Scripture Study for

This oracle from Jeremiah draws on wisdom motifs to warn the people about relying on foreign powers protect them from external enemies. A contrast is drawn between those who act foolishly  (who are “cursed”) and those who act wisely (who are “blessed”). Those who act foolishly follow the ways of the world, relying on political and military alliances, for example, to see them through difficult times, rather than turning first to their God. For Jeremiah, this is manifest infidelity to the covenant relationship, the result of which is never good. On the other hand, those who see first to their relationship with God can be assured that all they need to survive and thrive will be theirs, if only they will trust. 

Paul has reminded the Corinthians that Christ was raised from the dead. Nevertheless, it appears that at least some of them do not even believe in the resurrection of the dead. Somehow, they become Christians without accepting this indispensable feature of Christian faith. Paul points out to them that if there is no such thing as resurrection, then Jesus was not raised from the dead,  rendering everything about their Christian faith pointless. Because their sins have not been forgiven, and they have no hope for life with God after this life, they are the most misguided and “pitiable”  people imaginable. The foundation of the entire Christian life is the resurrection of Christ, without which none of it stands or even makes sense. 

In the Beatitudes, Jesus draws on traditional wisdom forms to teach what makes one “blessed” and what doesn’t. Blessedness is traditionally seen in prosperity, comfort, and good social relations.  Jesus does not deny this, but he insists that the seeds of such blessedness mysteriously lie in their opposites for those who are faithful to God (as were the prophets). Thus, those who suffer now in faith are in fact already blessed. On the other hand, those who are now comfortable and prosperous are in spiritual danger, because their current “blessedness” is deceptive, carrying as it does the seeds of destruction if it is allowed to impede or divert from living within the will of God.