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Proper 6

Preaching
Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
1 Kings 21:1-21a
Elizabeth Achtemeier
Preaching and Reading the Old Testament Lessons:
With an Eye to the New
Israel in the Old Testament and the Christian Church are both understood in the scriptures to be the covenant people of God. As such, both of them are called by God to be his "holy nation" (Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:9). To be "holy," according to the Bible, does not mean to be morally pure, however. Rather it means to be "set apart" for God's purposes. Both Israel and the church, having entered into covenant with God, are God's "set-apart" people. As the ancient oracle of Balaam puts it, Israel is "a people dwelling alone, and not reckoning itself among the nations" (Numbers 23:9).
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 While the Prodigal Son was still far off, his father saw him, ran to him, put his arms around him and kissed him. In our worship today, let us turn to God so that he may run to us, put his arms around and kiss us.

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