Sunday, Nov 6, 2016: “Today’s Scripture Readings”

 

Old Testament: Daniel (7:1-3, 15-18)

 

In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in bed. Then he wrote down the dream: I, Daniel, saw in my vision by night the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea, and four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another.  As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me, and the visions of my head terrified me. I approached one of the attendants to ask him the truth concerning all this. So he said that he would disclose to me the interpretation of the matter: “As for these four great beasts, four kings shall arise out of the earth. But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever—forever and ever.”

 

  • All Saints Day has been celebrated since the 8th century.
  • It is halfway between autumn and winter.
  • In the Christian church, Daniel is considered a prophet.
  • In the Jewish church he is considered  a holy writer.
  • The four beasts are representative of the four countries in power at that time.
  • Symbol of myth – describes a certain reality.
  • Daniel describes how God will overcome those who have been oppressing others.

 

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The Response: Psalm 149

 

1  Hallelujah!

    Sing to the Lord a new song; *

    sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful.

2  Let Israel rejoice in his Maker; *

    let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

3  Let them praise his Name in the dance; *

    let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.

4  For the Lord takes pleasure in his people *

    and adorns the poor with victory.

5  Let the faithful rejoice in triumph; *

    let them be joyful on their beds.

6  Let the praises of God be in their throat *

    and a two-edged sword in their hand;

7  To wreak vengeance on the nations *

     and punishment on the peoples;

8  To bind their kings in chains *

    and their nobles with links of iron;

9  To inflict on them the judgment  decreed; *

    this is glory for all his faithful people.

Hallelujah!

 

  • Psalm 149 is also known as one of the “Hallelujah Psalms.”
  • It is divided into two sections:  verses 1-4 and verses 5-9.
  • They exhibit a call to praise followed by a reason for the praising.
  • God delivers victory like in the Daniel reading.

 

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The Epistle: Ephesians (1:11-23)

 

In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.  I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

 

  • These verses are from a liturgical setting, like a long prayer.
  • It focuses on God’s victory in Jesus and in the saints of God.
  • It was written most likely by one or more of Paul’s followers after he died.

 

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The Gospel: Luke (6:20-31)

 

(Jesus) looked up at his disciples and said:

 

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

 

“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.

 

“Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

 

“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.

 

“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.

 

 “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.

 

“Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

 

“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

 

  • There are two versions of the beatitudes… Luke’s and Matthew’s.
  • Luke’s version can be thought more like “sermon on the plain.”
  • Matthew has Jesus in a role more like Moses.
  • The beatitude using blessed or fortunate theme can also be found in Psalms.
  • In Luke, Jesus is parallel to Elijah or Elisha – two of the great prophets.
  • Luke also has a list of “woes,” which is a theme of reversals.
  • Luke’s version is much more straightforward and direct compared to Mathew’s.
  • Loving your enemy was unique in Luke’s version of Jesus’ ministry.
  • The Golden Rule is found in multiple places in the Bible and in other scripts in the ancient world.

 

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