The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Wednesday, November 1, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Embracing God's Commandments:

A Path to Eternal Life

Psalm 119:41-48; Deuteronomy 26:16—27:7; Matthew 19:16-22
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Introduction

The intertwining thread of obedience, love for God's commandments, and the pursuit of eternal life runs deep through the fabric of Scripture. Psalm 119:41-48 delves into the delight of following God's decrees, a heartfelt song of one's affection for the Lord's precepts. In Deuteronomy 26:16—27:7, the Israelites are reminded of the significance of adherence to God's commandments, reinforcing the concept that obedience leads to blessings. Meanwhile, in Matthew 19:16-22, a rich young ruler grapples with the cost of eternal life, illustrating that mere external observance of commandments is not enough. It requires a wholehearted surrender of what is most dear to us. Together, these passages guide believers to an understanding that true devotion to God is not simply about obedience but about loving and valuing God's commandments and recognizing the ultimate reward they bring.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 119:41-48
I will keep God’s law

Psalm 119 is a majestic and deeply spiritual outpouring of love, reflection, and praise centered around God's Word. This particular section, verses 41-48, is a passionate reflection on the liberating power of the truths found in God's commandments and how the psalmist's love for them becomes a witness before rulers and people alike. It emphasizes the comfort and assurance derived from trusting and reveling in God's decrees. Let us approach these verses with an open heart, eager to embrace the freedom that comes from truly understanding and living by God's Word.

41 May your unfailing love come to me, Lord, *
        your salvation, according to your promise;

42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me, *
        for I trust in your word.

43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth, *
        for I have put my hope in your laws.

44 I will always obey your law, *
        for ever and ever.

45 I will walk about in freedom, *
        for I have sought out your precepts.

46 I will speak of your statutes before kings *
        and will not be put to shame,

47 for I delight in your commands *
        because I love them.

48 I reach out for your commands, which I love, *
        that I may meditate on your decrees.

Heavenly Father, source of all love and mercy, we humbly come before You, desiring Your unfailing love and salvation. May Your promises to us be ever present in our hearts, enabling us to answer those who taunt and scorn, knowing that our trust rests in Your word.

Empower us, Lord, to never be put to shame, for our hope is anchored in Your commandments. Give us the boldness and zeal to speak of Your statutes before kings, leaders, and people everywhere, undeterred by fear or human judgments.

Father, we delight in Your commandments; they are the treasures of our hearts. Let Your precepts and laws be the song of our lives, sung with joy, enthusiasm, and heartfelt passion.

Help us, O Lord, to meditate on Your statutes and cherish them dearly. Give us the courage to lift our hands in obedience to Your commandments, and let our hearts be set on Your decrees.

In all things, may we be reminded of Your unending love and grace, as we seek to walk faithfully in Your ways. We praise You, O God, for the gift of Your word, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.

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 26:16—27:7
The covenant ratified

The book of Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament, is primarily presented as a series of speeches delivered by Moses on the plains of Moab just before the Israelites enter the Promised Land. Deuteronomy serves as a restatement and renewal of the covenantal laws given at Sinai, emphasizing the requirement for faithful obedience to God in exchange for blessings and prosperity in the land.

Deuteronomy 26:16—27:7 forms an important transition within the book. Here, the emphasis shifts from the rehearsal of laws and their blessings to the necessity for commitment and ritual enactment of the covenant. As the people prepare to cross over into the Promised Land, they're not only reminded of God's instructions but are also provided with a ceremony to affirm their commitment to these instructions.

16 The Lord your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws; carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. 17 You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in obedience to him, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws—that you will listen to him. 18 And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands. 19 He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.

27 Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: “Keep all these commands that I give you today. 2 When you have crossed the Jordan into the land the Lord your God is giving you, set up some large stones and coat them with plaster. 3 Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you. 4 And when you have crossed the Jordan, set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I command you today, and coat them with plaster. 5 Build there an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. Do not use any iron tool on them. 6 Build the altar of the Lord your God with fieldstones and offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God. 7 Sacrifice fellowship offerings there, eating them and rejoicing in the presence of the Lord your God.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 26:16-19: This section serves as a culminating point, affirming Israel's commitment to follow God's statutes and ordinances faithfully. Moses tells the people that they have been chosen as God's own possession, a "treasured possession" above all nations. However, this distinction comes with an expectation of obedience. The call to obedience serves as a two-sided coin—while it promises elevation and holiness for the obedient, it also presupposes the potential for disobedience.

Deuteronomy 27:1-3: The directive here concerns the establishment of large stones upon which the Law would be inscribed once the Israelites cross the Jordan River. This would serve as a physical and symbolic gesture of the Israelites' commitment to God's commands. The act of inscribing the Law on stones placed in the Promised Land not only makes it permanent but also integrates God's commands into the very fabric of their new homeland.

Deuteronomy 27:4-7: The location specified for the setting up of the stones and the altar is Mount Ebal. This location plays a significant role in later passages, where it is contrasted with Mount Gerizim. The two mountains represent blessings (Gerizim) and curses (Ebal). The detailed instructions for building the altar—using stones that have not been shaped by iron tools—emphasize purity and untampered commitment to God. The ritual of offering burnt and fellowship offerings further accentuates Israel's dedication and thanksgiving.

In sum, Deuteronomy 26:16—27:7 underlines the mutual commitment between God and Israel. It provides a framework not just for the acknowledgment of the covenant but for its physical and ritual enactment. These passages emphasize that the relationship between God and His people is active and lived, not merely acknowledged, and serves as a precursor to the blessings and curses detailed in the subsequent chapters.

Matthew 19:16-22
Keeping the commandments

The passage from Matthew 19:16-22 recounts a pivotal exchange between a wealthy young man and Jesus. This narrative, often referred to as "The Rich Young Ruler," grapples with the intersection of worldly wealth and the pursuit of eternal life, offering a penetrating look into the demands of discipleship and the barriers that material possessions can create in one's spiritual journey. It poses the question: What are we willing to give up in order to attain true spiritual fulfillment?

16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

18 “Which ones?” he inquired.

Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”

20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Commentary

Verses 16-17: The young man's question shows an inherent belief that eternal life is earned through deeds. Jesus redirects him by pointing out that only God is truly good. By doing so, Jesus emphasizes that salvation and eternal life aren't commodities to be achieved by human works but gifts offered by God.

Verses 18-19: Jesus lists commandments primarily from the second half of the Ten Commandments, those that deal with interpersonal relationships. The inclusion of "love your neighbor as yourself" (from Leviticus 19:18) further underscores the essential quality of love in the life of a believer.

Verse 20: The young man's response demonstrates a sincere desire to be righteous. However, it also reveals a potentially superficial understanding of the commandments. While he may have kept them outwardly, Jesus recognizes a deeper attachment within the man's heart.

Verse 21: Jesus's directive here is radical and direct. It isn't wealth itself that's the issue, but the man's attachment to it. For this young man, his riches are an obstacle to fully experiencing and entering the Kingdom of God. By asking him to sell everything, Jesus is pinpointing the young man's primary barrier to discipleship: his reliance on and love for material wealth.

Verse 22: The young man's reaction is profound and relatable. The thought of parting with his possessions saddens him. The text captures the profound challenge posed by worldly attachments and offers a somber reflection on the costs of discipleship. This man, despite his earnest desire for eternal life, finds the cost too steep.

Conclusion:
The story of the rich young ruler prompts us to reflect on our own lives, asking what we value most. While not everyone is called to sell all they have, the core message is about prioritization: ensuring that our relationship with God takes precedence over all else. It's a story of introspection, challenging us to assess whether we're truly willing to lay down everything to follow Jesus.

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. 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 Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Embracing God's Commandments: A Path to Eternal Life
Psalm 119:41-48; Deuteronomy 26:16—27:7; Matthew 19:16-22
The intertwining thread of obedience, love for God's commandments, and the pursuit of eternal life runs deep through the fabric of Scripture. Today's reading in the Book of Psalms delves into the delight of following God's decrees, a heartfelt song of one's affection for the Lord's precepts. In Deuteronomy, the Israelites are reminded of the significance of adherence to God's commandments, reinforcing the concept that obedience leads to blessings. Meanwhile, in our readings in Matthew, a rich young ruler grapples with the cost of eternal life, illustrating that mere external observance of commandments is not enough. It requires a wholehearted surrender of what is most dear to us. Together, these passages guide believers to an understanding that true devotion to God is not simply about obedience but about loving and valuing God's commandments and recognizing the ultimate reward they bring.