The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Thursday, October 26, 2023
God’s Eternity, Humanity’s Frailty,
Thursday, October 26, 2023
God’s Eternity, Humanity’s Frailty,
and The Call to Faithfulness
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17; Deuteronomy 31:14-22; Titus 1:5-16
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17; Deuteronomy 31:14-22; Titus 1:5-16
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
In the vast tapestry of Scripture, there are passages that starkly contrast the eternality of God with the transience of human life, while also emphasizing the importance of faithfulness and integrity. Psalm 90, written by Moses, presents a poignant reflection on the enduring nature of God and the fleetingness of human existence. This is paralleled in Deuteronomy, where Moses is instructed about the inevitable future apostasy of Israel, underscoring the fickleness of human commitment but God's unchanging character. On the other hand, in Titus, Paul calls for faithfulness in church leadership, urging Titus to appoint leaders who adhere to the true teachings and to be wary of those who diverge from truth. As we explore these passages together, let us be reminded of God’s eternal nature, our human frailty, and the enduring call to faithfulness in the midst of a transient world.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17
Show your servants your works
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17
Show your servants your works
Psalm 90 stands as a testament to God's eternity in contrast to human frailty. Attributed to Moses, it is a meditation on the transience of human life against the backdrop of the eternal nature of God. This selection of verses juxtaposes the temporal nature of humanity with the enduring nature of the Creator, emphasizing the fleeting moments of our lives compared to God's infinite timeline. It calls upon the Lord to have mercy, to extend His steadfast love, and to establish the work of human hands. As you read and reflect on these verses, consider the transient nature of your own life and the everlasting nature of God's love and presence.1 Lord, you have been our refuge *
from one generation to another.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
or the land and the earth were born, *
from age to age you are God.
3 You turn us back to the dust and say, *
“Go back, O child of earth.”
4 For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday
when it is past *
and like a watch in the night.
5 You sweep us away like a dream; *
we fade away suddenly like the grass.
6 In the morning it is green and flourishes; *
in the evening it is dried up and withered.
13 Return, O LORD; how long will you tarry? *
be gracious to your servants.
14 Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning; *
so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.
15 Make us glad by the measure of the days that you afflicted us *
and the years in which we suffered adversity.
16 Show your servants your works *
and your splendor to their children.
17 May the graciousness of the LORD our God be upon us; *
prosper the work of our hands;
prosper our handiwork.
Eternal and Gracious God, You are our dwelling place from generation to generation, the unchanging rock upon which we stand. As we read the words of this psalm, we are reminded of our own fragility and the swift passage of time. Just as the grass flourishes and then withers, so too do our own days seem to pass in a fleeting moment.
We humbly beseech You, Lord, to turn Your face towards us. In the midst of our brief lives, may we deeply feel Your enduring love and mercy. Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Do not let our efforts be in vain, but rather, may our work reflect Your glory and serve Your purposes.
Lord, let Your favor be upon us, guiding our steps, shaping our endeavors, and fulfilling Your will in our lives. May our days be filled with Your compassion and grace, and may the work of our hands be forever established in Your eternal purpose.
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.”
Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Torah, primarily consists of Moses' final addresses to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The book is a compilation of laws, exhortations, blessings, and prophecies. Chapter 31 of Deuteronomy marks a transition point as Moses prepares Joshua and the Israelites for his imminent departure. He not only passes on the mantle of leadership to Joshua but also conveys the eternal legacy of God's words to future generations.14 The Lord said to Moses, “Now the day of your death is near. Call Joshua and present yourselves at the tent of meeting, where I will commission him.” So Moses and Joshua came and presented themselves at the tent of meeting.
15 Then the Lord appeared at the tent in a pillar of cloud, and the cloud stood over the entrance to the tent. 16 And the Lord said to Moses: “You are going to rest with your ancestors, and these people will soon prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake me and break the covenant I made with them. 17 And in that day I will become angry with them and forsake them; I will hide my face from them, and they will be destroyed. Many disasters and calamities will come on them, and in that day they will ask, ‘Have not these disasters come on us because our God is not with us?’ 18 And I will certainly hide my face in that day because of all their wickedness in turning to other gods.
19 “Now write down this song and teach it to the Israelites and have them sing it, so that it may be a witness for me against them. 20 When I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, the land I promised on oath to their ancestors, and when they eat their fill and thrive, they will turn to other gods and worship them, rejecting me and breaking my covenant. 21 And when many disasters and calamities come on them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten by their descendants. I know what they are disposed to do, even before I bring them into the land I promised them on oath.” 22 So Moses wrote down this song that day and taught it to the Israelites.
Commentary
These verses encapsulate the complex relationship between God and His chosen people. The scene is laden with both intimacy and forewarning.
- Verses 14-15: Moses, the faithful servant of God, is informed of the impending end of his journey. The presence of God at the tent in a pillar of cloud is symbolic of divine guidance and constant protection that the Israelites have been provided during their exodus.
- Verses 16-18: The Lord, in His omniscience, predicts Israel's apostasy. These verses underscore a recurrent theme throughout the Bible: the cyclical pattern of the Israelites turning away from God, facing His wrath, and then eventually returning to Him. The mention of God hiding His face illustrates the profound sense of separation and spiritual desolation that would befall the people when they stray.
- Verses 19-21: The instruction to write down and teach the song serves as a tangible reminder of God's prophecies. This song, later presented in Deuteronomy 32, is both a testament to God's unwavering support for His people and a lamentation of their inevitable rebellion. The purpose is to serve as a self-testimony of their actions when the prophecies come true, demonstrating God's prior knowledge and His unerring word.
- Verse 22: The obedience of Moses is highlighted as he promptly acts on God's command. This song, as a part of their cultural and spiritual legacy, would remind generations of Israelites about their covenant with God, their history, and their responsibilities.
The Epistle to Titus, one of the Pastoral Epistles of the New Testament, is attributed to the Apostle Paul. It is addressed to Titus, a Gentile believer who was one of Paul's close associates and trusted coworkers in spreading the Gospel. This epistle primarily focuses on the pastoral responsibilities of Titus in guiding and shaping the nascent Christian communities on the island of Crete.5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
In Titus 1:5-16, Paul elaborates on the qualifications and characteristics of church leaders, specifically elders, and contrasts them with the behavior of false teachers. This passage not only highlights the moral and ethical standards expected of those in leadership roles but also warns of the detrimental impact of false teachings and the importance of doctrinal purity.
10 For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. 11 They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” 13 This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith 14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
Commentary
Verses 5-9: Paul reminds Titus of his mission to appoint elders in every town. The qualifications for these elders are quite specific: they must be blameless, faithful to their spouse, have children who believe, and not be open to charges of wild behavior or rebellion. Their character should exhibit hospitality, love for the good, self-control, and uprightness. They must be sound in the faith, avoiding drunkenness, and not be violent or greedy. Moreover, they should have a firm grasp of the trustworthy message to encourage others and refute those who oppose it.
These qualifications underscore the importance of leaders being exemplary in both their personal and public lives, not just for the sake of their reputation, but also for the spiritual well-being of the communities they serve.
Verses 10-16: Paul transitions to a warning about false teachers, particularly those of the "circumcision group." These individuals are described as rebellious, mere talkers, and deceivers. It appears that the Cretan church was susceptible to their misleading teachings, which were causing confusion and division. Paul uses a Cretan prophet's own words to illustrate the character flaws of some Cretans but warns that accepting such a stereotype should not be an excuse for Christians on the island to behave poorly or to let false teachings go unchallenged.
Paul's solution is sharp rebuke, so that these teachers might become sound in the faith. He warns Titus to avoid giving attention to Jewish myths or the commands of those who reject the truth. In a poignant statement, Paul emphasizes that to the pure, all things are pure, but to the corrupt, even the good things are tainted.
The closing verses of this passage are a powerful reminder of the correlation between belief and behavior. Those who profess to know God but act in ways contrary to His teachings are, according to Paul, "detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good."
In sum, this passage offers a comprehensive look at the qualities required of church leaders and the dangers of false teachings. It underscores the importance of maintaining both personal and doctrinal integrity in the life of the church.
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, October 26, 2023
God’s Eternity, Humanity’s Frailty, and The Call to Faithfulness
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17; Deuteronomy 31:14-22; Titus 1:5-16
In the vast tapestry of Scripture, there are passages that starkly contrast the eternality of God with the transience of human life, while also emphasizing the importance of faithfulness and integrity. Psalm 90, written by Moses, presents a poignant reflection on the enduring nature of God and the fleetingness of human existence. This is paralleled in Deuteronomy, where Moses is instructed about the inevitable future apostasy of Israel, underscoring the fickleness of human commitment but God's unchanging character. On the other hand, in Titus, Paul calls for faithfulness in church leadership, urging Titus to appoint leaders who adhere to the true teachings and to be wary of those who diverge from truth. As we explore these passages together, let us be reminded of God’s eternal nature, our human frailty, and the enduring call to faithfulness in the midst of a transient world.
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