The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Saturday, November 18, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Saturday, November 18, 2023

Seeking Divine Guidance and Protection

Psalm 123; Judges 5:1-12; Matthew 12:43-45
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Introduction

In the sacred scriptures of the Bible, we find a rich tapestry of verses that offer profound insights into the human experience and our relationship with the divine. Today, we explore three passages that revolve around the themes of seeking divine guidance and protection. These passages from Psalm 123, Judges 5:1-12, and Matthew 12:43-45 shed light on the timeless human longing for God's guidance and the importance of safeguarding our hearts and spirits. As we delve into these verses, we will uncover the wisdom they hold and discover how they resonate with our own spiritual journeys today.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 123
Our eyes look to God

Amidst the vast collection of hymns, laments, and praises found in the Book of Psalms, Psalm 123 stands out as a poignant cry for mercy. In the midst of oppression and disdain from those who hold themselves in higher esteem, the psalmist looks towards the heavens, seeking God's unfailing grace. It is a timeless reminder of the humility with which we approach the Creator, recognizing our dependence on His mercy and longing for His favor. As you read this psalm, may you be reminded of the ever-present love of God, who never turns a deaf ear to the pleas of His children, and may you find solace in His embrace.

1 I lift up my eyes to you, *
        to you who sit enthroned in heaven.

2 As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, *
        as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress,

  So our eyes look to the Lord our God, *
        till he shows us his mercy.

3 Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us, *
        for we have endured no end of contempt.

4 We have endured no end *
        of ridicule from the arrogant,
            of contempt from the proud.

Dear Heavenly Father, We lift our eyes to You, just as the psalmist did in Psalm 123. We come before Your presence with humble hearts, acknowledging our dependence on You, our Lord and Creator.

You, who are enthroned in heaven, we recognize Your majesty and sovereignty over all things. You are the one who watches over us, guiding and protecting us in our daily journey.

Like servants who look to their master and maidservant who turns to her mistress, we turn our hearts and minds to You, our God. We seek Your mercy and grace, knowing that we have fallen short of Your glory.

In times of trial and tribulation, we beseech You, O Lord, for Your compassion and forgiveness. We ask that You extend Your loving hand and grant us the strength to endure.

May Your mercy flow over us like a river, washing away our sins and cleansing our souls. Help us to find comfort in Your presence, knowing that You are with us in every circumstance.

We also pray for the world, dear God. Look upon those who are suffering, and those who are oppressed. Guide us to be instruments of Your peace and justice, just as the psalmist looked to You for help.

Lord, we commit our lives into Your hands and trust in Your unfailing love. We offer this prayer with gratitude and faith, in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

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.”

Judges 5:1-12
Song of Deborah

Judges 5:1-12 is commonly known as the "Song of Deborah and Barak," and it offers a poetic reflection on a pivotal moment in the history of the Israelites. It follows the events of Judges 4, where Deborah, a prophetess and judge, called upon Barak to lead the Israelite forces against the oppressive Canaanite commander Sisera. This passage, often considered one of the oldest texts in the Bible, is a song of celebration, recounting the triumph of the Israelites over their enemies and praising God for His role in the victory.

1 On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song:

2 “When the princes in Israel take the lead,
    when the people willingly offer themselves—
    praise the Lord!

3 “Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers!
    I, even I, will sing to the Lord;
    I will praise the Lord, the God of Israel, in song.

4 “When you, Lord, went out from Seir,
    when you marched from the land of Edom,
    the earth shook, the heavens poured,
    the clouds poured down water.
5 The mountains quaked before the Lord, the One of Sinai,
    before the Lord, the God of Israel.

6 “In the days of Shamgar son of Anath,
    in the days of Jael, the highways were abandoned;
    travelers took to winding paths.
7 Villagers in Israel would not fight;
    they held back until I, Deborah, arose,
    until I arose, a mother in Israel.
8 God chose new leaders
    when war came to the city gates,
    but not a shield or spear was seen
    among forty thousand in Israel.
9 My heart is with Israel’s princes,
    with the willing volunteers among the people.
    Praise the Lord!

10 “You who ride on white donkeys,
    sitting on your saddle blankets,
    and you who walk along the road,
    consider 11 the voice of the singers at the watering places.
    They recite the victories of the Lord,
    the victories of his villagers in Israel.

  “Then the people of the Lord
    went down to the city gates.
12 ‘Wake up, wake up, Deborah!
    Wake up, wake up, break out in song!
    Arise, Barak!
    Take captive your captives, son of Abinoam.’

Commentary

1. The Call to Praise: The passage begins with a call to praise the Lord for the victory. The Israelites acknowledge God's involvement in their triumph, recognizing that it was not their own strength or strategies but divine intervention that secured their freedom.

2. Recollection of the People's Willingness: Verse 2 recounts the willingness of the people to follow Deborah and Barak into battle. This unity among the tribes of Israel played a crucial role in their success.

3. A Time of Peace: Verse 6 describes a time of peace in Israel when villagers ceased to be, they ceased in Israel. This period of tranquility followed the defeat of the Canaanite forces and stands in stark contrast to the oppression they had endured.

4. The Role of Leadership: Deborah and Barak are prominently featured in this passage. Deborah's prophetic guidance and Barak's military leadership are celebrated, emphasizing the importance of courageous leaders in times of crisis.

5. Praising God's Power: Throughout this song, there is a consistent theme of giving glory to God for the victory. The natural elements, like the heavens and the clouds, are personified in praise of God's involvement in the battle.

6. Recognition of God's Justice: The song also highlights God's justice, as it portrays Him as one who punishes the wicked and rewards the righteous. This reinforces the idea that the Israelites' victory was a result of divine justice.

In sum, Judges 5:1-12 is a powerful and poetic reflection on a pivotal moment in Israel's history. It underscores the importance of faith, unity, and divine intervention in times of adversity, while also celebrating the leadership of individuals like Deborah and Barak who played essential roles in the nation's deliverance. This passage serves as a reminder of the enduring themes of justice, faith, and gratitude that resonate throughout the Bible.

Matthew 12:43-45
From bad to worse

In the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 12, we find Jesus delivering a powerful message to his disciples and the crowd that has gathered around him. In the verses 43-45, Jesus uses a vivid analogy to illustrate a crucial spiritual lesson. He compares an unclean spirit to a wandering demon, highlighting the importance of filling one's life with righteousness and God's presence to prevent spiritual emptiness and vulnerability.

12 43 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

Commentary

Verse 43: Here, Jesus begins with the scenario of an impure spirit being cast out of a person. The implication is that a person had previously been possessed by this evil spirit but has now been delivered from it. However, the unclean spirit doesn't disappear into thin air; it goes on a search for a new dwelling place. The term arid places suggests desolation and emptiness, symbolizing the state of the spirit's existence without a host.

Verse 44: The unclean spirit, unable to find rest, decides to return to the house it had vacated. The metaphorical house represents the person who had been freed from the demon. It's important to note that the house is described as unoccupied, swept clean, and put in order. This implies that the person has made efforts to cleanse their life and maintain a state of righteousness, yet there is a critical element missing—a new, positive, and godly presence hasn't filled the empty space.

Verse 45: The unclean spirit returns with reinforcements, seven other spirits even more wicked than itself. This escalation emphasizes the spiritual danger of an empty and unguarded life. When the unclean spirit re-enters the person's life and finds it unoccupied by the presence of God and righteousness, the result is a worsening of the person's spiritual state. The warning in the final sentence, "That is how it will be with this wicked generation," is a sobering reminder to the people of Jesus' time, illustrating the consequences of spiritual neglect and emptiness.

In these verses, Jesus is urging his audience to recognize the importance of not only expelling evil from their lives but also actively filling their hearts and minds with goodness, righteousness, and God's presence. It serves as a timeless reminder to maintain a strong and vigilant spiritual life to prevent the return of negative influences and to secure one's spiritual well-being.

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 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 Saturday, November 18, 2023
Seeking Divine Guidance and Protection
Psalm 123; Judges 5:1-12; Matthew 12:43-45
In the sacred scriptures of the Bible, we find a rich tapestry of verses that offer profound insights into the human experience and our relationship with the divine. Today, we explore three passages that revolve around the themes of seeking divine guidance and protection. These passages from Psalm 123, Judges 5:1-12, and Matthew 12:43-45 shed light on the timeless human longing for God's guidance and the importance of safeguarding our hearts and spirits. As we delve into these verses, we will uncover the wisdom they hold and discover how they resonate with our own spiritual journeys today.