Scripture lessons for November 17

Poppy field in recognition of Veteran's Day

Isaiah 65:17-25:  (sermon text): The vision of a new creation and a time of prosperity and peace sprang from Israel's hope for a return from exile in Babylon in 539 BC. Nowhere is this vision more beautifully expressed that in these words associated with an unknown prophet whose poetic messages form the latter part of the Book of Isaiah (chapters 40-66).   This vision still remains the hope of the whole human race as well the primary motivation of the modern state of Israel and its desire that Jerusalem be its capital city.

Isaiah 12: Not all psalms in the Bible are in the Book of Psalms. Here are two very brief hymns of thanksgiving. Verses 1-2 praise God for deliverance from some personal danger. Verses 3-6 give thanks when God's mighty deeds are remembered amid the ordinary tasks of life such a drawing water from a well.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13: Paul counsels the faithful that they avoid debilitating idleness as they wait for the coming of the Lord. In so doing they would imitate his practice of working for a living while carrying on his ministry.  It was a poignant message to the many servants and slaves who had found hope for a better life in the gospel Paul preached. The Letter to Philemon suggests that it was not uncommon for slave owners to free their slaves, but what then could they do?

Luke 21:5-19: This passage is part of an edited version taken from Mark 13 known as "The Little Apocalypse." It appears to quote Jesus as predicting the destruction of the temple and the end of the present age. Many scholars believe that it was originally a Jewish document adapted for use in the
Christian mission, but also incorporating some genuine words of Jesus. It's essential message is that Jesus changed all of history.