Proper 15

Welcome Statement

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Old Testament Reading - Isaiah 56:1, 6-8

Isaiah 56:1 NRSV

Thus says the Lord: Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed.

Isaiah 56:6–8 NRSV

And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Thus says the Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered.

Old Testament Point #1

Isaiah is proclaiming a time that the people outside of Israel, people like Ruth, who have recognized YHWH, the Lord, as the one and true God, who have been joined through the covenant will go to the same holy mountain that Israelites will.

The “I will gather others to them besides thos already gathered” is the echo that Jesus points to when he speaks on the prodigal son and the shepherd going for the 1 out of 100 sheep, The God who has already proven he has gathered the lost Israelites, will also bring to this same mountain the Gentiles.

This follows a sentiment we see in Deuteronomy when the covenant is established with Moses

Deuteronomy 29:14–15 NRSV

I am making this covenant, sworn by an oath, not only with you who stand here with us today before the Lord our God, but also with those who are not here with us today.

There appears to be a progressive revelation or teasing throughout the old testament of the realization that God never intended to only be the God of the Israelites, but the Israelites were chosen to hold fast to the righteousness and purity of God, and to prepare the way for the coming of a messiah.l

Old Testament Point #2

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Old Testament Point #3

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New Testament Reading - Matthew 15:21-28

Matthew 15:10–20 NRSV

Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”

Matthew 15:21–28 NRSV

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Echoes of Ruth

Echoes the trust of Ruth, a Moabite woman, who’s care for family transcended her marital bounds and obligations

Ruth 1:16 NRSV

But Ruth said, “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God.

Another verse I heard on the radio on my way here, which, this is why I’m becoming increasingly convinced on how connected Scripture is, I had thought of Ruth this morning but I didn’t have this verse till hearing it on the radio:

Ruth 4:11 NRSV

Then all the people who were at the gate, along with the elders, said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your house like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you produce children in Ephrathah and bestow a name in Bethlehem;

Rachel & Leah, the Wives of Jacob. Who both gave birth to the children of Israel of their husband, Jacob, who was renamed Israel.

The elders are saying Ruth is like Rachel and Leah, being a blessing to Israel, as she becomes a blessing to boat

New Testament Point #2

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New Testament Point #3

Romans 11:29–32 NRSV

for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.

Closing Statement

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Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, adfs asdfa

Amen.

Doxology / Benediction / Closing

May you Have a Blessed Sunday, and rest of your Week! Amen!