SEPTEMBER 2006
September 1—Joshua
Joshua, the son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim, is first mentioned in Exodus 17 when he was chosen by Moses to fight the Amalakites, whom he defeated in a brilliant military victory. He was placed in charge of the Tent of Meeting (Ex. 33:11) and was a member of the tribal representatives sent to survey the land of Canaan (Num 13:8). Later, he was appointed by God to succeed Moses as Israel’s commander-in-chief. He eventually led the Israelites across the Jordan River into the Promised Land and directed the Israelites’ capture of Jericho. He is remembered especially for his final address to the Israelites, in which he challenged them to serve God faithfully (Josh 24:1-27), concluding with memorable words, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (24:15)
September 2—Hannah
Hannah was the favored wife of Elkanah, the Ephraimite, and the devout mother of the prophet Samuel. He was born to her after years of bitter barrenness (1 Sam. 1:6-8) and fervent prayers for a son (1:9-18). After she weaned her son, Hannah expressed her gratitude by returning him for service in the House of the Lord at Shiloh (1:24-28). Her prayer (psalm) of thanksgiving (2:1-10) begins with the words, “My heart exults in the Lord, my strength is exalted in the Lord.” [ESV] This song foreshadows the Magnificat, the Song of Mary centuries later (Lk. 1:46-55). The name Hannah derives from the Hebrew word for “grace.” She is remembered and honored for joyfully having kept the vow she made before her son’s birth and offering him for lifelong service to God.
September 3—Gregory the Great, Pastor
One of the great leaders in Europe at the close of the sixth century, Gregory (ca. 540-604 A.D.) served in both the secular and sacred arenas of his era. As mayor of Rome, he restored economic vitality to his native city, which had been weakened by enemy invasions, pillage, and plaque. After he sold his extensive properties and donated the proceeds to help the poor, he entered into full-time service in the Church. On September 3, 590 A.D., Gregory was elected to lead the church in Rome. As Bishop of Rome he oversaw changes and growth in the areas of church music and liturgical development, missionary outreach to northern Europe, and the establishment of a church-year calendar still used by many churches in western World today. His book on pastoral care became a standard until the 20th century.
September 4—Moses
Moses was born in Egypt several generations after Joseph brought his father Jacob and his brothers there to escape a famine in the land of Canaan. The descendants of Jacob had been enslaved by Egyptians and were ordered to kill all their male children. When Moses was born his mother put him in a basket and set it afloat in the Nile River. He was found by Pharaoh’s daughter and raised by her as her son (Ex. 2:1-10). At age 40 Moses killed and Egyptian taskmaster and fled to the land of Midian, where he worked as shepherd for forty years. Then the Lord called him to go back to Egypt and tell Pharaoh, “Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.” (5:1) Eventually Pharaoh gave in and, after the Israelites celebrated the first Passover, Moses led them out. At the Red Sea the Egyptian army was destroyed and the Israelites passed to safety on dry land. (Ex. 12-15) At Mount Sinai they were given the law and erected the Tabernacle. (EX 19-40) But because of disobedience they had to wander in the wildness for forty years. Moses himself was not allowed to enter the Promised Land, although God allowed him to view it. (DT. 34) In the New Testament Moses is referred to as lawgiver and prophet. The first five books of Bible are attributed to him.
September 5—Zechariah and Elizabeth
Zechariah and Elizabeth were “righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord.” (Lk. 1:6) Zechariah, a priest in the Jerusalem temple, was greeted by the angel Gabriel who announced that Zechariah and Elizabeth would become parents of a son. Initially Zechariah did not believe Gabriel’s announcement because of their old age. For his disbelief, Zechariah became unable to speak. After their son was born, Elizabeth named her son John. Zechariah confirmed his wife’s choice and his ability to speak was restored. In response he sand the Benedictus, a magnificent summary of God’s promises in the Old Testament and a prediction of John’s work as forerunner to Jesus. (Lk. 1:68-79) Zechariah and Elizabeth are remembered as examples of faithfulness and piety.
September 16—Cyprian of Carthage, Pastor and Martyr
Cyprian ( ca. 200-258 A.D.), was acclaimed bishop to the north African city in Carthage around 248. During the persecution of the roman Emperor Decius, Cyprian fled Carthage but returned two years later. He was the forced to deal with the problem of Christians who had lapsed from their faith under persecution and now wanted to return to the Church. It was decided that these lapsed Christians could be restored but that their restoration could take place only after a period of penance that demonstrated their faithfulness. During the persecution under Emperor Valerian, Cyprian at first went into hiding but later gave himself up to the authorities. He was beheaded for the faith in Carthage in the year 258.
September 22—Jonah
A singular prophet among the many in the Old Testament, Jonah the son of Amittai was born about an hour’s walk from the town of Nazareth. The focus of his prophetic ministry was the call to preach at Nineveh, the capital of pagan Assyria. (Jonah 1:1) His reluctance to respond and God’s insistence that his call be heeded is the story of the book that bears Jonah’s name. Although the swallowing and disgorging of Jonah by the great fish is the most remembered detail of his life, it is addressed in only three verses of the book. (1L17; 2:1,10) Throughout the book, the important theme is God deals compassionately with sinners. Jonah’s three-day sojourn in the belly of the fish is mentioned by Jesus as a sign of his own death, burial, and resurrection. (Mt. 12:39-41)
September 30—Jerome, Translator of Holy Scripture
Jerome was born in a little village on the Adriatic Sea around the year 345 A.D. At a young age he went to study in Rome, where he was Baptized. After extensive travels, he chose the life of a monk and spent five years in the Syrian desert. There he learned Hebrew, the language of the Old Testament. After ordination at Antioch and visits to Rome and Constantinople, Jerome settled in Bethlehem. Rom the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, he used his ability with languages to translate the Bible into Latin, the common language of his time. This translation, called the Vulgate, was the authoritative version of the Bible in the western Church world for over 1,000 years. Considered one of the great scholars of the early church, Jerome died on September 30, 420. He was originally interred at Bethlehem but his remains were eventually taken to Rome.
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