Bible Studies

RCL: Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 22:34-46 Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Moses’ story ends with God showing him the Promised Lan,d even though Moses would “not cross over there.” The statement is traditionally considered a reminder of the punishment at the Waters of Meribah (cf. Numbers 20:1-13). Even with this reminder of punishment,…

RCL: Exodus 33:12-23; Psalm 99; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:15-22 Exodus 33:12-23 Earlier in this chapter, we learn that God commanded Moses to close up camp at Mount Sinai and led the Israelites to the “land of milk and honey,” but that God would not go with them. Moses is anxious and the Israelites are…

RCL: Exodus 32:1-14; Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Philippians 4:1-9; Matthew 22:1-14 Exodus 32:1-14 The Golden Calf account is one of those stories that anyone familiar with the Bible knows – or at least, claims to know! This near-ubiquitous familiarity may be due in part to the many pop culture references made to this story – or…

RCL: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Psalm 19; Philippians 3:4b-14; Matthew 21:33-46 Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 There’s something about the Ten Commandments that engages my Inner Child. Not a fun, playful Inner Child, but a child who is very keenly invested in rules: Children naturally are interested in rulemaking, rule-keeping, and rule-enforcement. When I read the…

RCL: Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32 Exodus 17:1-7 Once again, the Israelites are complaining to Moses about their circumstances. In spite of the 10 plagues; in spite of their deliverance on the shores of the Red Sea; in spite of the manna and quails that God had recently rained down from…

RCL: Exodus 16:2-15; Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45; Philippians 1:21-30; Matthew 20:1-16 Exodus 16:2-15 At first glance, we might sympathize with the murmuring Israelites. After all, we need food to survive, and we have likely all been “hangry” once or twice. Yet the murmuring of the Israelites is not simply about their lack of food; it is…

RCL: Exodus 14:19-31; Psalm 114 or Exodus 15:1b-11,20-21; Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35 Exodus 14:19-31 Who went into the Red Sea first? According to Jewish midrash (a narrative interpretation that is meant to stand alongside Scripture – think Ancient Near Eastern fanfiction), the sea did not automatically part for the people of Israel when they came…

RCL: Exodus 12:1-14; Psalm 149; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20 Exodus 12:1-14 Social justice. If one were to place the Book of Exodus into a literary category, the category of social justice might fit. In fact, the Bible in its entirety might well fit into that category. Social justice literature explores social issues, their histories, their…