Fifth Sunday of Lent (Cycle A)

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The Raising of Lazarus Lectionary:  34 Reading 1 -  Ezekiel 37:12-14 Responsorial Psalm -  Psalm 130:1-8 Reading 2 -  Romans 8:8-11 Verse - John 11:25a, 26 Gospel -  John 11:1-45 Lazarus, come out! LESSON: The Power of God Through Those Who Believe We’re a week away from the start of Holy Week. Our Lord now has his sights set on Jerusalem, and the pace is quickening. In these next two weeks, we’re living just one part of the Gospel passage from today: an encounter with the reality of suffering and death. Jesus is asking us to have faith in him. In today’s First Reading the prophet Ezekiel reminds us of the Lord’s promise to not only to bring us back to life but to bring us home. The background of this passage is the famous "Valley of Dry Bones." The people of Israel were in exile in Babylon. They weren't just sad; they were spiritually and nationally "dead." Their common saying was: "Our bones are dried up, our hope is lost, and we are cut off." They d...
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Review: Isaiah

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Isaiah Isaiah by J Gordon McConville

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Part of the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament (BCOT), this book presents a commentary on the book of Isaiah as found in the Christian Old Testament (OT) that targets students of the Bible for the purposes of teaching or preaching. In other words, there is an obvious christological lens by which the author conducts his exegesis. The Introduction provides the original context of the text, including scope, related history, general structure, authorship, language & translation challenges, and related theology. Within each part are chapters that almost correspond 1 to 1 with chapters in Isaiah. Each chapter (64+) has an Overview before a discussion about translation and interpretation that walks through each pericope before it finishes with a theological reflection. 

In total you get nearly 800 pages of insight into one of the most influential books of the Old Testament with regards to Christianity. It is also detailed and large enough to make it difficult to read straight through; however, you still get a lot if you just read the overviews and reflections before coming back to the translation and interpretations sections for a deeper understanding. However, this is Not an academic book focused on engaging scholars and theologians; so you will find the analysis written in language more accessible to students providing just enough depth to support the viewpoint presented (so there really isn’t much exploration of contemporary debate or controversy). Over all, this is a great book to have to unlock a better understanding of the Christian New Testament.

Introduction
Part One: Yahweh’s Vision for a Renewed Jerusalem (1:1 - 12:6)
Part Two: Oracles about the Nations (13:1 - 27:13)
Part Three: True and False Trust (28:1 - 35:10)
Part Four: A Miraculous Deliverance of Jerusalem (36:1 - 39:8)
Part Five: Cyrus, the Servant, and the Redemption of Zion/Jerusalem (40:1 - 55:13)
Part Six: The True Character of Glorified Zion/Jerusalem (56:1 - 66:24)

I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

#Isaiah #NetGalley

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