COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Isaiah 49:8-18
Rejoice, for God comforts his people with deliverance. At this time the Jews are hostages in Babylon. Through Isaiah they receive a promise that they will be released to go home to Jerusalem to rebuild their nation and to re-establish their homes. What joy this good news brought them can be understood in the light of the return of the American hostages in Iraq. In the case of the Babylonian captivity, it was not the captors that released the hostages, but the merciful action of Yahweh.

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 (6-7) 8-13
Leaders of the church are stewards and servants of Christ. From the beginning of this letter, Paul has been discussing the division in the Corinthian church over partisanship in leadership. Now he comes to explain the nature …