The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Thursday, September 21, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45; Exodus 15:22-27; 2 Corinthians 13:1-4
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45
Remembering the wilderness

The verses from Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 are a call to worship and remember the Lord’s wondrous deeds and faithfulness towards the people of Israel, from the covenant with Abraham to the exodus from Egypt and provision in the wilderness. The verses highlight God's power, justice, and compassion, and invite people to seek His presence continuously.

Give thanks to the LORD and call upon his Name; *
  make known his deeds among the peoples.

Sing to him, sing praises to him, *
  and speak of all his marvelous works.

Glory in his holy Name; *
  let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

Search for the LORD and his strength; *
  continually seek his face.

Remember the marvels he has done, *
  his wonders and the judgments of his mouth,

O offspring of Abraham his servant, *
  O children of Jacob his chosen.

He led out his people with silver and gold; *
  in all their tribes there was not one that stumbled.

Egypt was glad of their going, *
  because they were afraid of them.

He spread out a cloud for a covering *
  and a fire to give light in the night season.

They asked, and quails appeared, *
  and he satisfied them with bread from heaven.

He opened the rock, and water flowed, *
  so the river ran in the dry places.

For God remembered his holy word *
  and Abraham his servant.

So he led forth his people with gladness, *
  his chosen with shouts of joy.

He gave his people the lands of the nations, *
  and they took the fruit of others’ toil,

That they might keep his statutes *
  and observe his laws.

Hallelujah!

Dear Father in heaven, we thank you for sending down powers from on high into our earthly life. We thank you for sending us a higher nature in which we can live for others because we are living by what we receive from you. May we be simple, childlike, and trusting. When anyone despairs of himself, show him the way to the Savior so that he can find trust. Show to us the way of trust, trust for ourselves and for all people, because it is your will for all to receive help. Amen. Be with us today and every day in Jesus Christ, Who taught us to pray:

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

Exodus 15:22-27
Bitter water made sweet

The passage from Exodus 15:22-27 describes a pivotal moment for the Israelites just after their miraculous escape from Egypt through the Red Sea. It's a story of contrasts that speaks to human despair, divine provision, and covenant faithfulness.

Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, 'What are we to drink?'

Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.

There the Lord issued a decree and a law for them, and there he tested them. He said, 'If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.'

Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.

Commentary

1. Initial Triumph to Struggle: This narrative begins after the great triumph of crossing the Red Sea. From this peak experience, the Israelites quickly find themselves in a difficult situation—three days of traveling in a desert with no water. The abrupt transition highlights the unpredictability and difficulty inherent in the wilderness journey.

2. Marah: Bitter Waters and Bitter Hearts: The waters at Marah are undrinkable, leading to more despair among the Israelites. Their grumbling against Moses is not merely an expression of discomfort but signifies a broader loss of faith and trust. They forgot God's recent miracles and provisions.

3. Moses' Dependence on God: Moses' immediate reaction is to cry out to the Lord. Unlike the Israelites, his instinct is to turn to God for a solution. His prayer is promptly answered with an unconventional remedy—a piece of wood to purify the water. This act demonstrates God's power to transform not only physical situations but also metaphoric bitterness into sweetness.

4. Divine Test and Covenant: God introduces the experience as a test and a lesson. God issues a decree promising freedom from diseases if the Israelites follow His laws. It is both an assurance and an expectation, a promise grounded in covenant faithfulness.

5. From Scarcity to Abundance: Finally, the Israelites arrive at Elim, a place of abundant water and shade. This transition from Marah to Elim exemplifies the ups and downs of the spiritual journey, while also emphasizing God's capability to provide abundantly.

6. Symbolism of Numbers: The twelve springs and seventy palm trees also carry symbolic weight, as twelve is often associated with the tribes of Israel, and seventy is a number of completion and divine order (as seen with the seventy elders of Israel later on).

7. The Lord Who Heals: One of the most powerful aspects of this passage is the self-description God provides: "I am the Lord, who heals you." It is not only a promise of physical well-being but a declaration that encompasses spiritual, emotional, and communal healing as well.

This passage, therefore, serves as a microcosm of the Israelites’ entire wilderness experience. It presents a narrative filled with despair, provision, testing, and ultimately, divine faithfulness, reminding the reader of the complexities and depths of a life journey with God.

2 Corinthians 13:1-4
Dissent among believers

The passage from 2 Corinthians 13:1-4 is often seen as a conclusion to Paul's second letter to the Corinthian church. In it, Paul is wrapping up his arguments and preparing to come to Corinth to resolve the issues he has been discussing throughout the letter.

This will be my third visit to you. 'Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return, I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.

Commentary

1. Third Visit and Legal Principle: Paul opens by indicating that his upcoming trip will be his third visit. He then cites a principle from Deuteronomy 19:15 about establishing every matter by the testimony of two or three witnesses. This alludes to the need for adequate evidence and impartial judgment, both in legal contexts and in matters concerning the church.

2. Warning and Accountability: Paul emphasizes that he's already warned the Corinthians about their sinful behaviors and disputes. Now, he reiterates the warning, stating his commitment to not sparing those who have sinned. His stern language is rooted in pastoral concern and underscores the gravity of the issues plaguing the Corinthian church.

3. The Proof of Christ's Power: The Corinthians have been questioning Paul's authority and doubting whether he genuinely represents Christ. Paul challenges this skepticism by stating that if they're demanding proof of Christ speaking through him, they should be prepared for the powerful action that will come with it.

4. Paradox of Weakness and Power: Paul concludes with a theological paradox. He points out that Christ was crucified in weakness but lives by God's power. This paradox is not just applicable to Christ but extends to all believers, including Paul himself. Though they may appear weak, their actions are backed by the extraordinary power of God. This serves as a reminder that spiritual authority and power often manifest in ways that defy worldly expectations.

Paul's words serve as a caution and a call for self-examination for the Corinthians but are equally relevant to contemporary readers. This passage reminds us that spiritual leadership requires the courage to hold people accountable while also acknowledging one's own weaknesses. It emphasizes the necessity of grounding any form of judgment or correction in established, collective discernment ("two or three witnesses").

Moreover, it underscores the paradoxical nature of Christian power—expressed in apparent weakness but rooted in divine strength. This sets the stage for the believer's journey, one that is likely to involve tensions between appearance and reality, and between human frailty and divine empowerment.

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Responsive Readings from the Common Book of Prayer (1789).

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Thursday, September 21, 2023
Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45; Exodus 15:22-27; 2 Corinthians 13:1-4

The verses from the Psalms are a call to worship and remember the Lord’s wondrous deeds and faithfulness towards the people of Israel, from the covenant with Abraham to the exodus from Egypt and provision in the wilderness. The verses highlight God's power, justice, and compassion, and invite people to seek His presence continuously.
The passage from Exodus describes a pivotal moment for the Israelites just after their miraculous escape from Egypt through the Red Sea. It's a story of contrasts that speaks to human despair, divine provision, and covenant faithfulness.
The passage from 2 Corinthians is often seen as a conclusion to Paul's second letter to the Corinthian church. In it, Paul is wrapping up his arguments and preparing to come to Corinth to resolve the issues he has been discussing throughout the letter.