It took a year to read the Bible, then almost 9 months to read the Apocrypha. Now, I'm going to try to offer reflections on the Narrative Lectionary. But, I won't be posting daily--at least, for a while.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Words for People Who Have Lost Everything, Reflection on Jeremiah 28:5-9

One prophet, Hananiah, says, "Everything is going to be all right. God will fix it" (28:1-4). The other, Jeremiah, says, "May it be so, but remember what other prophets have said, how they have spoken of war, famine, and pestilence" (28:5-8).

Jeremiah, at the time of this confrontation, is wearing a yoke to demonstrate God's command to him that the people of Judah were supposed to capitulate to Babylon. "Anyone that tells you that the temple will be restored are liars," he had preached (27:1-22).

When is it appropriate to preach optimistically? When is it not?

Which prophet's words seem more in line with the suggested Psalm 89?

Do you agree with the decision of the lectionary preparers to connect this passage with Matthew 10:40-42?

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