Behold, how good and pleasant it is (Psalm 133)
Behold, how good and pleasant it is (Psalm 133)
Psalm 133 is a short pilgrim psalm attributed to David, celebrating the beauty and blessings of unity among God’s people. It uses vivid imagery to describe how good and pleasant it is to dwell together in unity. The passage emphasizes the sacredness of communal harmony through two key similes: the...
Praise the Lord, All You Servants of the Lord (Psalm 134)
Psalm 134:1-3 is a short but profound call to worship. It is part of the Songs of Ascents, a collection of psalms sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. This particular psalm invites the servants of the Lord to bless him, especially those who minister by night in the temple. It ends with a...
Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is Good (Psalm 136)
This is a responsive psalm where the community answers back to the deeds of praise on God. The first topic is the creation for which God receives the praise. The following topic is the Exodus and the way to the Promised land. These are the main events in the history of God's people, in which the...
Wisdom’s Call (Proverbs 8:1-9:18)
The proverb accounts the Wisdom as a direct witness to the creation. She was there and saw the act. Therefore the Wisdom also precedes the existence of the creation. The Wisdom is the one who mediates between God and humans. In the book of Proverbs, God is a somewhat distant deity. He does not...
The Temple Sermon (Jeremiah 7:1-11)
In Jeremiah 7:1-11, the prophet delivers a message from God to the people of Judah, emphasizing the importance of true worship and moral behavior over superficial rituals. The passage, known as the "Temple Sermon," rebukes the people's misplaced trust in the temple as a guarantee of safety while...
Let not the Wise Boast (Jeremiah 9:22-23)
In this passage, the Lord warns against boasting in one's wisdom, strength, or wealth, as these worldly attributes are not what truly matter in the eyes of God. Instead, God desires that individuals take pride in their knowledge and understanding of Him, recognizing His just and righteous...
The Lord will Dwell in Zion (Zechariah 2:14-17)
The passage Zechariah 2:14-17 offers profound theological insights. It foregrounds the divine promise of God's immanent presence amongst His people, indicating an intimate and benevolent relationship between the Divine and His followers. This presence denotes more than mere proximity. It suggests...
Malachi
The book of Malachi, the last of the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament, begins with a divine proclamation of love for Israel. Yet, intertwined with this assurance is a deep-seated divine discontent. God addresses the spiritual apathy and negligence of both the priests and the people of Israel....