This week we read the lengthy commemorative poem of “the fathers” in Sirach 44-50, comparing it with Wisdom of Solomon 10 and Hebrews 11, and understanding it by reference to other books in both the OT and the NT. Here we discover both the respect and realism of Sirach, as he remembers the great figures of the past, and see how the LORD used these for the benefit of all His people, until He came to be with us in the God-Man, and imparted His glory to all who believe, through the Holy Spirit.

In this episode we concentrate upon Sirach’s treatment of Lady Wisdom in chapters 24 and 51, noticing significant links with the Psalms and prophets, with Jesus’ own invitation to learn from Him, with Paul, and with the book of Revelation. The free offering of Wisdom and the mystery associated with it are both fulfilled in Christ.

In this episode, we consider the overall richness of the Wisdom of Sirach, and then zero in on the Prologue, with chapters 1-2, seeing their major themes of wisdom and fear of the LORD, and helped in this by considering Job 38-40, Proverbs 9, James 1-3, and Ephesians 1-4.

We read the third and final section of Wisdom of Solomon (chapters 10-19), in which we hear of Wisdom’s journeys with the Hebrew people, the power of the Word of God who joins earth and heaven, and the ever-present strength of the Holy Spirit to guide us on our journey. The section is clarified by reference especially to Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 15.

This week we consider the central section of the Wisdom of Solomon, where Wisdom is pictured for us as a radiant woman, who both seeks us and is to be sought above all things. With the help of Romans 1 and 10-11, John 1, Hebrews 1, and various Church fathers, we understand her as pointing forward to the Son and the Holy Spirit, who make us friends of God.

In this episode we read the first section of Wisdom of Solomon (chapters 1-6), and understand its connection of righteousness and wisdom by means of Proverbs 8:8-18, 1 Cor 1:30-31, and the humble death of the God-Man for our sake.

We consider the exciting and curious book of Judith, paying attention to its genre, and its connections with the stories of Miriam, Jael (Judges 4), Rebecca (Gen 27), Tamar (Gen 38), Naomi and Ruth, and a passage about wisdom in 1 Corinthians. Judith gives us a pattern for humility and courage, even while we may have Christian questions regarding this story.

In this second reading of Tobit, we see its connection with Amos 8:10, Daniel 3:51-90, Revelation 21:18-21, and notice how the prophecies and prayers of the book both accompany its action, and speak in times of distress today.

This week we do an overview of the delightful story of Tobit, concentrating on its supporting characters, and stressing God’s unexpected provisions for us on the natural level.

In this episode we read Esther 3:13a-g, 5:1-13 LXX, and 8:12a-I, considering the royal decrees of the king, the dramatic scene where Esther enters his presence without invitation, and the misinformation about the Jewish people which he finally rejects. We are helped in seeing the significance of these fascinating scenes by recourse to Psalm 85/6, Phil 2:5-11, and 1 Timothy 2:1-2

In this episode, we read Esther 4: 4:17a-x, which contains the remarkable prayers of Mordecai and Esther. We see these in the context of salvation history by reference to Psalm 1, Psalm 150-151, Daniel 3:2-45; 2 Kings/4 Kingdoms 19:14-19, Nehemiah 1:5-11, and the instruction of ancient theologians.

This week we consider the structure of LXX Esther in general, and hone in on its introductory and concluding vision and Interpretation (,Esther 1:1a-1l; 10:3a-3k) which put the agency of God front and center for us to praise! We are helped by considering parallels and differences with Job 40-41; Daniel 1, 7-8, Luke 1:46-55, Rev. 12, and Psalm 15 LXX/16MT: 5-7.

This week we read the three episodes of Bel and the Dragon (found at the end of the book of Daniel), appreciating the story’s ancient pedigree, its humor, and its sharp reminder to worship God alone. We are helped by comparing its words to Jeremiah 50:2 (LXX 27:2), Jeremiah 51:44 (LXX 28:44), Habakkuk 2:4, and 1 Cor 10:19-20.

This week we read the story of Susanna, found either in the prologue of Daniel or Daniel 13 (dependent upon the version used). Susanna is an excellent example of the charms and depth of the Readable Books, adding to doctrine and morals an appreciation for the domestic life and the spunkiness of its heroine, whose story is here analyzed with reference to Daniel 3:17-18, Romans 4, and Psalm 3:1-4.

In this episode, we enter into Daniel 3:51-90, in which the three youths give voice to the whole of creation, which praises God. We also wonder at the appearance of the glorious Man, who prefigures the humility and love of our Lord, descending to the depths to save us from death and sin ( 1 Peter 3:18-20). Listeners are encouraged to read the entire song, which is prominent in our Paschal liturgy and has been sung for centuries by the Church.

We read the rest of Azariah’s prayer, followed by a short narrative, found in Daniel 3:37-50, with the help of Psalm 50/51 and Ezra (in the OSB, 2 Ezra) 8:71-87. Azariah’s utter honesty and trust in the philanthropic LORD leads to God’s answer—His presence with them in the furnace, as Azariah and his friends offer the fruit of their lips.

In this first episode of the series, we consider the Readable Books (aka Deuterocanonical, Apocryphal) in general, and how they are esteemed by Orthodox, and then read the poignant prayer of Azariah (Daniel 3:25-36), seeing it in the light of Genesis 15, Psalm 79, Romans 3:4, and Rev 16:7.

In this final episode on the “Light from the Psalter,” we consider see how Psalm 1’s righteous man is fulfilled in the final three Psalms, where humanity leads the praises of creation, bringing together the God-given faculties of reason, sub-creativity, and worship. We are helped by Genesis 1-2, Isaiah 6, and Revelation 4-5, and by l fathers. In two week’s time, we will begin a new series “Light From (and Upon) the Readable Books,” in which we will consider the significance of those Old Testament books that are ignored or even rejected by some.

This week we read Psalm 50 (MT 51) in the light of 2 Kingdoms/2 Samuel 11-12 and Romans 5:12-17. This famous confession leads us to explore what some consider poetical theological hyperbole, and the question of ancestral sin.

This week we read the “Polyleos” Psalms 134 and 135 (MT 135 and 136), rejoicing in the mercy of God. WE seek to plumb their depths by reference to Numbers 21:21-35, Isaiah 44:9-21, Jeremiah 10:1-16, Romans 1:18-23, and several helpful commentators, both ancient and contemporary.

We finish this study of the Orthros Ascent Songs by reading Psalm 131-133 (LXX)/132-134 (MT) in the light of Holy Week, 2 Samuel (2 Kingdoms) 6-7, and several Church Fathers. Our final scene is that of harmony with Christian brothers and sisters from every tribe and nation, and peace with God, as we bless His name in the heavenly sanctuary.

We read the tone four Antiphons, alongside Psalms 128-130 (MT 129-131), as illumined by Isaiah 42:6-7, 1 Peter 4:12-14, and St. John Cassian. Here is wise instruction on humility and God’s willingness to illumine those who keep their eyes on Him.