Selected passages from the sacred history of the Old and New Testaments with edifying reflections

The work “Selected Passages from the Sacred History of the Old and New Testaments with Edifying Reflections” is a collection of spiritual and moral teachings of St. Philaret of Moscow (Drozdov), based on biblical stories. Each chapter of the book begins with a retelling of a biblical event, followed by a detailed edifying reflection, in which the saint reveals the hidden spiritual meaning of what happened and shows how biblical examples can be applied in the life of a Christian. The essay examines both the most important events of the Old Testament - from the creation of the world to the prophecies about the Messiah, and key episodes from the life of Jesus Christ and the apostles in the New Testament. The topics of spiritual teachings are different: - faith and obedience to God: the exploits of Abraham, Moses, Job, Daniel and other righteous men of the Old Testament are presented as an example of unshakable faith, humility and trust in Divine Providence; - punishment and mercy of God: in the stories of the punishment of sinners (Nebuchadnezzar, Ahaab, Sodom and Gomorrah) and the salvation of the repentant (David, the Ninevites) the justice of God and His readiness for forgiveness are shown; - the power of prayer and reconciliation with God: the examples of Jephthah, Samuel, Mordecai, Esther emphasize the power of righteous prayer and intercession before God; - virtue and sin in people’s lives: through the images of Sampson and Delilah, Solomon and Jezebel, David and Nathan, the author shows how passions and weaknesses can destroy a person and how important repentance is; - symbolism and theological types: many persons of the Old Testament (Joseph, Jonah, Moses) appear as prototypes of Christ, and events as shadows of New Testament mysteries (for example, the ark of Noah as a symbol of the Church, manna from heaven as an anticipation of the sacrament of the Eucharist); - the path of discipleship and apostleship: the New Testament examines in detail the miracles and preaching of Christ, His suffering and Resurrection, as well as the life and Acts of the Apostles - as an example of service to God and neighbor. Contents Selected passages from the sacred history of the Old Testament Creation of the world Edifying reflections The Fall of the first parents and its first consequences Edifying reflections The Flood Edifying reflections The Sacrifice of Noah Edifying reflections The migration of Abraham Edifying reflections Abraham and the three strangers Edifying reflections Sarah and Hagar Edifying reflections The expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael Edifying reflections Hagar and Ishmael in desert Edifying reflections Sacrifice of Abraham Edifying reflections Eliezer and Rebecca Edifying reflections Isaac blesses Jacob Edifying reflections Jacob's return from Mesopotamia Edifying reflections Joseph sold to his brothers Edifying reflections Joseph explains the dreams of Pharaoh Edifying reflections Joseph's meeting with his brothers Edifying reflections Jacob's meeting with Joseph Edifying reflections Jacob blesses the children of Joseph Edifying Reflections Job Edifying Reflections The Rescue of Moses from the Waters of the Nile Edifying Reflections Moses' Flight from Egypt to the Land of Midian Edifying Reflections Manna in the Wilderness Edifying Reflections Moses Brings Out Water from the Stone Edifying Reflections The Tablets of the Law Edifying Reflections The Golden Calf Edifying Reflections The Bronze Serpent Edifying Reflections Caleb Edifying Reflections Punishment Acharah Edifying Reflections Jephthah's Daughter Edifying Reflections Delilah Betrays Sampson Edifying Reflections Boaz and Ruth Edifying Reflections Eli and Samuel Edifying Reflections The Overthrow of the Idol of Dagon Edifying Reflections David Playing the Harp Drives away Saul's Anguish Edifying Reflections David's Victory over Goliath Edifying Reflections David and Nathan Edifying Reflections David and Abigail Edifying Reflections The Plague in the Kingdom of David Edifying Reflections The Wisdom of Solomon Edifying Reflections The Glory of Solomon Edifying Reflections Solomon's Idolatry Edifying Reflections Achaab and Jezebel Edifying Reflections Elisha and the Somanite Woman Edifying Reflections The Anointing of Joash and His Elevation to the Kingdom Edifying Reflections Tobit Edifying Reflections The Vision of Belshazzar Edifying Reflections Esther and Ahasuerus Edifying Reflections Honors Given to Mordecai Edifying Reflections Daniel in the Lion's Den Edifying Reflections Elder Eleazar and the Seven Maccabean Brothers Edifying Reflections Selected Passages from the Sacred History of the New Testament St. The Virgin Mary Visits Elizabeth Edifying Reflections The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Edifying Reflections The Adoration of the Magi Edifying Reflections The Presentation of the Lord Edifying Reflections The Holy Family Edifying Reflections The Flight into Egypt Edifying Reflections The Massacre of the Innocents Edifying Reflections Jesus Among the Teachers Edifying Reflections Sermon of St. John the Baptist Edifying Reflections John baptizes and teaches those who come to him Edifying Reflections The Testimony of John the Baptist Edifying Reflections The Temptation of Jesus Christ in the Wilderness Edifying Reflections Jesus Christ Drives the Sellers Out of the Church Edifying Reflections Jesus and the Samaritan Woman Edifying Reflections The Miraculous Fishing Edifying Reflections Healing on the Sabbath Day Edifying Reflections Jesus Heals the Paralytic Edifying Reflections Taming the Storm Edifying Reflections Reflections Healing the Bleeding Woman Edifying Reflections The Beheading of John the Baptist Edifying Reflections Jesus Christ Healing the Sick Edifying Reflections Canaanite Woman at the Feet of Jesus Christ Edifying Reflections Transfiguration Edifying Reflections Good Samaritan Edifying Reflections Jesus Christ in the House of Martha and Mary Edifying Reflections The Wife Convicted of Adultery Edifying Reflections The Prodigal Son Edifying Reflections Jesus Blessing children Edifying reflections Workers in the vineyard Edifying reflections Jesus raises Lazarus Edifying reflections Mary's chrism Edifying reflections The triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem Edifying reflections Denarius with the image of Caesar Edifying reflections Jesus predicts the destruction of Jerusalem Edifying reflections Jesus washes the feet of his disciples Edifying reflections The Supper of Our Lord Edifying reflections Behold the man! Crucify him! Edifying Reflections Jesus Carrying His Cross Edifying Reflections The Great Sacrifice of Calvary Edifying Reflections The Holy Wives in the Tomb of Jesus Christ Edifying Reflections The Risen Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene Edifying Reflections The Disciples Walking to Emmaus Edifying Reflections The Unbelief of St. Thomas Edifying Reflections The Sermon of St. Peter Edifying Reflections Sapphira Stricken by Death Edifying Reflections The Conversion of the Saint Paul Edifying reflections St. Peter resurrects Tabitha Edifying reflections St. Paul before Festus and Agrippa Edifying reflections You might be interested in: