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

  • Revelation 7:9–17
    Party Episode: Hebrew Bible Scholars Read Revelation!

    Lectionary Date: May 11, 2025 [4th Sunday of Easter, Year C]

    All four of us are together to celebrate Easter with a look at the gathered multitudes in Revelation 7. What happens when Hebrew Bible scholars read Revelation???

    40 min
  • Revelation 5:11–14
    Hebrew Bible Scholars Read Revelation!

    Lectionary Date: May 4, 2025 [3rd Sunday of Easter, Year C]

    Tim explores the upside down imagery and symbolism of Revelation's slain lamb.

    18 min
  • Revelation 1:4–8
    Hebrew Bible Scholars Read Revelation!

    Lectionary Date: April 27, 2025 [2nd Sunday of Easter, Year C]

    We begin a new Easter series on Revelation (the lectionary omits Old Testament readings during Easter, grrrr). Rachel gives us the scoop on context!

    20 min
  • Isaiah 65:17–25
    New Creation!

    Lectionary Date: April 20, 2025 [Easter Sunday, Year C]

    What? Preach from the Old Testament on Easter Sunday?! Tim digs into this prophetic poem all about new creation.

    20 min
  • Luke 19:28–40
    Ominous Praise

    Lectionary Date: April 13, 2025 [Palm/Passion Sunday, Year C]

    Rachel goes directly to the Gospel reading this week (she promises she is still a Hebrew Bible scholar!).

    18 min
  • Isaiah 43:16–21
    Lent Party!

    Lectionary Date: April 6, 2025 [5th Sunday in Lent, Year C]

    For the 5th Sunday in Lent, we have a party episode to explore God's renewal bursting forth.

    27 min
  • Joshua 5:1–9
    It's About the Community

    Lectionary Date: March 30, 2025 [4th Sunday in Lent, Year C]

    Paul highlights the communal nature of this scene on the west bank of the Jordan River.

    25 min
  • Isaiah 55:1–9
    Hoi! Listen Up: It's a Message of Generosity

    Lectionary Date: March 23, 2025 [3rd Sunday in Lent, Year C]

    Rosy digs into the covenantal flavor of Isaiah's soaring prophetic song.

    22 min
  • Deuteronomy 26:1–11
    My Ancester was a Perishing Aramean

    Lectionary Date: March 9, 2025 [First Sunday in Lent, Year C]

    Rosy explores the firstfruits liturgy from Deuteronomy—but stick around for her masterful connection to the temptation scene in Luke's Gospel!

    26 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…