Bible in a Year: Exile with the Prophets

I am still plugging along on my daily bible readings (Listenings via audible) with Father Mike Schmidt. It’s hard to pay attention to so many of the poetic writings but am thankful for the bible study recap at the end to bring it all together. I also often use AI to summarize books and ask questions to further dig into the narrative.

The catholic bible has 7 additional books that aren’t in other christian bible versions, these are called “hidden books” or “second canon”. I am not going to skim over these but here is a quick summary from AI:

1. Tobit: A narrative about faith, family loyalty, and the healing intervention of the angel Raphael.

2. Judith: The story of a courageous Jewish widow who saves her people from an invading Assyrian army.

3. Ecclesiasticus: A collection of practical ethical teachings, proverbs, and advice for daily living.

4. Baruch: A book attributed to the scribe of the prophet Jeremiah, containing prayers of repentance and reflections on wisdom.

5. 1 Maccabees: A historical account of the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid Empire and the rededication of the Temple (the origin of Hanukkah).

6. 2 Maccabees: A more theological retelling of the same period, focusing on martyrdom and the resurrection of the dead.

7. Wisdom (or The Wisdom of Solomon): A poetic book praising wisdom and righteousness, heavily influenced by Greek philosophy.

These seven books were deemed not up to the same level of meaningfulness of scripture by Martin Luther in the 1500s. Later it was fully removed from Protestant bibles from Puritans.

moving on!

Isaiah

This book is often referred to the “mini bible” for its in depth and emotionally rich books moving between intense warnings to the most hopeful passages in the bible. Isaiah is broken into 3 main sections.

1. Judgement: in the woe era, the judgement of people turning away from God and towards idolatry. In this section Isaiah predicted the Babylonian invasion and takeover.

2. COMFORT: "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God." starts off the new tone and hope for the after exile life. Isaiah 53 notoriously predicts the coming of Jesus as the '“suffering servant” who will take away the sins of the world.

3. NEW KINGDOM: the creation of a "new heavens and a new earth," where all nations (not just Israel) come to worship God, feed the hungry and end suffering. Living in a true faith.

Specific parts of this book that stood out to me are:

Isaiah 14: Like a hunted gazelle, like sheep without a shepherd, They will all return to their own people, they will flee to their native land.

This passage made me think of modern day people who flock to their own kind (modern racism). It’s comfortable to be around people like you, look like you, act and talk like you. But its so frowned upon.

Isaiah 50:10 Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God.

This passage I believe is the very one that comforted my Mother when she was terminal with cancer with a brain tumor that was supposed to make her first go blind. She never lost her sight and in these words gave her comfort. I was searching for this passage!

A simple summary of Isaiah is the humanity is broken, God is holy, judgement is real, but redemption and restoration are coming through God’s promised servant!

Jeremiah

This is one of the longest books in the bible that rivals exodus and Pslams. Jeremiah, a prophet,

I’ve heard this verse before and I love it:

Jeremiah 1:5. Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

This line also stuck with me and was wise. Father Mike put it into simpler words that you’re only ashamed when you are caught. Sounded true.

Jeremiah 2:26 - As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets.

Ezekiel

I am not going to lie, Another prophet and these books are all starting to sound the same to me.

Summarizing what I took away from Ezekiel is he was a prophet that foreshadowed the exile to babylon and the destruction of Jerusalem.

Daniel

The book of Daniel is a prophet living in the time of exile. Daniel was most known for interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon’s dreams while living in exile in a different kingdom all while trying to remain faithful.

A memorable moment in the book of DAniel was when he was thrown to the lion’s den for continuing to pray to God but he didn’t perish as God shut the lion’s mouth and ultimately spared the life of Daniel.

Daniel ends the book with multiple prophecies that reassure those who are faithful.

Proverbs

Throughout this journey Proverbs have been sprinkled in along with Pslams. Proverbs are really thought provoking tidbits. A few recents ones that stuck out to me:

13: 21-25 - Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things. A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away. Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them. The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.

this is a good teaching of parenting. Discipline is hard but necessary.

And Then,

15: 32-33 - Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

This speaks to me about the importance of accountability of ones actions and learning from the past.

I am so excited for what is next! The book of Matthew and Jesus! A breath of fresh air!