Alternate First Reading

Barboleta
Commentary on Proverbs 1:20-33

Proverbs 1 contains the first of three longer speeches given [...]

Barboleta
Commentary on Proverbs 1:20-33

The pericope introduces the enigmatic Woman Wisdom, a figure who [...]

Helping Hands
Commentary on Proverbs 31:10-31

It was a retired Rabbi in our town who gave [...]

Helping Hands
Commentary on Proverbs 31:10-31

The Lectionary parsing of Proverbs 31 is unfortunate; without the [...]

Ice Water
Commentary on Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22

In the language of literary analysis, chapter 7 is the [...]

Ice Water
Commentary on Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22

Preaching from the book of Esther is not for the [...]

Job's Sufferings
Commentary on Job 1:1; 2:1-10

The Book of Job tells a very un-American story. Our national myths favor rags-to-riches, underdog-to-victor, [...]

How do you get a camel through the eye of a needle ...
Commentary on Job 23:1-9, 16-17

Most of the Book of Job is fly-over territory. While [...]

Storm Over Lake Otsego
Commentary on Job 38:1-7 [34-41]

Finally and dramatically, God responds to Job from a whirlwind. [...]

Lord, that I might see!
Commentary on Job 42:1-6, 10-17

What can Job possibly say to God after hearing God [...]