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For additional lectionary resources on the assigned texts for All Saints, please see the Craft of Preaching articles. Joshua 3-4 is a difficult text, perhaps combining previous independent sources and/or reflecting an obscure liturgical celebration of Yahweh’s leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. To get the full picture, one must include all of chapters … Continue reading “Joshua 3:7-17 Commentary by Ralph W. Klein”

The story of the crossing of the Jordan highlights the authorization of Joshua’s leadership and demonstrates that sustained attentiveness to sacred tradition is foundational for Israel’s cultural identity. This passage is of profound significance for Christian understanding of what it means to be formed in faith as a community that claims spiritual rootage in ancient … Continue reading “Joshua 3:7-17 Commentary by Carolyn J. Sharp”

In the first chapter of the book of Joshua, the title character is exhorted four times — in the space of eleven verses — to “be strong and courageous.”  This exhortation to bravery does not just stand by itself; it comes with two clear reasons. First, in 1:6, God tells Joshua to be strong and … Continue reading “Joshua 3:7-17 Commentary by Sara Koenig”

For additional lectionary resources on the assigned texts for Reformation Sunday, please see the Craft of Preaching articles. Many of us are familiar with the debates in our society about the “right to die,” but we don’t spend a lot of time thinking about dying well. My grandmother passed away this spring at the age … Continue reading “Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Commentary by Karla Suomala”

Time flies. Last Sunday, we were privy to a conversation between Moses and God at the beginning of the wilderness wanderings. Today, we come to the end of that story, the story of Moses and the Exodus. We come also to the end of the book of Deuteronomy and the end of the portion of … Continue reading “Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Commentary by Kathryn M. Schifferdecker”

This poignant account of Moses’ death takes place at the very end of Deuteronomy, and therefore at the very end of the entire Pentateuch.  After forty years of wandering through the wilderness, the people of Israel are poised to enter the land promised to their ancestors long ago. Because of Moses’ actions in Numbers 20, … Continue reading “Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Commentary by Sara Koenig”

The majestic speech of Deuteronomy nears its conclusion in this stirring exhortation. In the wilderness beyond the Jordan, the Israelites listen as their prophetic leader, Moses, describes the kind of people they have become: a people formed in the crucible of covenant, a people who are made and unmade by the grace and ferocity of … Continue reading “Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Commentary by Carolyn J. Sharp”

“See I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity…” The Old Testament reading opens with a solemn choice, portrayed starkly in terms of life and death. The choice for life is a choice for the “good”, translated as “prosperity” by the NRSV in this text. The meaning of this word includes … Continue reading “Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Commentary by Callie Plunket-Brewton”

After what is surely one of the longest sermons in history — all of Deuteronomy! — Moses makes his final appeal to Israel in this passage. Two long poetic passages follow in chapters 31–34, “The Song of Moses” and “The Blessing of Moses,” along with narratives recounting Moses’ death and the transfer of leadership to … Continue reading “Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Commentary by Brian C. Jones”

It’s time to make a choice. Today is decision day. And the choices are limited.   As Moses’ third speech in the book of Deuteronomy winds down, our passage calls for a selection between two options: life and death. The Common English Bible translation stays close to the Hebrew wording: “life and what’s good versus … Continue reading “Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Commentary by Tyler Mayfield”