August 6, 2026
Why “go to church”? Or, better, why participate in the assembly of fellow-believers? Psalm 40 provides a response. We go to tell the story, to proclaim the good news of God’s righteousness, God’s saving work. To rehearse the story of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. We go to present our living sacrifices to the Lord […]
No Comments » | 
Biblical Texts | Tagged: Assembly, Church, Hebrews 10:5-7, Hesed, Lament, Psalm 40, Sacrifices, Steadfast Love, Waiting, Worship | 
Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
March 21, 2013
This text begins the third major section of Amos. In the first section (Amos 1-2) the prophet addressed eight nations and climaxed his message with an extended application to Israel. In the second section (Amos 3:1-5:17) the prophet declares the word of the Lord in three brief speeches (“hear this word” in 3:1, 4:1 and […]
No Comments » | Biblical Texts | Tagged: Amos, Amos 5:18-27, Assembly, Bible-Amos, justice, Music, Poor, Righteousness, Sacraments, Sacrifices, Worship | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
July 12, 2012
Some seventy years, more or less, after the rebuilding of the temple, Malachi directs his attention to the priests of the Second Temple. Twice, in Malachi 1:6-2:9, addresses them directly which the NRSV translates as a vocative, that is, “O Priests” (1:6; 2:1). This divides Malachi’s oracle for the priests into two obvious sections (1:6-14 […]
2 Comments | Biblical Texts | Tagged: Communion, Eucharist, Malachi 1:6-14, Prophets, Sacrifices, Table of the Lord | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks