Scripture Commentary for December 2, 2012 by Arthur H. Cash

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ADVENT  SUNDAY

2 Dec 2012

FIRST LESSON

Jeremiah 33:14-16

Today we begin the third year of the three-year cycle of readings.  These readings are the outcome of an ecumenical movement to draw together various sects in the US and Canada.  The resulting schedule is now followed by many Roman Catholic parishes, the entire world-wide Anglican communion, and numerous other sects.

Today’s Old Testament lesson:

Disaster awaits Jerusalem.  The Babylonians and their allies the Chaldeans have taken the northern nation of Judah and are now marching toward Jerusalem.  Jeremiah begins to prophesy.  Jerusalem will fall, he tells the people, for God is now punishing the Israelites for their wickedness; but eventually, guided by some descendant of David, Jerusalem will rise again.  The city did fall, and its walls and Temple were destroyed.  Yet half a century later they emerged from captivity with a Bible, a holy book, which they called the Torah (meaning Law), the first five books of the Bible we know.  The Torah not only laid the groundwork for a unified Judaism, but served as a political constitution for the new state they formed, called Judea.

SECOND LESSON

I Thessalonians 3:9-13

The first letter to the Thessalonians is generally regarded as the earliest written of Paul’s letters and, consequently, the earliest-written piece in the New Testament.  The Christian congregation has not been established very long, but is proving itself strong in faith.

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