First Reading

First Reading

By Rev. Rachel Wrenn, PhD; Rosy Kandathil, JD; Paul Essah, MDiv; Tim McNinch, PhDReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
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First Reading episodes

  • Isaiah 50:4–9a
    The Tongue of a Learner

    Lectionary Date: September 12, 2021 [16th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]

    Tim sets his face like flint to offer a nonviolent interpretation of this famous text!

    18 min
  • Proverbs 22:1–2, 8–9, 22–23
    The Sharing is the Blessing

    Lectionary Date: September 5, 2021 [15th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]

    Rachel gives an overview of wisdom literature, and tackles the prosperity gospel—all in one episode!

    14 min
  • 1 Kings 2:10–12; 3:3–14
    Lead With a Listening Heart

    Lectionary Date: August 15, 2021 [12th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]

    Tim traces the two perspectives on Solomon and finds a key leadership skill.

    11 min
  • 1 Kings 19:4–8
    Eat or the Journey Will Be Too Much

    Lectionary Date: August 8, 2021 [11th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]

    Rachel cautions against an overly psychological interpretation of Elijah's depressed state.

    16 min
  • 2 Samuel 11:26–12:13a, with Sara Kipfer
    You Are the Man!

    Lectionary Date: August 1, 2021 [10th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]

    The David and Bathsheba story is complex. And it's challenging to know what to make of the way the story plays out when David is confronted with his sin. Fortunately, we have a leading Samuel scholar to help walk through the text with us! Dr. Sara Kipfer teaches Old Testament at Heidelberg University, Germany. She has written extensively on emotions in the ancient near east, in the Bible, and in the artistic reception of the Bible. She has also engaged deeply with the book of Samuel in her book, David Under Threat (German), which is extremely relevant to our discussion here (you can find an English summary here).

    32 min
  • 2 Kings 4:42–44
    Eat and Have Leftovers

    Lectionary Date: July 25, 2021 [9th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]

    Tim has some thoughts about the miraculous feeding of the... one-hundred?

    16 min
  • Jeremiah 23:1–6
    What does a "Good Shepherd" actually do?

    Lectionary Date: July 18, 2021 [8th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]

    Rachel reflects on the way leaders are meant to care for the most vulnerable.

    13 min
  • 2 Samuel 6:1–5, 12b–19
    Don't Skip Uzzah!

    Lectionary Date: July 11, 2021 [7th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]

    Tim highlights the way that Uzzah changes everything in this passage.

    17 min

About First Reading

From the publisher's feed

First Reading offers exegetical resources for the Old Testament Lectionary reading each week. Dr. Rachel Wrenn is Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Trinity Lutheran Seminary (Capital…