Alternate First Reading

Matthew 13:30
Commentary on Genesis 28:10-19a

Jacob’s surprising encounter with God at Bethel leads to reflection [...]

Matthew 13:47
Commentary on Genesis 29:15-28

Love stories in the Bible, such as this First Lesson [...]

Matthew 9:37
Commentary on Genesis 18:1-15 [21:1-7]

“Is anything too wonderful for the Lord?” The question the [...]

Matthew 10:31
Commentary on Genesis 21:8-21

For some time now, I have wondered why the editors of Genesis give Hagar and [...]

Matthew 10:42
Commentary on Genesis 22:1-14

What do we do with this text? It’s horrifying—that Abraham would plan to kill his [...]

Commentary on Judges 4:1-7

Deborah is among the most prestigious female leaders in the Old Testament and her exemplary [...]

Commentary on 1 Kings 8:[1, 6, 10-11] 22-30, 41-43

Like last week’s reading from [...]

Commentary on 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14

The Old Testament readings for this week and next week [...]

Commentary on 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33

The tension of this text begins with the enigmatic order [...]

Commentary on 2 Samuel 11:26—12:13a

Judgment rings out loud and clear in God’s displeasure, in [...]