Jonah 1

This week, we begin a four week study of the book of Jonah!

Jonah is a Bible School and Sunday School favorite. What do you remember from Jonah growing up? Most likely, the "whale" (the Hebrew says "big fish" - we can talk about him later).

The story of Jonah endures, for many reasons. Most importantly, Jonah is human. And his story reveals a lot about the character of the LORD to us.

Jonah is part of the collection of the Book of the Twelve, or the Minor Prophets (called minor because their books are smaller, not more or less important). Most of these prophets are short on narrative about their respective prophet and long on message, usually a prophecy to Judah or Israel (the divided kingdoms of Israel), or some surrounding nation.

OT reference:

Jonah is a common name. The book of Jonah gives us no real historical foothold, instead a large window of time, because Ninevah prominence lasted only so long before the Medes and Babylonians overran them.

However, 2 Kings 14.25 mentions a Jonah. Some say are the same prophet. It is plausible, but no one really knows.

Mark 4.35 (compare Mt 8.23-27, Luke 8.22-25) shows Jesus in a boat, asleep. The contrast between Jesus' and Jonah's experiences in the boat certainly come to mind.

Have more fun with Jonah here.

James Finale

Sunday is our final foray into James' epistle. His closing themes are justice, patience, integrity, and prayer, particularly prayers for the sick.

Some scriptures to read beforehand:

Elijah's Prayers for Rain: 1 Kings 17-18 (particularly 17.1-7 & 18.41-46)

Swearing: Matthew 5.33-37; 23.16-22

Riches: Matthew 5.19-21

Remember, James and Matthew share many verses and themes. Try re-reading James and then quickly reading sections of Matthew, specifically Jesus' teachings. Enjoy!

(Preview: next week, we begin a 4-week series on Jonah)

Jeh-

Ovah

Needs

All

Humans

Grace Abounds

We have no "autograph" copies of the bible, meaning no texts written in the original author's hand (or any other kind of autograph, for that matter - how much would Paul's autograph fetch on ebay). When biblical scholars compare ancient manuscripts, especially the odlest copies, they find minor differences between the texts. This week, we find out how one letter can make a big difference in the translation of the Bible.

In verse 2 of James 4, beginning with the scholar Erasmus, scholars have recognized that the word for envy turns into the word murder if one letter is left out. Even a conservative commentator like Calvin thought that this was likely an omission in the text. Bringing the text once again to the thorny problem of envy.

Grace is the antidote to sin. We talk much about sin, without giving it a definition. Literally, the word for sin means "to miss the mark," as an arrow would fall short of a target. Before reading James's definition of sin in verse 17, compare, contrast, and consider Paul's definition in Romans 14.23.

Follow-up to James 3

Check out this speech by Alain de Botton at the TED conference. Chapter 3 of James touched briefly on envy; de Botton's speech is an excellent follow-up (although it is not a sermon, it still begs us to reach for a spiritual center), particularly as envy relates to our work life.

James begs us to act as equals, neighbors, in the church. His divine wisdom realizes that egalitarianism and equality struggle constantly with envy and selfish-ambition.

Wisdom 2

This week, we continue in James 3. James speaks of the tongue. What are our modern equivalents of the tongue. Blogs? Facebook? Email? Twitter?

What is heavenly wisdom? Where have you seen it?