READINGS to help us prepare for this Sunday: Lord of Light, shine upon these words the very truth of your being, that we may read and be brought into deeper relationship with you. Amen. Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15. In spite of his prophecies of the destruction of Judah, Jeremiah buys his cousin’s field and proclaims God’s word...
Bible Readings. Jeremiah 8:18-9:. Jeremiah grieves the destruction of his people, who insisted on worshiping idols, but for whom there is now no salvation. Psalm 79:1-9. A lament for the land of Israel which has been destroyed by foreign nations, and for the temple which has been desecrated, and a plea for God’s forgiveness, compassion...
Bible Readings. Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28. God proclaims judgement on God’s foolish people, who are skilled at evil, but have no knowledge of doing good, and the land is destroyed in the wake of God’s anger. Psalm 14. Foolish people say there is no God and live in destructive ways, but God’s people hope in God’s...
Bible Readings. Jeremiah 18:1-11. Jeremiah is instructed to observe the potter at work, and God explains how God works – how good that is promised may not happen if a nation turns to evil, and bad that is prophesied may not happen if the nation repents and turns back to God. Then God’s people are...
Jeremiah 2:4-13. God speaks out against God’s people who have forgotten God’s salvation and turned to other gods – God’s people have abandoned God who is the fountain of living water and have dug cracked cisterns for themselves. Psalm 81:1, 10-16. God brought Israel out of Egypt, and longs for Israel to listen to God...
Jeremiah 1:4-10. Jeremiah is called by God to be a prophet, but protests that he is too young. God promises to put God’s words into Jeremiah’s mouth. Psalm 71:1-6. A prayer for God’s protection and care. OR Psalm 103:1-8: A song of praise and thanksgiving for God’s forgiveness, healing and goodness. Hebrews 12:18-29. Unlike the...
BIBLE READINGS. Isaiah 5:1-7. A metaphorical prophecy of judgement against Israel and Judah, pictured as God’s vineyard, for their lack of justice. Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19. A Psalm of repentance for abandoning God, and praying for God to once again tend and protect God’s people as a vineyard that is well cared for. Hebrews 11:29-12:2. A...
Bible Readings. Isaiah 1:1, 10-20. Isaiah prophesies against God’s people, expressing God’s displeasure at their worship and sacrifices while injustice remains among them. God invites the people to repent and confess, and if they do, God promises to cleanse and restore them. Psalm 50:1-8, 23-24. God comes in judgement on God’s people, inviting them to...
BIBLE READINGS. Hosea 11:1-11. Judgement is prophesied for Israel because of the people’s idolatry and un-faithfulness, but God’s compassion and love for God’s people makes judgement difficult for God, and so restoration is also promised. Psalm 107:1-9, 43. Praise for God’s unfailing love, and God’s salvation of God’s people when in distress. The history of...
BIBLE READINGS. Hosea 1:2-10. God instructs Hosea to marry a prostitute, and give his children names that prophesy God’s judgement on Israel, but also God’s ultimate restoration. Psalm 85. A song in celebration of God’s grace and forgiveness, and God’s blessing in restoring God’s people. Colossians 2:6-15. Paul encourages believers to sink their roots deep...
