Alternate First Reading

Chef with apron in kitchen
Commentary on Lamentations 1:1-6

Alone, weeping bitterly, without a comforter, betrayed, her people in [...]

two people hold bowl of cherry tomatoes
Commentary on Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15

From time to time, the book of Jeremiah reminds readers [...]

Group of people standing on beach watching sunset
Commentary on Jeremiah 8:18—9:1

The book of Jeremiah provides readers with broad insights into [...]

Boy under sprinkler in summer grass
Commentary on Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28

Older millennials and people from other generations living in the [...]

Girl in field of flowers gazing at sunset
Commentary on Jeremiah 18:1-11

What is the purpose of prophets and prophecy? This question [...]

lavish spread of fruit and crackers
Commentary on Jeremiah 2:4-13

Jeremiah 1 introduced the prophetic ministry of Jeremiah by depicting God’s call upon Jeremiah’s life. [...]

bird with extended wings feeding from open hand
Commentary on Jeremiah 1:4-10

As we prepare to preach on Jeremiah 1:4-10, we need to decide from which perspective [...]

Night sky with stars, silhouetted figures visible in foreground.
Commentary on Isaiah 5:1-7

The lectionary text found in Isaiah 5:1-7 presents the preacher with an opportunity to preach [...]

Lamb with knit hat held like a baby by shepherd
Commentary on Isaiah 1:1, 10-20

This week’s reading from the book of Isaiah invites us [...]

Man extending arms to sky in front of sunset over city
Commentary on Hosea 11:1-11

God’s identity as “Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, [...]