Narrative Lectionary

Jonah the Prophet sculpture by Sargis Babayan, 2011.
Commentary on Jonah 1:1-17; 3:1-10; [4:1-11]

The book of Jonah could be described as equal parts [...]

Elijah and the Widow of Zarepheth
Commentary on 1 Kings 17:1-16 [17-24]

The confidence and authority that Elijah exudes in today’s lesson [...]

Architectural model of the temple of King Solomon in Jerusalem, After a design by Thomas Newberry, 1883
Commentary on 1 Kings 5:1-5; 8:27-30, 41-43

God had said back in 2 Samuel 7 that it [...]

Detail of David, from the Psalter of Jean de Berry, André_Beauneveu, before 1402
Commentary on 2 Samuel 7:1-17

This passage in which God’s promises and covenant with David are recounted is one of [...]

Detail from
Commentary on 1 Samuel 1:9-11, 19-20; 2:1-10

Pastoral issues: A pastor I know often says that if [...]

Commentary on Exodus 32:1-14

The broader context of Exodus: The famous, indeed infamous, episode of the Israelites’ most profound [...]

Plaque with Marking of the Door with the Letter Tau, German, ca. 1200
Commentary on Exodus 12:1-13; 13:1-8

Chapters 12 and 13 in the book of Exodus narrate [...]

Commentary on Genesis 37:3-8, 17b-22, 26-34; 50:15-21

The story of Joseph begins [...]

Starry sky
Commentary on Genesis 15:1-6

The book of Genesis begins with blessing. God blesses animals and humans alike (1:22, 28), [...]

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Commentary on Genesis 2:4b-7, 15-17; 3:1-8

Genesis 2 and 3 are among the most familiar chapters [...]