Bible Study: Proper 28 (C) – 2025

RCL: Jeremiah 65:17-25; Canticle 9; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19

Jeremiah 65:17-25

Isaiah’s vision is sweeping in scope: God declares the creation of “new heavens and a new earth,” a transformation so radical that “the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.” The prophet is not describing an escape from the world but rather the renewal of it. Jerusalem, so often marked by conquest and grief, is re-imagined as a place of delight, safety, and peace. Here, joy replaces weeping, stability replaces exploitation, and longevity replaces untimely death.

This passage redefines prosperity not as wealth or military dominance, but as security and well-being, rooted in justice. People will live in the homes they build and eat from the vineyards they plant—an intentional reversal of the exploitation described earlier in Isaiah, where invaders and elites consumed the fruits of others’ labor. The promise is not only personal but communal; God is remaking the entire social fabric to reflect divine justice.

The imagery of natural enemies coexisting—the wolf and lamb feeding together, the lion eating straw like the ox—signals harmony that extends even to creation itself. The violence embedded in human systems is undone in the very patterns of nature. God’s renewal touches every layer of existence, from daily survival to cosmic order.

For Christians, this vision resonates with the eschatological hope of Revelation, where God dwells with the people and death is no more. Yet Isaiah’s promise is not limited to the end times; it is a word of encouragement for those living in despair. God is still creating, still bringing life where there has been loss, still reordering reality toward joy.

• Isaiah imagines a world where the vulnerable flourish and even natural enemies live in peace. How does this vision challenge our current assumptions about justice and peace?
• In what ways might Christians live into this vision now, embodying glimpses of the “new creation” in our communities?

Canticle 9

Canticle 9 is a hymn of confidence and thanksgiving that springs from God’s deliverance. It begins with the bold claim, “Surely, it is God who saves me; I will trust in him and not be afraid.” This is not abstract assurance but hard-won trust, born out of God’s faithfulness in times of distress. It reframes fear into confidence, not because of human strength, but because of divine constancy.

The image of “draw[ing] water… from the springs of salvation” is striking; in a land where water is precious, this metaphor conveys God’s abundance and refreshment. Salvation is not a one-time rescue but a wellspring continually available for renewal. Just as water sustains life, so God’s saving presence sustains the faithful.

The canticle moves from personal affirmation to communal proclamation: God’s deeds are to be made known among the nations. Praise becomes testimony, and joy becomes mission. Singing and shouting for joy are not private devotions but public witness that the Holy One is active and near.

Placed in the lectionary alongside Isaiah’s vision of new creation and Jesus’ words about endurance, Canticle 9 underscores that salvation is both present and future. It is a reminder that joy is not naïve optimism but a posture of trust that God is at work, even when circumstances remain difficult.

• What does the image of salvation as springs of water suggest about God’s role in sustaining us daily?
• How might public praise and testimony of God’s deeds shape the witness of a congregation today?

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Paul addresses a practical and theological concern in Thessalonica: some in the community, convinced of Christ’s imminent return, have ceased working and instead rely on others to support them. Paul counters this behavior with both teaching and example. He recalls that he and his companions worked “night and day” so as not to burden anyone, modeling self-sufficiency and mutual respect.

The stern phrase “anyone unwilling to work should not eat” must be understood in context. Paul is not dismissing the poor, the sick, or those genuinely unable to provide for themselves. Rather, he warns against those who exploit communal generosity by choosing idleness. For Paul, Christian community is sustained by mutual responsibility: the strong support the weak, but each person contributes as they are able.

This teaching holds tension with our modern context, where “work” is often tied to economic productivity and worth. Paul’s concern is not with capitalist efficiency but with maintaining a community that embodies fairness, dignity, and care. The call to avoid idleness is as much about protecting the vulnerable from exploitation as it is about instilling discipline.

The closing admonition, “do not be weary in doing what is right,” broadens the command beyond labor. It is an encouragement to persist in the life of faith, in service, and in justice—even when it is tiring or when others take advantage. Christian life is about shared responsibility, accountability, and perseverance in the common good.

• How can communities of faith balance grace for those in need with accountability for those unwilling to contribute?
• What might not growing “weary in doing what is right” look like in the life of a congregation or in your own discipleship?

Luke 21:5-19

The disciples admire the grandeur of the Jerusalem Temple, but Jesus unsettles them by predicting its destruction. His words would have been shocking: the Temple was not just a building but the center of identity, worship, and national pride. By foretelling its ruin, Jesus reframes where God’s presence and authority truly dwell.

He goes on to describe wars, natural disasters, and persecutions. These are not signs of God’s absence, but the backdrop against which faith is tested and revealed. Discipleship will mean betrayal by family, arrest by authorities, and public hostility. Yet Jesus insists these trials are opportunities for testimony. The Spirit will give his followers words and wisdom, ensuring that their witness is not in vain.

The promise “not a hair of your head will perish” is not a denial of suffering but an assurance of God’s ultimate care. Even amid violence and loss, God’s purposes endure. The call is not to predict timetables or panic over crises but to endure with faith, trusting that God’s kingdom is larger than the world’s turmoil.

For modern readers, this passage resonates in times of upheaval and conflict. Jesus does not promise safety from struggle but equips his followers with presence, wisdom, and courage. Endurance becomes the mark of discipleship—not passive waiting, but active, faithful perseverance.

• How does Jesus transform the disciples’ fear of destruction into a call to witness?
• What might endurance in faith look like in our current context of social, political, or personal turmoil?

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