The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Tuesday, September 26, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Psalm 119:97-104; Numbers 11:1-9; Romans 16:17-20
(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 119:97-104
God’s word sweeter than honey

The Bible's Psalm 119 is a poetic masterpiece devoted to extolling the virtues of God's law and instruction. The psalm is an acrostic, divided into sections each starting with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and it's the longest chapter in the Book of Psalms. The verses from 97 to 104 provide a window into the psalmist's love for God's law.

Oh, how I love your law! *
  all the day long it is in my mind.

Your commandment has made me wiser than my enemies, *
  and it is always with me.

I have more understanding than all my teachers, *
  for your decrees are my study.

I am wiser than the elders, *
  because I observe your commandments.

I restrain my feet from every evil way, *
  that I may keep your word.

I do not shrink from your judgments, *
  because you yourself have taught me.

How sweet are your words to my taste! *
  they are sweeter than honey to my mouth.

Through your commandments I gain understanding; *
  therefore I hate every lying way.

Dear Heavenly Father, I come before You in awe and gratitude for the wisdom and understanding that Your Word offers. Like the Psalmist, my soul rejoices at the richness and depth of Your laws and precepts.

Lord, help me to love Your Word more deeply every day. Grant me the discipline to meditate on it, not just in passing moments but as a constant companion through all the hours of my day. Fill my mind with Your truth so that I may be wiser than my enemies, insightful beyond my years, and understanding beyond human measure.

Your commands, O God, are not burdensome but life-giving. They enlighten my path, directing my steps away from evil and toward righteousness. Thank You for teaching me Your ways and for offering guidelines that are sweeter than honey, filling my life with joy and purpose.

As I go through this day, may I remember to uphold Your precepts, and in doing so, find the strength to turn away from every wrong path. Open my eyes to see the world through Your perspective, gaining understanding that influences my actions, my decisions, and my interactions with others.

Thank You for the precious gift of Your Word. May it continue to be my guide, my comfort, and my treasure.

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.”

Numbers 11:1-9
Complaints about manna

The passage from Numbers 11:1-9 is a critical episode in the biblical account of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Situated in the broader context of their wilderness experience, this passage provides an intimate look at the complex relationship between the Israelites and God. It explores themes of human frailty, divine judgment, and the balance of grace and provision from a higher power.

Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the Lord and the fire died down. So that place was called Taberah, because fire from the Lord had burned among them.

The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”

The manna was like coriander seed and looked like resin. The people went around gathering it, and then ground it in a hand mill or crushed it in a mortar. They cooked it in a pot or made it into loaves. And it tasted like something made with olive oil. When the dew settled on the camp at night, the manna also came down.

Commentary

Complaints and Divine Anger (Verses 1-3)

The Israelites' time in the wilderness was filled with trials and challenges, and here we see that the people complained about their hardships. This was not the first or the last time they grumbled, but God's reaction was swift and harsh. The "fire from the Lord" suggests divine judgment on their ingratitude. Moses' intervention through prayer saves the people, demonstrating his role as an intercessor and highlighting the power of prayer to change circumstances.

Craving and Remembrance (Verses 4-6)

The passage mentions that "the rabble" began to crave other foods, indicating that the dissatisfaction was not just among the Israelites but also among the mixed multitude that left Egypt with them. The people remember the "good old days" in Egypt, selectively recalling the foods they had there. This idealization of their past in Egypt disregards the harsh reality of their enslavement, revealing a sort of spiritual amnesia.

Description of Manna (Verses 7-9)

Manna was a miraculous provision from God that sustained the Israelites throughout their wilderness journey. The detailed description serves to show the versatility of the manna—it could be ground, cooked, and made into loaves. Despite its provision for their basic needs, the people were ungrateful, revealing a deeper spiritual issue: discontentment with God's provision.

The Irony of Ingratitude

The Israelites' dissatisfaction with manna is paradoxical, given that they were previously slaves with limited freedom and agency. The manna should have been a constant reminder of God's provision and care, yet they longed for the food they had in their days of bondage. This demonstrates the human tendency to be short-sighted and ungrateful, often failing to recognize or remember God's ongoing acts of grace.

Contrast Between Human Craving and Divine Provision

The people’s cravings were not just for different food but seemed to express a deeper discontent with the uncertainties and hardships of a nomadic life. They were in essence questioning God’s broader plan for them, showing a lack of trust. God's provision of manna was not merely to satisfy physical hunger but was intended as a lesson in reliance on divine sustenance.

Summary
Numbers 11:1-9 serves as a case study in human discontent, divine judgment, and the grace of God's provision. It exposes the Israelites' (and by extension, humanity's) propensity to complain and be ungrateful, even in the midst of divine favor. The passage challenges us to examine our own attitudes toward God's provision and to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and trust.

Romans 16:17-20
A warning about troublemakers

The closing chapter of Paul’s epistle to the Romans contains a variety of commendations, greetings, and final exhortations. Within this context, Romans 16:17-20 serves as a crucial, cautionary note on the theme of spiritual vigilance and discernment. While the letter as a whole is largely focused on theological expositions and moral instructions, this specific passage zooms in on the potential pitfalls that come with false teachings and divisive persons within the Christian community. The text serves as a timeless warning, but also as a source of encouragement, balancing the realities of spiritual warfare with the assurance of divine grace and eventual victory.

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Commentary

A Call to Watchfulness (Verse 17)

Paul starts off by urging the Christian community in Rome to be vigilant about those who cause divisions and create obstacles "contrary to the teaching you have learned." This indicates that the Roman Christians had received some foundational teachings, likely from apostolic sources. Paul is stressing that it's not merely division that is the problem but division coupled with false teaching, which makes it a matter of utmost seriousness.

Characteristics of the Divisive (Verse 18)

Paul sheds light on the motives behind such individuals, stating that they are driven by their own self-interests rather than the interests of Christ. These individuals employ "smooth talk and flattery," weapons that are often dangerously effective because they can distort the truth while appearing sincere. Paul cautions that these people are particularly dangerous to the "naive," likely referring to new converts or those not well-versed in Christian doctrine.

The Balance of Obedience and Wisdom

While the Roman church has been obedient, a trait for which Paul commends them, obedience alone is not enough. He wants them to be "wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil." The call here is not just to know the difference between good and evil but to deeply understand and pursue what is good while being untainted by evil. This is a call to mature discernment.

The Promise of Divine Triumph (Verse 20)

Paul transitions from a tone of caution to one of assurance and victory. He reminds them that the "God of peace" will soon defeat Satan. This declaration provides hope and a broader perspective; whatever immediate difficulties they face from divisive individuals are temporary in light of the impending divine victory. Paul assures them that evil will be defeated, but it is crucial to note that he calls God the "God of peace," emphasizing that the ultimate goal is a harmonious existence under God’s rule.

Grace as the Overarching Theme

The passage concludes with a brief but profound benediction: "The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you." Paul reminds his readers that despite the challenges and battles they face, they are under the umbrella of divine grace, which is the ultimate safeguard and the source of their strength and hope.

Summary
Romans 16:17-20 serves as a compact but deeply rich passage that tackles the dual themes of caution and assurance. Paul warns his readers of the imminent dangers of false teachings and divisions within the church but also bolsters their spirits with the promise of God’s ultimate triumph over evil. The passage captures the essence of the Christian journey, a path fraught with challenges, but one that is also undergirded by divine grace and headed toward ultimate victory.

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 Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Psalm 119:97-104; Numbers 11:1-9; Romans 16:17-20
The Bible's Psalm 119 is a poetic masterpiece devoted to extolling the virtues of God's law and instruction. The psalm is an acrostic, divided into sections each starting with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and it's the longest chapter in the Book of Psalms. The verses from 97 to 104 provide a window into the psalmist's love for God's law.
The passage from Numbers is a critical episode in the biblical account of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Situated in the broader context of their wilderness experience, this passage provides an intimate look at the complex relationship between the Israelites and God. It explores themes of human frailty, divine judgment, and the balance of grace and provision from a higher power.
The passage in Romans is the closing chapter of Paul’s epistle to the Romans contains a variety of commendations, greetings, and final exhortations. Within this context, it serves as a crucial, cautionary note on the theme of spiritual vigilance and discernment. The text serves as a timeless warning, but also as a source of encouragement, balancing the realities of spiritual warfare with the assurance of divine grace and eventual victory.