THE BIBLE - TODAY’S TREASURE HUNT
COMMENT FOR PENTECOST 15 17-09-06
Proverbs 1: 20-33
“Lady Wisdom is personified as divine being – that part of God’s being that relates to the world.” (WLW 16-09-06, p,20)
As the sixth century ended thoughtful people were reflecting on the exile experience. The poet here argues that people should choose wisdom and live within God’s love, mercy and blessing. It is too late to seek wisdom once a calamity has come.
Psalm 19
This Psalm combines two separate poems: the wonder of creation and the glory of Torah-the Law. Together these two parts come right out of the covenant community. The spiritual power of the creator is like the silent power of the sun, which can be understood in God’s law – Torah. The worshipper then, unable to conceal anything, prays a simple prayer.
James 3:1-12
James was concerned that Christian groups united by their love of Christ were still made up of people who once were strangers or social enemies. He is anxious that their ordinary conversation should be used to cheer and encourage. So he takes a rather dark view of the damage thoughtless remarks or gossip can do to the life of the Christian community. This is an excellent principle, and such practical wisdom can also be applied to the general community.
Mark 8:27-38
Mark sees this event as crucial in the ministry of Jesus. In the synagogues Jesus was considered a great prophet. But the disciples believed he was the long expected Messiah who would establish for the nation a King David type new order of peace and independence. Mark does not mention what the temptations were for Jesus (Mk 1:12-13) but he is clearly tempted now. Was Jesus to follow the role set for him through Hebrew history, or does he become God-with-us for the human race and suffer the fate of being human?
A not unrelated question: Would you recognise “An Inconvenient Truth” if you saw it?
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This is a page from our website www.mosmanuniting.org/html/17_Sep_2006 On the webpage you can click on the heading of each passage to see the bible text. |
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