Judith; 1 Cor 2:10-11; Gen 27; Gen 28; Ruth; Judges 4. The book of Judith has always been included in the extended collection of the Orthodox church, though some notable Church fathers questioned its inspiration. In comparison to the other Readable books, it was not studied extensively by Church fathers in terms of commentary andContinue reading “Light From (and Upon) the Readable Books 11: Judith the Wise”
Category Archives: A Lamp for Today
Light from the Readable Books 10: Prophecy and Prayer in Tobit
Tobit, Amos 8:10, Daniel 3:51-90, Revelation 21:18-21 The book of Tobit, with all its action and suspense, is studded with poignant prophecies and prayers. Its first section includes a pessimistic prophecy of Amos, and the book concludes with the hopeful prophecy of Tobit as his last will and testament. Throughout the narrative, key figures likeContinue reading “Light from the Readable Books 10: Prophecy and Prayer in Tobit”
Light From (and Upon) the Readable Books 9; Tobit: The Angel, the Dog, and the Humans
The book of Tobit, among the Old Testament Readables, instructs us even by means of its title, which is taken from the name of the father in the story. Tobit means “my good,” and his name is expanded in the name of Tobias, his son, which means “God is my good.” Throughout this engaging story,Continue reading “Light From (and Upon) the Readable Books 9; Tobit: The Angel, the Dog, and the Humans”
Light From (and Upon) the Readable Books 8: Misinformation, Decrees, and the Life of Leaders
Esther 3:13a-g, 5:1-13 LXX, 8:12a-i; Psalm 85/6; Phil 2:-11; 1 Timothy 2:1-4 We have seen already how the LXX version of Esther makes God the main character, with Mordecai’s initial vision and closing interpretation, and with the poignant prayers of both Mordecai and Esther as the action heats up. Our final episode on Esther continuesContinue reading “Light From (and Upon) the Readable Books 8: Misinformation, Decrees, and the Life of Leaders”
Light From (and Upon) the Readable Books 7: Esther’s Humility and God’s Rescue
Esther 4:17a-x, Psalm 1, Psalm 150-151, Daniel 3:2-45; 2 Kings/4 Kingdoms 19:14-19, Nehemiah 1:5-11 From the early days of the Church, the righteous Esther has been put forth as an example of both courage and humility. The first century father Clement of Rome, exclaimed: Many women, fortified by the grace of God, have accomplished manyContinue reading “Light From (and Upon) the Readable Books 7: Esther’s Humility and God’s Rescue”
A new podcast on The Transfigured Life”-Why we should read “the Readable Books”
Why read what Orthodox call “the Readable Books?”
Light From (and Upon) the Readable Books 6: Esther had a Good Dragon before Pete
Esther 1:1a-1l; 10:3a-3k (Epilogue); Job 40-41; Daniel 1, 7-8, Luke 1:46-55, Rev. 12, Psalm 15 LXX/16MT: 5-7. Clearly I am dating myself when the Prologue and Epilogue to Septuagint Esther send me back to the time when my children were little, and encountered Elliott, that ridiculous green-scaled, pink-haired monster, who elicits from the orphan PeteContinue reading “Light From (and Upon) the Readable Books 6: Esther had a Good Dragon before Pete”
Light From (and Upon) the Readable Books 5: Bel, the Dragon, and the King
Bel and the Dragon (appendix to Daniel), Jeremiah 50:2 (LXX 27:2), Jer 51:44 (LXX 28:44), Habakkuk 2:4, 1 Cor 10:19-20. The story of Bel and the Dragon, found as an appendix to the book of Daniel, is perhaps the “hardest sell” of the Readable Books (Apocrypha/Deuterocanon) for those who do not have it in theirContinue reading “Light From (and Upon) the Readable Books 5: Bel, the Dragon, and the King”
Light From (and Upon) the Readable Books 4: Susanna and the Enemies Within
Daniel Prologue or chapter 13 (dependent upon version), Daniel 3:17-18, Romans 4, Psalm 3:1-4. The story of Susanna contains all the things that are delightful in the Readable Books. It is a story that engages the mind, the imagination, and the spirit; from the beginning it has been attached to the mysterious book of Daniel. Continue reading “Light From (and Upon) the Readable Books 4: Susanna and the Enemies Within”
Light From (and Upon) the Readable Books 3: Blessed art Thou
Daniel 3:51-90; 1 Peter 3:18-20 One of the most beloved songs from the Bible, used in worship throughout the centuries is the hymn known in the Western Church as Benedicte es (“Blessed art thou”) or in the East as the Song of the Three. Sung by the faithful three from the fiery furnace, it isContinue reading “Light From (and Upon) the Readable Books 3: Blessed art Thou”
Edith M. Humphrey 