000 Allen FMT (i-xxii) - The Presbyterian Leader

stand why judgment has fallen upon them (28:7–8). Second, as in
Deuteronomy 18:15–20, the word of a true prophet, whether a word of
judgment or salvation, comes true (Jer. 28:9). The latter criterion worked
fairly quickly in Jeremiah’s favor. After a face-off, Jeremiah predicted that
Hananiah would die “within this year,” and sure enough, “in the seventh
month, Hananiah died” (28:12–16).
In retrospect, it is easy to villainize Hananiah and lionize Jeremiah.
However, had today’s congregation been in the Temple, they might have
had difficulty deciding which message to believe. We consider criteria for
distinguishing true and false prophets in Proper 15/Year C.
The calling of the prophet was to assess the relationship of the behavior
of the community to God’s purposes revealed in the covenant, and to
speak a word of challenge or judgment when the community was falling
short of those purposes. The prophet could speak a word of salvation
when the community doubted that God would ultimately fulfill the
promises that God had made to Sarah and Abraham. Although Jeremiah
is right that, on balance, the classical prophets spoke more of judgment
than of salvation, there are times when a community’s failure is not moral
turpitude but failure to believe the promises of God. The prophet speaks
a word of hope to the latter community.
The text from Jeremiah is paired with Matthew 10:40–42. The context
of the latter text is conflict between the followers of Jesus and those who
oppose the idea that Jesus and the disciples are harbingers of the divine
realm (Matt. 10:16–39). Matthew 10:40–42 shifts focus to those who welcome
followers of Jesus (especially missionaries). Those who welcome
prophets receive a prophet’s reward. The prophets here are community
members who receive and transmit messages from the risen Jesus concerning
how to live from the perspective of the realm of God. The
prophet’s reward is to live in that realm.
Proper 9 [14]/Year A
Proper 9 [14]/Year A 57
Genesis 24:34–38, 42–49, 58–67+ (Semicontinuous)
As Genesis 24 opens, the promise to Sarah and Abraham is imperiled
because Isaac, the only heir, does not have a spouse. Abraham sent a servant
to Canaan to find a spouse for Isaac (but not a Canaanite spouse)
(Gen. 24:1–9; cf. Deut. 7:1–6; Josh. 23:12–13).
With an angel for providential guidance, the servant went to Canaan
with a bride price as well as gifts, and waited at a well. The woman who