Author: Administrador

Again, the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.”   “You have spoken well, King Ahaz,” said God. Well, no. That’s not what God said. … Continue reading “Isaiah 7:10-16 Commentary by Barbara Lundblad”

It has long puzzled interpreters that the apparent call of Isaiah is not recounted until chapter 6. Indeed, many interpreters conclude that Isaiah 6:1-8 represents not Isaiah’s call, but rather something like a renewal-of-call experience or a re-commissioning for a new situation that was precipitated by the death of King Uzziah in 742 BCE (or … Continue reading “Isaiah 6:1-8 Commentary by J. Clinton McCann”

Commentary for these texts is forthcoming. PRAYER OF THE DAY King of heaven and earth,As you cleansed Isaiah with a coal of fire to prepare him for proclaiming your word to the world, prepare us, so that we may know your bidding and carry out our callings with eagerness and urgency. Show the world greatness that cannot … Continue reading “Isaiah 6:1-8 Commentary by Roger Nam”

This text is among the more famous in the Hebrew Bible, serving as a source for the centuries’ old shape of worship (Praise, Confession, Forgiveness/Pardon, and Response). In addition, it offers the origin of more than a few popular hymns, the best example being Dan Schuette’s 1981 composition: “Here I am, Lord.” It could fairly … Continue reading “Isaiah 6:1-8 Commentary by John C. Holbert”

For most of the country, this Fifth Sunday of Epiphany falls about the time when winter is at its worst. The Christmas lights are long gone, and there seems no end to the cold days and dark nights. This sense of never-ending gloom is the way the people of Israel were feeling during the time … Continue reading “Isaiah 6:1-8, (9-13) Commentary by Beth L. Tanner”

Holy Trinity Sunday is the First Sunday after Pentecost, ushering in the season when the church hears about Jesus’ ministry and then about the church’s own ministry. This day focuses on the doctrine of the triune God, a practice begun in the Western church in the 10th century. The sermon on this day is, in … Continue reading “Isaiah 6:1-8 Commentary by Melinda Quivik”

Finding a text for today from the Hebrew Bible, which knows nothing of the Christian Trinity, must have been quite challenging for the lectionary’s creators. Year A opts for Genesis 1, and Year C for Proverbs 8. Genesis 1 and Isaiah 6 evidently owe their slot to traditional exegetes’ understanding of the plural divine language … Continue reading “Isaiah 6:1-8 Commentary by Patricia Tull”

This week’s texts (Isaiah 5:1-7; 11:1-9) provide a glimpse of God at work in God’s garden. The metaphor, God as Gardener, in fact is quite common in Isaiah: Isaiah 5:1-7; 9:14; 10:33-34; 18:4-7; 27:2-6, 12-13; 37:30-32; 41:14-16, 17-20; 42:8-9; 43:19-20; 44:1-5; 51:1-3; 53:2; 58:11; 60:21-22; 61:1-3; 63:1-6. God carefully, passionately, and lovingly, tends to Israel, … Continue reading “Isaiah 5:1-7; 11:1-5 Commentary by Michael J. Chan”

Grape Expectations: Our experience with Isaiah 5:1-7 can be strangely similar to that of the characters in the passage itself. The “vineyard” owner (vv. 1-2) and the “inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah” addressed by the song/parable (v. 3) have their expectations dashed by reality. Likewise, this deceptively attractive text leads preachers to expect … Continue reading “Isaiah 5:1-7 Commentary by James K. Mead”

Last week’s Old Testament lesson from Isaiah 1 highlighted the importance of justice and righteousness. Both of these crucial words/concepts are featured again in Isaiah 5:1-7, another of the more memorable passages in all of the prophetic literature. What begins as if it will be a “love-song” quickly develops into an allegory; and lest there … Continue reading “Isaiah 5:1-7 Commentary by J. Clinton McCann”