<font color='black' size='4' face='Times New Roman, Times, serif'><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">Forwarded:</font><br>
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<div style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;"><font face="arial, helvetica">-----Original Message-----</font><br>
<font face="arial, helvetica">From: Tom O'Brien <tgobrien@comcast.net></font><br>
<font face="arial, helvetica">To: Tom O'Brien <tgobrien@comcast.net></font><br>
<font face="arial, helvetica">Sent: Tue, Nov 29, 2016 6:21 pm</font><br>
<font face="arial, helvetica">Subject: Scripture in context 12.11.16</font><br>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">Dear Friends, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, helvetica;"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">Attached in Word is Scripture in Context for December 11, 2016. I hope you and others find it informative and helpful. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, helvetica;"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">This offering and those that go back to July 2016 are posted at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.scriptureincontext.org">www.scriptureincontext.org</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, helvetica;"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">My son has recommended that when I post new offerings on the website that I share this fact on Facebook, so I will in the future – at least for a while to see how people react. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, helvetica;"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">Blessings, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, helvetica;"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">Tom </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Re:</font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b>TODAY’S READINGS IN CONTEXT<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b>DECEMBER 11, 2016<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b> </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b> </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Isaiah 35: 1-10<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><u><o:p> </o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from three
distinct periods in Israel’s history.
Chapters 1-39 are called “First Isaiah” and were mostly written in the 30
years before Jerusalem was under direct siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE. “Second Isaiah” is Chapters 40 to 55 and
brings hope to the Judeans <u>during</u> the time of the Exile in Babylon (587
to 539 BCE) by telling them they have suffered enough and will return to
Jerusalem. “Third Isaiah” is Chapters 56 to 66 and contains encouragement to
the Judeans in Jerusalem <u>after </u>the Exile. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">Today’s reading, even though it is one of the “First Isaiah”
chapters, was likely written during the time of the Exile. It promises that the
“ransomed” (v.10) – a reference to the Exiles -- shall return to a fruitful
land with joy. The chapters that follow
this reading (Ch. 36-39) are an historical appendix which (except for a few
verses) parallel 2 Kings 18 -20. These chapters describe the siege of Jerusalem
by the Assyrians and the Judean King (Hezekiah) foolishly turning to the
Babylonians for help. The inclusion of parts of 2 Kings in the Book of Isaiah
shows the continuing influence of the Deuteronomists in forming the “final”
versions of both Isaiah and Jeremiah. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><b><u>James 5:7-10<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">Although the authorship of this epistle is not known, it has
traditionally been attributed to James, the brother of Jesus, who is presented
in Acts of the Apostles as the leader of the Jesus Follower community in
Jerusalem. This James is sometimes
called “James the Just” and is distinguished from “James the Great” (an
apostle, brother of John, and son of Zebedee) and from “James the Less”
(apostle and son of Alphaeus). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">The letter is addressed to Jewish Jesus Followers and
emphasizes the importance of good works.
This emphasis has been understood by some (including Luther) as being
opposed to Paul’s position that one is saved by Faith alone. These positions can be reconciled by
recognizing that salvation/wholeness does not come from works alone and that a
saving Faith leads to good works. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">Today’s reading is from the last chapter of the Epistle, and
offers consolation to the hearers. Like many other writings from the late First
Century, it expresses the understanding that the coming of the Lord is near.
(v.8)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
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