Alternate First Reading

Shadow figures on a brick wall
Commentary on Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17

Last week’s commentary on Ruth 1:1–18 outlined the centrality of [...]

Protest signs with
Commentary on Ruth 1:1-18

The book of Ruth is beloved by many, and preachers have a wonderful opportunity over [...]

man praying fervently
Commentary on Job 42:1-6, 10-17

It is often remarked that the epilogue to the book [...]

Stone crucifix against dark clouds
Commentary on Job 38:1-7 [34-41]

I’ve been a public school teacher since August 2008. Part of [...]

Christ and the Rich Young Man (painting by A. N. Mironov
Commentary on Job 23:1-9, 16-17

Last week we looked at the larger canonical context of [...]

Two boys grasping each other and smiling
Commentary on Job 1:1; 2:1-10

For this and the next three Sundays, the Revised Common Lectionary offers four readings from [...]

Sand in outstretched palm
Commentary on Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22

The story of Esther is a tale about the survival [...]

Toddler reaching hand into puddle
Commentary on Proverbs 31:10-31

This poem is an acrostic, an a-b-c’s of a “good [...]

Cross alongside road on mountain pass
Commentary on Proverbs 1:20-33

The book of Proverbs features two loud women. Both of [...]

Elder adults sitting together on boardwalk
Commentary on Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23

The book of Proverbs is known as a wisdom book [...]