The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Thursday, September 28, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; Isaiah 48:17-21; James 4:11-16
(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 78:1-4, 12-16
Recounting God’s power

Psalm 78 serves as both a historical recounting and a spiritual reminder for the people of God. It opens with an earnest call to listen to the teachings that recount the glorious deeds of the Lord, aiming to keep the memory of God's works alive from one generation to the next. The psalmist exhorts the importance of oral tradition—of telling stories that describe God's power, miracles, and praiseworthy deeds.

In verses 12-16, the Psalm delves into the wonders God performed during the time of the Exodus. From dividing the Red Sea to providing water in the wilderness, the Psalm emphasizes God's divine interventions that were not only miraculous but also life-sustaining. These past acts serve as perpetual reminders of God's power and care for His people.

In today's context, this Psalm calls us not just to remember but also to proclaim the goodness of God to the next generation. In an age where stories can be instantly shared across the globe, the mandate to tell of God's goodness is as relevant as ever.

Hear my teaching, O my people; *
  incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

I will open my mouth in a parable; *
  I will declare the mysteries of ancient times.

That which we have heard and known,
    and what our forefathers have told us, *
  we will not hide from their children.

We will recount to generations to come
    the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the LORD, *
  and the wonderful works he has done.

He worked marvels in the sight of their forefathers, *
  in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

He split open the sea and let them pass through; *
  he made the waters stand up like walls.

He led them with a cloud by day, *
  and all the night through with a glow of fire.

He split the hard rocks in the wilderness *
  and gave them drink as from the great deep.

He brought streams out of the cliff, *
  and the waters gushed out like rivers.

Heavenly Father, we pause this day to hear Your teaching and to listen to the words that have been passed down through the ages. Your deeds are praiseworthy, Your power incomparable, and Your wonders beyond our understanding.

Lord, You have been our guide and provider, just as You were for our ancestors. You led them through seas and deserts, through trials and tribulations, and you nourished their souls and bodies. We stand as witnesses to Your continued miracles, Your unfailing love that sustains us day by day.

Help us, O God, to fulfill the charge laid out in this Psalm—to tell the next generation of Your goodness. May our lives be parables of Your faithfulness. Equip us with the words and the courage to share Your deeds with our children, our friends, and all who cross our paths.

We pray that as we recount Your wonders, future generations would be inspired to trust in You, just as we have. May Your stories of deliverance and provision be told in every corner of the earth, so that all may know You are the one true God, yesterday, today, and forever.

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.”

Isaiah 48:17-21
God brought water from the rock

The passages of Isaiah 48:17-21 falls within a segment of Isaiah known as the "Book of Comfort," encompassing chapters 40-55. This passage showcases the complex relationship between God and His people, Israel, particularly within the context of their Babylonian exile. It outlines God's role as Redeemer and Teacher, the missed opportunities due to Israel's disobedience, and the eventual deliverance that God promises to enact. It serves as both a reflection on past failures and an anticipation of future redemption, encapsulating themes of divine instruction, the consequences of disobedience, and the hope of liberation.

This is what the Lord says—
    your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
    who teaches you what is best for you,
    who directs you in the way you should go.
If only you had paid attention to my commands,
    your peace would have been like a river,
    your well-being like the waves of the sea.
Your descendants would have been like the sand,
    your children like its numberless grains;
their name would never be blotted out
    nor destroyed from before me.”

Leave Babylon,
    flee from the Babylonians!
Announce this with shouts of joy
    and proclaim it.
Send it out to the ends of the earth;
    say, “The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob.”
They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts;
    he made water flow for them from the rock;
he split the rock
    and water gushed out.

Commentary

God as Redeemer and Teacher (Verse 17)
In this verse, God is identified as the "Redeemer" and the "Holy One of Israel," emphasizing His divine authority and commitment to His people. God states that He "teaches" and "directs," which stresses His ongoing role as a guide and instructor in the lives of the Israelites.

Consequences of Disobedience (Verses 18-19)
Verses 18 and 19 explore the "what could have been" if Israel had obeyed God's commands. The language of "peace like a river" and "well-being like the waves of the sea" evoke images of abundance and tranquility. The mention of descendants "like the sand" recalls God's earlier covenant with Abraham (Genesis 22:17), highlighting the missed opportunities for blessing due to disobedience.

Call to Leave Babylon (Verse 20)
The focus shifts in verse 20 to an imperative call: "Leave Babylon, flee from the Babylonians!" This serves as a clarion call for liberation, and the language encourages not just a quiet departure but a joyful proclamation of God's redeeming act. The instruction to "announce this with shouts of joy" and "send it out to the ends of the earth" shows that this redemption should be publicized as evidence of God's faithfulness.

Divine Provision (Verse 21)
Verse 21 looks back at the past to inform the future, recounting how God provided water for the Israelites in their desert wanderings (referencing events like Exodus 17:6). The miraculous provision of water stands as a historical testament to God's ability to provide and protect His people in the most adverse conditions.

Conclusion
Isaiah 48:17-21 is a rich tapestry that weaves together themes of divine guidance, the sorrow of missed blessings due to disobedience, and the hope-filled promise of redemption and provision. It serves as a poignant reminder for all readers that God remains committed to instructing and redeeming His people, even when they stray. Through this passage, we are encouraged to heed God's guidance, celebrate His deliverance, and trust in His eternal provision.

James 4:11-16
We do not know what tomorrow will bring

The passages of James 4:11-16 is a section from the epistle of James, a New Testament book that places heavy emphasis on ethical and practical dimensions of the Christian life. This passage addresses two key areas of human behavior that are of ongoing concern: judging others and presuming upon the future. It challenges readers to examine their interpersonal relationships and their attitudes towards the uncertainties of life, both of which should be framed by an acknowledgment of God's sovereign role.

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.

Commentary

Judging Others (Verses 11-12)
The first part of this passage, verses 11 and 12, confronts the issue of judging and slandering one another within the community. James stresses that to judge a brother or sister is to position oneself against the law, and by extension, against the Lawgiver, God Himself. The language here serves as a warning against the human tendency to assume a position that belongs solely to God.

James emphasizes that God is the only true "Lawgiver and Judge," highlighting two of God's divine capacities: to "save and destroy." In doing so, he challenges readers to reflect on their limited perspective and authority, asking rhetorically, "But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?"

Presuming Upon the Future (Verses 13-16)
Verses 13 to 16 switch focus to the subject of planning for the future without considering God's will. James criticizes those who confidently declare their future plans to go to specific cities, engage in business, and make money. He underscores the uncertainty of life by stating, "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."

In verse 15, James offers a corrective to this arrogance by suggesting that individuals should say, "If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that." By doing so, James encourages readers to acknowledge God's sovereignty over all aspects of life, including future plans.

Finally, verse 16 rounds off this section by denouncing such presumptuous plans as "boastful" and "arrogant schemes," categorizing them as "evil." This strong language serves as a stark warning against human tendencies to become overly self-reliant and ego-driven, without giving due regard to God's overarching role.

Conclusion
James 4:11-16 serves as a spiritual and ethical mirror, reflecting back to readers the limitations of human judgment and the presumptuous nature of human planning. It urges us to place God at the center of our interactions and our future plans, recognizing His sovereign role as the only true Lawgiver, Judge, and controller of our destinies. In this way, the passage is a compelling call to humility, faithfulness, and dependency on God.

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). Commentaries are by Rev. Kenny Sallee, ThM.

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 28, 2023
Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; Isaiah 48:17-21; James 4:11-16
Today's Psalm reading calls us not just to remember but also to proclaim the goodness of God to the next generation. In an age where stories can be instantly shared across the globe, the mandate to tell of God's goodness is as relevant as ever.
The passages in Isaiah is a rich tapestry that weaves together themes of divine guidance, the sorrow of missed blessings due to disobedience, and the hope-filled promise of redemption and provision. It serves as a poignant reminder for all readers that God remains committed to instructing and redeeming His people, even when they stray. Through this passage, we are encouraged to heed God's guidance, celebrate His deliverance, and trust in His eternal provision.
The passage in James serves as a spiritual and ethical mirror, reflecting back to readers the limitations of human judgment and the presumptuous nature of human planning. It urges us to place God at the center of our interactions and our future plans, recognizing His sovereign role as the only true Lawgiver, Judge, and controller of our destinies. In this way, the passage is a compelling call to humility, faithfulness, and dependency on God.