Third Sunday in Advent, Year C, Guadete
The playlist of songs and hymns for this week is available on YouTube.
The Winnower by Jean-François Millet, circa 1847-1848, National Gallery. This is a representation of winnowing out the chaff as mentioned in Luke 3:17.
Luke 3:7-20
CSB
He then said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don’t start saying to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” “What then should we do?” the crowds were asking him. He replied to them, “The one who has two shirts must share with someone who has none, and the one who has food must do the same.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He told them, “Don’t collect any more than what you have been authorized.” Some soldiers also questioned him, “What should we do?” He said to them, “Don’t take money from anyone by force or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.” Now the people were waiting expectantly, and all of them were questioning in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I am is coming. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing shovel is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with fire that never goes out.” Then, along with many other exhortations, he proclaimed good news to the people. But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the evil things he had done, Herod added this to everything else — he locked up John in prison.
Who wrote Luke: This book and its sequel Acts are traditionally attributed to Luke, the companion of Paul (Sha'ul), as mentioned in Philemon 24, Colossians 4:14, and 2 Timothy 4:11. Luke is believed to have been a physician. He was either a Gentile or a Hellenized Jew (with the Latin name Lucanus and Greek name Loukas) which can be determined from comparing 2 Colossians 4:10–11 with 2 Colossians 4:14. Luke does display a good knowledge of Hebrew customs in Luke-Acts, but he also displays a thorough knowledge of Greek and Roman culture and literature. The verbs in Acts change to first-person plural starting in Acts 16:10, so it's reasonable to assume that Luke and Paul met in Troas (modern-day northwestern Turkey) and then began to travel together.
Who Luke was written to: Theophilus; some people think that this might be Theophilus ben Ananus (the Jewish high priest from 37-41 CE/AD) or Mattathias ben Theophilus (the Jewish high priest at the beginning of the First Jewish–Roman War, which began in 66 CE/AD) or it could be someone else, as this name was common as a given name or title. Another possibility is that it was written for the use of Paul's lawyer for his trial in Rome. "Most Honorable" was a specific political title bestowed by the Roman government.
When Luke was written: Acts ends before the martyrdom of Paul (between 64-68 CE/AD) and Luke was written before Acts
The purpose of the book of Luke: to give an orderly account of Jesus so that the reader could know the certainty of the things that he had been taught (Luke 1:3-4). A common theme is rejection by the religious elite.
Things I noticed:
When Luke was written: Acts ends before the martyrdom of Paul (between 64-68 CE/AD) and Luke was written before Acts
The purpose of the book of Luke: to give an orderly account of Jesus so that the reader could know the certainty of the things that he had been taught (Luke 1:3-4). A common theme is rejection by the religious elite.
Things I noticed:
7. He then said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, Brood of vipers: The ancient author Nicander said that baby vipers ate their way out of their mothers; accusing someone of being a viper's brood (meaning offspring) was tantamount to saying that person committed matricide. See also Genesis 3:15, Psalm 58:3-5, Isaiah 59:3-8, Matthew 3:7-10, Matthew 12:34, Matthew 23:33, John 8:44, Acts 13:10, 1 John 3:8
Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath: Snakes are smart enough to flee from a fire, if they can move faster than the fire. See also Isaiah 13:9, Jeremiah 36:3, Jeremiah 48:6, Ezekiel 7:19, Romans 1:18, Romans 5:9, 1 Thessalonians 1:10
8. Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance: see also Proverbs 11:30-31, Isaiah 1:16-18, Isaiah 5:2, Isaiah 27:6, Ezekiel 18:27-31, Hosea 10:1, Hosea 10:12-13, Hosea 14:7-8, Matthew 3:8-9, Acts 26:20, 2 Corinthians 7:10-11, Galatians 5:22-24, Ephesians 4:28, Philippians 1:11, Hebrews 6:7-8
And don’t start saying to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father: see also Luke 13:28-29, Luke 16:23-31, Isaiah 48:1-2, Jeremiah 7:4-10, Ezekiel 33:24, John 8:33, Romans 4:16, Romans 9:7
for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones: The God who created the first human from the dirt could also create humans from rocks. Stones were used as a representation of the 12 tribes of Israel multiple times. There also could be a pun happening in Aramaic between the words for children (benayya) and stones (abnayya). See also Luke 19:40, Exodus 28:9-12, Joshua 4:3-8, Joshua 4:20-21, 1 Kings 18:31, Matthew 8:11-12, Matthew 21:43, Galatians 3:28-29
9. The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire: see also Luke 13:7-9, Luke 23:29-31, Isaiah 10:18-19, Isaiah 10:33-34, Jeremiah 11:16, Ezekiel 15:2-8, Ezekiel 31:2-18, Daniel 4:14, Daniel 4:23, Amos 2:9, Malachi 3:2, Matthew 3:10, Matthew 7:19, Matthew 12:33, Matthew 21:19, John 15:6, Hebrews 12:29
10. What then should we do? the crowds were asking him: see also Acts 2:37, Acts 9:6, Acts 16:30
11. He replied to them, The one who has two shirts must share with someone who has none, and the one who has food must do the same: see also Luke 9:3, Luke 11:41, Luke 18:22, Luke 19:8, Job 31:19-22, Isaiah 58:7-11, Ezekiel 18:5-9, Daniel 4:27, Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 10:9-10, Matthew 14:16, Matthew 25:31-46, Mark 14:5-8, John 13:29, Acts 10:2-4, Acts 10:31, 2 Corinthians 8:3-14, Ephesians 4:28, 1 Timothy 6:18, Hebrews 6:10, James 1:27, James 2:15-26, 1 John 3:17, 1 John 4:20
12. Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they asked him, Teacher, what should we do: see also Luke 7:29, Luke 15:1-2, Luke 18:13, Matthew 21:31-32
13. He told them, Don’t collect any more than what you have been authorized:
"One may not make change from the chest of an excise collector or from the wallet of tax collectors, or take any charity from them. But it may be taken from them at their own house or in the market." Mishnah Bava Kamma 10:1
"It is taught in a baraita: The Sages further added the following to the list of those disqualified from bearing witness: The shepherds, who shepherd their animals in the fields of others and are therefore considered like robbers; the collectors of government taxes, who collect more than the amount that people are legally liable to pay; and the customs officials, who collect customs in an illegal manner. The Gemara explains: Shepherds were not disqualified at first, as the Sages initially assumed it was merely incidental that they would let their animals graze in the fields of others. When they realized that they would intentionally send the animals to the fields of others from the outset, the Sages issued a decree that they are disqualified from bearing witness. The collectors of taxes and the customs officials were not disqualified at first, as the Sages initially assumed they would take the set amount they were instructed to take. When they realized that these officials were taking more than that, they disqualified them." Sanhedrin 25b:15-16
"Concerning tax-collectors, confiscators, extortioners and collectors of customs, Scripture declares, Thy riches, and thy wares, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the exchangers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, with all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the heart of the seas in the day of thy ruin." [Ezekiel 27:27] Tractate Derekh Eretz Rabbah 2:11
Tax collectors often collected more money than the government required and then pocketed the extra. See also Luke 18:25, Luke 19:8, Exodus 20:15, Leviticus 19:13, Leviticus 25:14, Deuteronomy 24:17, Nehemiah 5:10, Psalm 18:23, Proverbs 28:13, Isaiah 1:16-17, Isaiah 33:15, Isaiah 55:6-7, Ezekiel 18:21-22, Ezekiel 18:27-28, Ezekiel 22:12, Micah 6:8, Matthew 7:12, Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25, 1 Corinthians 6:10, Ephesians 4:28, Titus 2:11-12, Hebrews 12:1
14. Some soldiers also questioned him, What should we do: see also Matthew 8:5, Acts 10:7
He said to them, Don’t take money from anyone by force: see also Exodus 20:15, Deuteronomy 23:9, Ezekiel 45:9, Romans 13:9-10, Philippians 2:15
or false accusation: see also Luke 19:8, Exodus 20:16, Exodus 23:1, Exodus 23:7, Leviticus 19:11, Titus 2:3, Revelation 12:10
and be satisfied with your wages: There were Roman soldiers stationed in Caesarea and Jerusalem, but the main legions were stationed in Syria. Jews were exempted from military service due especially to their dietary laws, but I suspect also for being more rebellious than the average conquered people group. If soldiers were going to see John the Baptist, it is highly likely that they were Gentiles. See also Luke 18:25, Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25, Philippians 4:11, 1 Timothy 6:6-10, Hebrews 13:5-6
15. Now the people were waiting expectantly: see also John 10:24
and all of them were questioning in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah: see also John 1:19-28, John 3:28-29
16. John answered them all, I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I am is coming. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals: the Midrash says the following about Jewish indentured servants: It was the job of a Gentile slave to untie sandals. See also Luke 7:6-7, Luke 7:28, Deuteronomy 25:9, Matthew 3:6, Matthew 3:11-14, Matthew 8:8, Matthew 11:11, Mark 1:7-8, John 1:15, John 1:26-27, John 1:30, John 1:33, John 3:28-31, John 13:6, Acts 1:5, Acts 11:16, Acts 13:24-25, Acts 19:4-6
It is, therefore, written (Leviticus 25:39) "Do not have him work the service of a slave" — whence they ruled: He should not wash his feet or tie his sandals or carry his clothing to the bath-house or gird his loins for an ascent or carry him in a litter or in a chair or in a sedan-chair, as slaves do. Whence is this derived? From (Ibid. 46) "And in your brothers, the children of Israel, one may not lord it over another." But with his son and his disciple, it is permitted. Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael 21:2:6
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit: see also Luke 24:49, Proverbs 1:23, Isaiah 32:15, Isaiah 44:3-4, Ezekiel 36:25-27, Ezekiel 39:29, Joel 2:28-29, Zechariah 12:10, John 7:38-39, Acts 1:5, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:33, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:44-47, Acts 11:15-16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Titus 3:5-6
and fire: see also Isaiah 4:4, Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 3:2-3, Acts 2:1-4, Acts 2:17-18
17. His winnowing shovel is in his hand to clear his threshing floor:
"I gathered you as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But now, what shall I do to you? I will cast you out from my presence. When you offer oblations to me, I will turn my face from you; for I have rejected your festal days, and new moons, and circumcisions of the flesh. I sent you my servants the prophets, but you have taken and killed them and torn their bodies in pieces; I will require their blood of you, says the Lord." 2 Esdras 1:30-32 NRSVA
Most Westerners are far removed from the farm, making the word chaff meaningless; winnowing is the process of removing the lightweight chaff (hulls and stems) from grain. This is depicted in 3 paintings above. See also Psalm 1:4, Isaiah 41:16, Jeremiah 4:11-12, Jeremiah 15:7, Jeremiah 51:33, Joel 3:12-14, Matthew 3:12
and gather the wheat into his barn: see also Micah 4:12, Matthew 13:30
but the chaff he will burn with fire that never goes out: see also 2 Kings 9:7, Job 21:18, Psalm 1:4, Psalm 21:9-10, Psalm 35:5, Isaiah 5:24, Isaiah 17:13, Isaiah 26:11, Isaiah 29:5, Isaiah 33:11, Isaiah 41:15, Isaiah 65:15, Isaiah 66:24, Jeremiah 4:4, Jeremiah 13:24, Jeremiah 15:14, Lamentations 2:3, Daniel 2:35, Hosea 13:3, Amos 8:6, Zephaniah 2:2, Malachi 3:2, Matthew 3:12, Mark 9:43-49
18. Then, along with many other exhortations, he proclaimed good news to the people: What is the Good News? You can discover exactly what the Good News is in Isaiah 40:9-11, Isaiah 52:7, Isaiah 61:1-3, Matthew 4:23-24, Matthew 9:35, Matthew 11:4-6, Matthew 24:14, Mark 1:14-15, Luke 1:19, Luke 2:10, Luke 4:16-21, Luke 4:43, Luke 7:21-23, Luke 8:1, Luke 16:16, Acts 5:42, Acts 8:12, Acts 10:36, Acts 13:32, Acts 14:15, Acts 17:18, Acts 20:24, Ephesians 2:17, and Ephesians 6:15. From these verses we see that the Good News is of the establishment of God's Kingdom through Jesus being the Messiah, which brings peace, salvation, comfort, vengeance, rewards through the proclamation of God's favor to the poor but not the rich (Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25, and Luke 18:25). The proclamation of the Good News must be accompanied by healing and setting prisoners free. The reason why the many other exhortations are not included is that ancient people didn't have our modern ink pens that last for miles of ink and inexpensive, readily obtained paper or even shorthand; all speeches had to be summarized. See also John 1:15, John 1:29, John 1:34, John 3:29-36, Acts 2:40
19. But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the evil things he had done: Herod (HEHR-uhd) Antipas was tetrarch (TET-rahrk) of Judea between 4 BCE and 39 CE; he was the son of Herod the Great. A tetrarch is a client king in service to a greater king or emperor. Herodias (hih-ROH-di-uhs) was the niece of Herod and Antipas and had previously been married to Herod Philip I, the half-brother of Herod Antipas. She had gotten a divorce from Herod Philip I while Herod Antipas had gotten a divorce from his first wife and these two divorcees got married. This marriage was scandalous due to the multiple incest factors plus the divorces. Herod Antipas' divorce from his first wife led to border wars with the Nabateans because his first wife was the daughter of the Nabatean king. See also Leviticus 18:16, Proverbs 9:7-8, Proverbs 15:12, Matthew 11:2, Matthew 14:3-4, Mark 6:17-18, Ephesians 5:11
20. Herod added this to everything else — he locked up John in prison: see also Luke 13:31-34, 1 Kings 13:4, 1 Kings 22:27, 2 Kings 21:16, 2 Kings 24:4, 2 Chronicles 16:10, 2 Chronicles 18:26, 2 Chronicles 24:17-22, 2 Chronicles 36:16, Nehemiah 9:26, Jeremiah 2:30, Jeremiah 38:6, Matthew 4:12, Matthew 14:3, Matthew 17:12, Matthew 21:35-41, Matthew 22:6-7, Matthew 23:31-33, Mark 1:14, Mark 6:17, Mark 9:13, John 3:24, 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16, Revelation 16:6
The literary structure of this passage is available here.
Zephaniah 3:14-20
CSB
Sing for joy, Daughter Zion;
shout loudly, Israel!
Be glad and celebrate with all your heart,
Daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has removed your punishment;
he has turned back your enemy.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is among you;
you need no longer fear harm.
On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not fear;
Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.
The Lord your God is among you,
a warrior who saves.
He will rejoice over you with gladness.
He will be quiet in his love.
He will delight in you with singing.”
I will gather those who have been driven
from the appointed festivals;
they will be a tribute from you
and a reproach on her.
Yes, at that time
I will deal with all who oppress you.
I will save the lame and gather the outcasts;
I will make those who were disgraced
throughout the earth
receive praise and fame.
At that time I will bring you back,
yes, at the time I will gather you.
I will give you fame and praise
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes before your eyes.
The Lord has spoken.
Who wrote Zephaniah: attributed to Tzefanyah (Zephaniah), the great-great-grandson of King Hizkiyahu (Hezekiah)
Who Zephaniah was written to: the Jews living in Jerusalem and the southern kingdom of Judah
When Zephaniah was written: probably right before the reforms instituted by King Yoshiyahu (Josiah) in 622 or 621 BCE; this book could have been the catalyst for the religious reforms
The purpose of the book of Zephaniah: to encourage people to repent so that their enemies would face judgment
Things I noticed:
Who Zephaniah was written to: the Jews living in Jerusalem and the southern kingdom of Judah
When Zephaniah was written: probably right before the reforms instituted by King Yoshiyahu (Josiah) in 622 or 621 BCE; this book could have been the catalyst for the religious reforms
The purpose of the book of Zephaniah: to encourage people to repent so that their enemies would face judgment
Things I noticed:
14. Sing for joy, Daughter Zion; shout loudly, Israel: Zion (ZIGH-uhn) was originally the name of a hill in Jerusalem but through synecdoche came to represent Jerusalem and then all of Israel. See also Ezra 3:11-13, Nehemiah 12:43, Psalm 14:7, Psalm 27:6, Psalm 35:27, Psalm 47:1, Psalm 47:5-7, Psalm 81:1-3, Psalm 92:4, Psalm 95:1-2, Psalm 97:8, Psalm 97:12, Psalm 98:4, Psalm 100:1-2, Psalm 108:3, Psalm 126:2-3, Psalm 132:9, Psalm 138:5, Song of Songs 1:4, Isaiah 12:6, Isaiah 24:14-16, Isaiah 25:9, Isaiah 35:2, Isaiah 37:22, Isaiah 40:9, Isaiah 42:10-12, Isaiah 51:3, Isaiah 51:11, Isaiah 52:9, Isaiah 54:1, Isaiah 65:13-14, Isaiah 65:18-19, Jeremiah 30:19, Jeremiah 31:7, Jeremiah 31:13, Jeremiah 33:11, Lamentations 1:6, Joel 2:23, Zechariah 2:10-11, Zechariah 9:9-10, Zechariah 9:15-17, Zechariah 10:7, Matthew 21:5, Matthew 21:9, Luke 1:47, Luke 2:10-14, Revelation 19:1-6
Be glad and celebrate with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem: Daughter Zion and Daughter Jerusalem are personifications of the city as a young girl. See also 2 Kings 19:21, Isaiah 37:22, Lamentations 2:13-15, Micah 4:8, Zechariah 9:9-10, Acts 3:19, Philippians 3:1
15. The Lord has removed your punishment: see also Genesis 30:23, Psalm 85:3 below, Isaiah 25:8, Isaiah 40:1-2, Isaiah 51:22, Micah 7:18-20, Zechariah 1:14-16, Zechariah 8:13-15, Zechariah 10:6-7, Acts 1:6
he has turned back your enemy: see also Psalm 27:6, Isaiah 13, Isaiah 14, Isaiah 25:10, Jeremiah 50, Jeremiah 51, Micah 7:10, Micah 7:16-17, Habakkuk 2:8, Habakkuk 2:17, Zechariah 2:8-9, Zechariah 12:3, Luke 1:71, Luke 1:74, Romans 8:33-34, Revelation 12:10
The King of Israel, the Lord: see also Psalm 24:7-10, Psalm 47, Isaiah 33:22, Ezekiel 37:24-25, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:5, Matthew 25:34, Mark 15:32, John 1:49, John 12:13-15, John 18:33, John 19:19, Revelation 19:16
is among you: see also verse 17 below, Zephaniah 3:5, Psalm 46:5, Isaiah 12:6, Ezekiel 37:26-28, Ezekiel 48:35, Hosea 11:9, Joel 3:20-21, Zechariah 2:10, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Revelation 7:15, Revelation 21:3-4
you need no longer fear harm: see also Isaiah 35:10, Isaiah 51:22, Isaiah 52:9, Isaiah 60:18, Isaiah 65:19, Jeremiah 30:10, Ezekiel 39:29, Joel 3:17, Amos 9:15, Zechariah 1:17, Zechariah 14:11
16. On that day it will be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear: see also Isaiah 35:3-4, Isaiah 40:9, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 41:13-14, Isaiah 43:1-2, Isaiah 44:2, Isaiah 54:4, Jeremiah 30:10, Jeremiah 46:27-28, Joel 2:21, Haggai 2:4-5, Zechariah 8:15, John 12:12, John 12:15, Hebrews 12:12
Zion, do not let your hands grow weak: see also 2 Corinthians 4:1, Galatians 6:9, Ephesians 3:13, 2 Thessalonians 3:13, Hebrews 12:3-5, Revelation 2:3
17. The Lord your God is among you: see also verse 15 above
a warrior who saves: see also Genesis 17:1, Genesis 18:14, Deuteronomy 7:8, Psalm 24:8-10, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 12:6, Isaiah 35:4, Isaiah 45:21, Isaiah 63:12, Jeremiah 30:10, Hebrews 7:25
He will rejoice over you with gladness: see also Numbers 14:8, Deuteronomy 28:63, Deuteronomy 30:9, Psalm 104:31, Psalm 147:11, Psalm 149:4, Isaiah 62:4-5, Isaiah 65:19, Jeremiah 32:41, Matthew 18:13, Luke 15:5-6, Luke 15:23-24, Luke 15:32, John 15:11
He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing: The Septuagint translates "be quiet in his love" as "renews his love" based upon a 1-letter spelling difference, which makes more sense in context. See also Genesis 1:31, Genesis 2:2, Psalm 35:27, Psalm 45:11, Song of Songs 7:6, Isaiah 18:4, Hosea 14:4, Micah 7:18, Zechariah 9:16, Luke 10:21, Luke 12:37, John 13:1, John 14:21, John 16:27
18. I will gather those who have been driven from the appointed festivals: The hebrew word translated here as "driven from" is yaga, which means to grieve; these are the people grieving the absence of the appointed festivals. The appointed festivals include Festival of Unleavened Bread, Festival of Shelters, Festival of Weeks, according to 2 Chronicles 8:13, and the Sabbaths, Passover, Festival of Trumpets, Firstfruits, Day of Atonement are added in Leviticus 23, though all of the holidays and Sabbaths and sacrifice days are also included in the Hebrew word. See also verse 20 below, Isaiah 56:8, Jeremiah 23:3, Jeremiah 31:8-9, Ezekiel 34:13, Ezekiel 36:24, Hosea 1:11, Romans 11:25-26
they will be a tribute from you and a reproach on her: see also Psalm 42:2-4, Psalm 43:3, Psalm 63:1-2, Psalm 84:1-2, Psalm 137:3-6, Lamentations 1:4, Lamentations 1:7, Lamentations 2:6-7, Hosea 9:5
19. Yes, at that time I will deal with all who oppress you: see also verse 15 above, Isaiah 25:9-12, Isaiah 26:11, Isaiah 41:11-16, Isaiah 43:14-17, Isaiah 49:25-26, Isaiah 51:22-23, Isaiah 66:14-16, Jeremiah 12:14, Jeremiah 30:16, Jeremiah 46:28, Jeremiah 51:35-36, Ezekiel 39:17-22, Joel 3:2-9, Micah 7:10, Nahum 1:11-14, Zechariah 2:8-9, Zechariah 12:3-4, Zechariah 14:2-3, Revelation 19:17-21, Revelation 20:9
I will save the lame and gather the outcasts: see also Jeremiah 31:8, Ezekiel 34:16, Micah 4:6-7, Hebrews 12:13
I will make those who were disgraced throughout the earth receive praise and fame: see also verse 20 below, Zephaniah 3:11, Deuteronomy 26:19, Esther 9:4, Isaiah 60:14, Isaiah 61:7, Isaiah 62:7, Jeremiah 30:19, Jeremiah 33:9, Ezekiel 36:15, Ezekiel 39:13, Ezekiel 39:26, Malachi 3:12
20. At that time I will bring you back, yes, at the time I will gather you: see also verse 18 above, Deuteronomy 30:4, Isaiah 11:11-12, Isaiah 27:12-13, Isaiah 56:8, Jeremiah 23:3, Jeremiah 23:8, Jeremiah 32:37, Ezekiel 28:25, Ezekiel 34:13, Ezekiel 34:16, Ezekiel 37:21, Ezekiel 39:28, Amos 9:14, Zechariah 10:6
I will give you fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth: see also verse 19 above, Isaiah 35:2, Isaiah 60:15, Isaiah 61:9, Isaiah 62:7, Isaiah 62:12, Jeremiah 30:19, Ezekiel 39:13, Daniel 7:27, Malachi 3:12
when I restore your fortunes before your eyes. The Lord has spoken: see also Zephaniah 2:7, Psalm 35:6, Jeremiah 29:14, Jeremiah 30:3, Jeremiah 33:7, Ezekiel 16:53, Joel 3:1
Abbraccio tra la Giustizia e la Pace - Justice embracing Peace by Artemisia Gentileschi, circa 1635, private collection. Gentileschi was the most successful female Baroque painter. One of the women is a personification of Peace with an olive branch and the other is a personification of Justice with the top of a scale shown in her hand. This is a depiction of Psalm 85:10.
The Visual Commentary on Scripture has the page Restoring Peace and Plenty.
Psalm 85
CSB
Lord, you showed favor to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave your people’s guilt;
you covered all their sin. Selah
You withdrew all your fury;
you turned from your burning anger.
Return to us, God of our salvation,
and abandon your displeasure with us.
Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger for all generations?
Will you not revive us again
so that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your faithful love, Lord,
and give us your salvation.
I will listen to what God will say;
surely the Lord will declare peace
to his people, his faithful ones,
and not let them go back to foolish ways.
His salvation is very near those who fear him,
so that glory may dwell in our land.
Faithful love and truth will join together;
righteousness and peace will embrace.
Truth will spring up from the earth,
and righteousness will look down from heaven.
Also, the Lord will provide what is good,
and our land will yield its crops.
Righteousness will go before him
to prepare the way for his steps.
Who wrote this Psalm? attributed to the sons of Korah. The Sons of Korah were the descendants of Moses' cousin Korah, who led a revolt against Moses as described in Numbers 16. Korah's offspring did not join in his rebellion and are listed in the Bible as doorkeepers or guards at the door of the Tabernacle/Temple (1 Chronicles 9:17–19). Samuel was a descendant of Korah (1 Chronicles 6:28). They could have also played a part in worship activities (2 Chronicles 20:19).
Who was this Psalm written for? the choir director to lead the worshippers in communal lament
When was this Psalm written? possibly near the end of the Babylonian exile when there was a partial return to the Promised Land but not all of the Jews were allowed to return
What is the purpose of the book of Psalms? The Psalms are songs for worship, both public and private.
When was this Psalm written? possibly near the end of the Babylonian exile when there was a partial return to the Promised Land but not all of the Jews were allowed to return
What is the purpose of the book of Psalms? The Psalms are songs for worship, both public and private.
Things I noticed:
1. Lord, you showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob: The Hebrew word for restore here denotes a complete restoration to former condition. See also Psalm 14:7, Psalm 53:6, Psalm 77:7, Psalm 126:1-2, Exodus 32:13, Leviticus 25:23, Leviticus 26:42, Deuteronomy 30:3, Ezra 1:11, Ezra 2:1, Job 42:10, Jeremiah 29:14, Jeremiah 30:3, Jeremiah 30:18, Jeremiah 31:23, Jeremiah 33:7, Jeremiah 33:11, Jeremiah 33:26, Ezekiel 29:14, Ezekiel 39:25, Hosea 6:11, Joel 2:18, Joel 3:1, Amos 9:14, Zephaniah 2:7, Zephaniah 3:20 above, Zechariah 1:16
2. You forgave your people’s guilt; you covered all their sin. Selah: Selah (SEE-luh) - the exact definition of this word is unknown. There's a decent chance it is a musical notation for the choir to stay silent during instrumental music and people are supposed to meditate upon what was just sung. See also Psalm 32:1, Psalm 32:5, Psalm 79:8-9, 2 Chronicles 6:21, Isaiah 38:17, Isaiah 40:1-2, Jeremiah 33:8, Jeremiah 50:20, Micah 7:18, Romans 4:7, Acts 13:39, Colossians 2:13
3. You withdrew all your fury; you turned from your burning anger: see also Exodus 32:11-12, Exodus 32:22, Deuteronomy 13:17, Isaiah 6:7, Isaiah 12:1, Isaiah 40:1-2, Isaiah 54:7-10, Zephaniah 3:15 above, John 1:29
4. Return to us: see also Psalm 23:3, Psalm 60:1, Psalm 80:3, Psalm 80:7, Psalm 80:19, Psalm 126:1, Psalm 126:4, Jeremiah 31:18, Lamentations 5:21, Malachi 4:6, Luke 11:2
God of our salvation: see also Psalm 25:2, Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 17:10, Micah 7:7, Micah 7:18-20, Mark 9:24, John 4:22
abandon your displeasure with us: see also Psalm 78:38, Isaiah 10:25, Daniel 9:16
5. Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger for all generations?: see also Psalm 13:1, Psalm 74:1, Psalm 77:7-9, Psalm 79:5, Psalm 80:4, Psalm 89:46, Exodus 32:11-12, Isaiah 57:16, Isaiah 64:9-12, Jeremiah 3:5, Lamentations 5:20, Micah 7:18, Luke 21:24, Revelation 18:21-23
6. Will you not revive us again: see also Psalm 80:18, Psalm 138:7, Psalm 143:11, Ezra 9:8-9, Isaiah 57:15, Hosea 6:2, Habakkuk 3:2
so that your people may rejoice in you?: see also Psalm 51:12, Psalm 53:6, Psalm 90:14, Ezra 3:11-13, Jeremiah 33:11, Habakkuk 3:18
7. Show us your faithful love, Lord, and give us your salvation: Faithful love is the Hebrew word hesed again--see my commentary on this Hebrew word. See also Psalm 50:23, Psalm 91:16, Genesis 49:18, Jeremiah 42:12
8. I will listen to what God will say: see also Numbers 9:8, 1 Samuel 3:9, Habakkuk 2:1, Haggai 1:8, Hebrews 12:25
surely the Lord will declare peace to his people: Shalom (the Hebrew concept of peace) is an all-encompassing state of wellness and flourishing in all aspects of life. See also Psalm 29:11, Judges 6:23, Isaiah 40:1, Isaiah 51:3, Isaiah 57:19, Zechariah 9:10, John 14:27, John 20:19, John 20:26, Acts 10:36, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, Ephesians 2:17, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, Haggai 2:9, Luke 2:14, John 16:33, Romans 5:1, Philippians 4:7 below
his faithful ones: see also Psalm 50:5, Ephesians 1:1-2
and not let them go back to foolish ways: see also Psalm 130:4, Genesis 34:7, 1 Samuel 25:25, Proverbs 25:11, Proverbs 27:22, John 5:14, John 8:11, Acts 3:26, Galatians 4:9, 2 Timothy 2:19, Hebrews 10:26-29, 2 Peter 2:20-22, Revelation 2:4-5, Revelation 3:19
9. His salvation is very near those who fear him: see also Psalm 24:4-5, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 50:23, Psalm 119:155, Isaiah 46:13, Isaiah 56:1, Zechariah 9:9, Mark 12:32-34, Luke 1:50, John 7:17, Acts 10:2-4, Acts 11:13-14, Acts 13:16
so that glory may dwell in our land: see also Isaiah 4:5, Ezekiel 26:20, Haggai 2:7-9, Zechariah 2:5, Zechariah 2:8, Luke 2:32, John 1:14
10. Faithful love and truth will join together; righteousness and peace will embrace:
Seven attributes serve before the Throne of Glory: Wisdom, Righteousness, Justice, Kindness, Mercy, Truth, and Peace, as it says (Hosea 2:21–22), “I will bind you to Me forever. I will bind you to Me with righteousness, with justice, with kindness, and with mercy. I will bind you to Me with faith, and you will know the Eternal.” Avot DeRabbi Natan 37:8
This is hesed love as in verse 7 above and shalom as in verse 8 above. An explanation of this verse is available on Wikipedia. This verse is quoted in the movie Babette's Feast by the character General Lorens Löwenhielm. See also Psalm 25:10, Psalm 26:3, Psalm 33:4, Psalm 40:11, Psalm 57:10, Psalm 72:3, Psalm 86:15, Psalm 89:14, Psalm 100:5, Psalm 108:4, Psalm 117:2, Psalm 138:2, Exodus 34:6-7, 2 Samuel 15:20, Proverbs 16:6, Isaiah 16:5, Isaiah 32:16-18, Isaiah 45:24, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Hosea 2:19, Micah 7:20, Haggai 2:9, Luke 1:54-55, Luke 1:79, Luke 2:14, John 1:17, John 14:27, Acts 10:36, Romans 3:25-26, Romans 5:1, Romans 5:21, Hebrews 7:2, Ephesians 2:17, Ephesians 4:21, Colossians 1:20, James 2:13, Revelation 15:3
11. Truth will spring up from the earth: see also Psalm 72:3, Isaiah 4:2, Isaiah 45:8, Isaiah 53:2, John 14:6, 1 John 5:20
righteousness will look down from heaven: This is the opposite of Genesis 7:11. See also Isaiah 42:21, Isaiah 61:11, Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:5, Luke 2:14, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 1:6, Colossians 1:20
12. Also, the Lord will provide what is good: see also Psalm 84:11, Genesis 49:25, Micah 6:8, Matthew 7:11, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Ephesians 1:3, James 1:17
our land will yield its crops: This psalm could have been sung during the spring planting season or during the growing season when farmers would be praying for good harvests to come later. Verse 11 could be equating truth to water springs and righteousness to rain showers coming down from heaven. See also Psalm 67:6, Psalm 72:16, Leviticus 25:19, Leviticus 26:4, Isaiah 4:2, Isaiah 30:23-24, Isaiah 32:15, Ezekiel 34:27, Ezekiel 36:8, Haggai 1:10, Matthew 13:8, Matthew 13:23, Acts 2:41, Acts 21:20, 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
13. Righteousness will go before him to prepare the way for his steps: see also Psalm 37:23, Psalm 72:2-3, Psalm 89:14, Psalm 119:35, Isaiah 58:8, Matthew 20:27-28, Mark 1:14, John 13:14-16, John 13:34, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 5:1-2, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 12:1-2, 1 Peter 2:18-24, 1 Peter 4:1, 1 John 2:6, Revelation 14:13
The literary structure of this psalm is available here.
A Rabbi at Prayer by Hubert von Herkomer, 1891, private collection. This is for Philippians 4:6.
A Spanish Girl Praying by Edwin Long, circa 1875-1885, Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums.
The Visual Commentary on Scripture has the page An Exhortation to Attentiveness.
Philippians 4:4-9
CSB
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Who wrote Philippians: Paul (along with Timothy)
Who Philippians was written to: members of the church led by Lydia in Philippi that Paul had planted during his second missionary journey
When Philippians was written: somewhere between 52-62 CE/AD; many scholars believe that more than 1 letter was combined to create the book, but there is no consensus. Philippians 1:12-14 mentions that Paul is in prison and all of the people in the palace know that Jesus is the reason for his imprisonment and then in Philippians 4:21, the emperor's household sends greetings to the church in Philippi. If the whole letter was written at once, it would have been written during Paul's imprisonment in Rome between 60-62 CE/AD.
The purpose of the book of Philippians: It's hard to create a proper outline or find the purpose of the book because it is disjointed (the bit about Epaphroditus in the middle is a bit jarring), but a common theme is joy and rejoicing. Maybe this is a hype letter to get the church in Philippi excited for Paul to come visit them again?
Things I noticed:
Who Philippians was written to: members of the church led by Lydia in Philippi that Paul had planted during his second missionary journey
When Philippians was written: somewhere between 52-62 CE/AD; many scholars believe that more than 1 letter was combined to create the book, but there is no consensus. Philippians 1:12-14 mentions that Paul is in prison and all of the people in the palace know that Jesus is the reason for his imprisonment and then in Philippians 4:21, the emperor's household sends greetings to the church in Philippi. If the whole letter was written at once, it would have been written during Paul's imprisonment in Rome between 60-62 CE/AD.
The purpose of the book of Philippians: It's hard to create a proper outline or find the purpose of the book because it is disjointed (the bit about Epaphroditus in the middle is a bit jarring), but a common theme is joy and rejoicing. Maybe this is a hype letter to get the church in Philippi excited for Paul to come visit them again?
Things I noticed:
4. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!: The repetition is for emphasis. See also Philippians 2:18, Philippians 3:1, Deuteronomy 12:7, Deuteronomy 26:11, 2 Chronicles 30:21, Psalm 32:11, Psalm 34:1-2, Psalm 89:16, Psalm 145:1-2, Psalm 146:2, Ecclesiastes 3:12, Song of Songs 1:4, Isaiah 61:10, Habakkuk 3:18, Matthew 5:12, Acts 5:41, Acts 16:25, Romans 5:2-3, Romans 12:12, 2 Corinthians 6:10, Ephesians 5:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-8, 1 Peter 4:13
5. Let your graciousness be known to everyone:
"Let us test him with insult and torture, so that we may find out how gentle he is, and make trial of his forbearance." Wisdom of Solomon 2:19, NRSVA
The Greek word translated as graciousness here is epieikes, which means equitable, fair, mild, gentle, patient, moderate, reasonable. See also Matthew 5:39-42, Luke 6:29-35, 1 Corinthians 6:7, 1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 3:2, Hebrews 13:6, James 3:17, James 5:8-9, 1 Peter 2:18
The Lord is near: This phrase might seem like a non-sequitur because it isn't readily apparent how it relates to the surrounding verses. The nearness of God/Jesus can be interpreted as a reference to the Parousia (Second Coming), but it can also be interpreted that the nearness of God/Jesus to the believer results in being quick to rescue and assist, such that we do not need to worry. See also Philippians 3:20-22, Deuteronomy 4:7, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 119:151, Psalm 145:18, Isaiah 13:6, Ezekiel 30:3, Ezekiel 36:8, Joel 1:15, Joel 3:14, Habakkuk 2:3, Zephaniah 1:7, Zephaniah 1:14, Matthew 24:44, Matthew 24:48-50, Matthew 28:20, Acts 18:10, Romans 13:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, 2 Thessalonians 2:2, 2 Timothy 4:22, Hebrews 10:25, Hebrews 10:37, James 5:8-9, 1 Peter 4:7, 2 Peter 3:8-14, Revelation 3:11, Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:20
6. Don’t worry about anything: see also Psalm 37:5, Daniel 3:16, Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 10:19, Matthew 13:22, Mark 4:19, Luke 10:41, Luke 12:22-32, Luke 21:34, 1 Corinthians 7:21, 1 Corinthians 7:32, 1 Peter 5:7
but in everything: see also Genesis 20:17, Genesis 32:7-12, 1 Samuel 1:15, 1 Samuel 30:6, 1 Kings 8:38, 2 Chronicles 32:20, 2 Chronicles 33:12-13, Psalm 34:5-7, Psalm 55:17, Psalm 55:22, Psalm 62:8, Psalm 142:2, Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 16:3, Jeremiah 33:3, Matthew 7:7-8, Luke 18:1, Luke 18:7, Luke 12:22, Ephesians 6:18, Colossians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, 1 Peter 4:7, Jude 1:20-21
through prayer and petition with thanksgiving: see also 1 Samuel 7:12, Daniel 6:10, Acts 2:42, Romans 12:12, 2 Corinthians 1:11, Ephesians 5:20, Ephesians 6:18, Colossians 1:3, Colossians 3:15-17, Colossians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, 1 Timothy 2:1
present your requests to God: see also Psalm 116:2, Proverbs 15:8, Matthew 6:8, Hebrews 4:16
7. And the peace of God: see also Philippians 1:2, Leviticus 26:6, Numbers 6:24-26, Judges 6:24, Job 22:21, Psalm 29:11, Psalm 85:8 above, Psalm 119:165, Isaiah 26:3, Isaiah 26:12, Isaiah 48:22, Isaiah 55:11-12, Isaiah 57:19-21, Jeremiah 33:6, Matthew 5:9, Luke 1:79, Luke 2:14, John 14:27, John 16:33, Romans 1:7, Romans 5:1, Romans 8:6, Romans 14:17, Romans 15:13, Romans 15:33, Romans 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Galatians 5:22, Colossians 3:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, Hebrews 13:20, Revelation 1:4
which surpasses all understanding: see also Ephesians 3:19
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus: see also Proverbs 2:11, Proverbs 4:6, Proverbs 6:22, 1 Peter 1:5, Jude 1:1
8. Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true: see also Matthew 22:16, John 7:18, Romans 12:9, 2 Corinthians 6:8, Ephesians 4:25, Ephesians 5:9, Ephesians 6:14, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 John 3:18
whatever is honorable: see also Acts 6:3, Romans 12:17, Romans 13:13, 2 Corinthians 8:21, 2 Corinthians 13:7, 1 Thessalonians 4:4, 1 Thessalonians 4:12, 1 Timothy 2:2, 1 Timothy 3:4, 1 Timothy 3:8, 1 Timothy 3:11, Titus 2:2, Titus 2:7, Titus 2:10, Hebrews 13:18, 1 Peter 2:12
whatever is just: see also Genesis 18:19, Deuteronomy 16:20, Psalm 82:2, Proverbs 11:1, Proverbs 16:11, Proverbs 20:7, Luke 2:25, Luke 23:50, Acts 10:22, Titus 1:8
whatever is pure: see also 1 Timothy 4:12, 1 Timothy 5:2, Titus 2:14, James 1:27, James 3:17, 1 John 3:3
whatever is lovely: see also Proverbs 3:17, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 1 Timothy 6:11, 1 Peter 4:8
whatever is commendable: see also Acts 6:3, Acts 10:22, Acts 22:12, Colossians 4:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:22, 1 Timothy 3:7, 1 Timothy 5:10, Hebrews 11:2
if there is any moral excellence: see also Ruth 3:11, Proverbs 12:4, Proverbs 31:10, Proverbs 31:29, 2 Peter 1:3-4
if there is anything praiseworthy: see also Proverbs 31:31, Romans 2:29, Romans 13:3, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 2 Corinthians 8:18
dwell on these things: see also Luke 16:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, 2 Timothy 2:7, 2 Peter 1:5-8, 1 John 4:1
9. Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you: see also verse 7 above, Philippians 3:17, Deuteronomy 5:1, Psalm 119:4, Isaiah 8:10, Isaiah 41:10, Amos 5:14, Matthew 1:23, Matthew 5:19-20, Matthew 7:21, Matthew 7:24-27, Matthew 28:20, Luke 6:46, Luke 8:21, John 2:5, John 13:17, John 15:14, Acts 9:6, Romans 15:33, Romans 16:20, 1 Corinthians 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 10:31-33, 1 Corinthians 11:1, 1 Corinthians 14:33, 2 Corinthians 5:19-20, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Galatians 4:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 2:2-14, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Thessalonians 3:4-10, 1 Timothy 1:16, 1 Timothy 4:12, 2 Timothy 4:22, Titus 2:7, Hebrews 13:7, Hebrews 13:20-21, James 1:22, 1 Peter 5:3, 2 Peter 1:10, 1 John 3:22The literary structure of this passage and the surrounding passages is available here.
O Lord Jesus Christ, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise make ready your way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient toward the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world, we may be found a people acceptable in your sight; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
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