Theme: The rule of God. In the Isaiah text, God rules through a heathen king, Cyrus. In the Second Lesson, he claims us through the gospel. In the Gospel Lesson, Jesus reminds us that God's rule includes the power structures of this world, yet transcends these structures.

COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Exodus 33:12-23
The Lord is still stung by the golden calf episode and is threatening to withhold his presence. Moses pleads that God would go with him and the people as they made their way to the Promised Land. Their uniqueness as a people lay in the fact that they were God's unique people. Moses finds favor with the Lord and requests that he might see the glory of God. God promises that he could see his glory from behind, as the Lord passed by.

Old Testament: Isaiah 45:1-7
God calls and uses…