Readings:
Isaiah 63-64
Proverbs 28
Romans 16

Isaiah 63-64

Isaiah is echoing the sentiments of the righteous Israelites that are left, though they are few. He is begging God to finally come in judgment like he’s promised to do, because he knows that after that comes healing and mercy. He knows that the judgment will be horrible and painful, but it will not last forever and he desires the nation to be reconciled to God and that can’t happen without a cleansing. It’s like purgatory and the fire that purifies us there. See Purgatory; A Cleansing Fire

Romans 16

Paul asks that Phoebe, an assistant of his and fellow believer, be welcomed by the Roman church and given assistance in her ministry by the community. And he greets 26 other people by name, some are acquaintances of his and some were partners in his ministries in various cities across the empire. The thing that really stands out in his list of people is the variety in the names, some Hebrew, some Greek and some Latin. All were welcome to serve with Paul and be his partner in the ministry of the Gospel regardless of nationality or ethnicity.

In his final instructions, Paul recommends that they take note of people who cause division and don’t listen to the teachings of the church. These divisive people should be avoided to keep the peace but also to prevent schisms and heresy from breaking out.

And the letter closes with a phrase that also opened it. Paul talks of the “obedience of faith” and that’s the bookends and pillar of this whole epistle. This form of faith is more than just intellectual assent, it’s an allegiance to the truth and an active faith that lives out the teachings to which it believes.

Readings:
Isaiah 65-66
Proverbs 29