The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Wednesday, November 8, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Divine Authority: Blessings, Miracles,

and Traditions

Psalm 128; Joshua 10:12-14; Matthew 15:1-9
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Introduction

The scriptures unfold the majesty and authority of the Divine in varied dimensions. Psalm 128 paints a vivid picture of the blessings that befall those who walk in fear of the Lord. From the familial to the societal, the rewards of faithfulness reach every corner of a believer's life. In Joshua 10:12-14, we witness an unparalleled miracle, the sun standing still, showcasing God's supreme power over creation to aid His people. Yet, the authority of God isn't just in blessings and miracles but also in the true understanding of His commands. Matthew 15:1-9 challenges traditions and rituals that might deviate from the heart of God's word. When human teachings overshadow divine commandments, the authenticity of worship is lost. Through these passages, we are invited to reflect upon the omnipotent authority of God in blessing, in miracles, and in true worship, urging us to align our lives in genuine reverence and understanding of His Word.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 128
It shall be well with you

Psalm 128 serves as a reflection on the profound blessings that come from following the Lord's ways. It beautifully intertwines the themes of reverence for God with the tangible rewards of leading a righteous life. Rooted in the imagery of family and agriculture, it portrays a vivid image of prosperity and contentment, which transcends material wealth, and delves into the spiritual and emotional abundance that comes from being in harmony with God. As we read and meditate upon this Psalm, may we be reminded of the eternal blessings that stem from a life anchored in faith and righteousness.

1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, *
        who walk in obedience to him.

2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; *
        blessings and prosperity will be yours.

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
        within your house; *
    your children will be like olive shoots
        around your table.

4 Yes, this will be the blessing *
        for the man who fears the Lord.

5 May the Lord bless you from Zion; *
        may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
            all the days of your life.

6 May you live to see your children’s children— *
        peace be on Israel.

Gracious and Loving God, You are the source of all blessings, the wellspring of life, and the keeper of promises.

Blessed are those who walk in Your ways, who find their strength and purpose in You. May we always seek to honor You in all that we do, and in doing so, find true fulfillment.

Lord, as the vine produces fruit and as the olive tree spreads its branches, may our homes and families flourish under Your care. Let our children be like tender shoots, nurtured by Your love, growing upright in Your light.

Guide us, O Lord, in our daily endeavors, so that our efforts may prosper, and the fruits of our labor be a testament to Your grace.

May the love we share within our households be a reflection of Your eternal love, and may the peace we find at home echo the serenity of Your kingdom.

We ask for Your guidance, to always remain rooted in Your teachings. And as we strive to lead righteous lives, bless us with Your unfailing presence.

Keep our feet on the path of righteousness, and let Your blessings overflow in our lives, so that we may be a blessing to others.

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.”

Joshua 10:12-14
Sun and moon stand still

The book of Joshua, in the Old Testament, chronicles the Israelite conquests under the leadership of Joshua after the death of Moses. One of the most remarkable events in this book is described in Joshua 10:12-14, where Joshua asks the Lord to cause the sun and the moon to stand still so that the Israelites can continue fighting and achieve victory over their enemies. This event stands out not only as a miracle but also as an example of God's intervention in human history to aid His chosen people.

10 12 On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel:

    “Sun, stand still over Gibeon,
        and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”
13     So the sun stood still,
        and the moon stopped,
        till the nation avenged itself on its enemies,

as it is written in the Book of Jashar.

The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. 14 There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel!

Commentary

In this passage, Joshua, through divine inspiration, calls upon the sun and the moon to stand still, thereby prolonging the day. This was done to ensure that the Israelites had enough daylight to defeat the Amorites. The fact that the sun and moon obeyed Joshua's command demonstrates God's supreme power over creation and His commitment to the Israelites.

The mention of the Book of Jashar suggests that this event was so significant that it was recorded in other historical annals of the time. The Book of Jashar is referenced elsewhere in the Old Testament but is not a part of the biblical canon. It provides extra-biblical evidence that this miraculous event was recognized and remembered beyond the immediate context of the Israelites.

The closing verse (verse 14) underscores the uniqueness of this event. Not only is the physical miracle of the sun and moon standing still emphasized, but also the relational aspect between God and humans. The text says, "There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being." This serves as a powerful reminder that God was, and is, intimately involved in the affairs of His people, willing to intervene in miraculous ways when His purposes align with their righteous requests.

Throughout biblical history, God has shown His power and love for His people. This passage in Joshua is a vivid representation of that—a reminder that when God is on our side, even the seemingly impossible becomes possible.

Matthew 15:1-9
Lips that misrepresent the heart

Matthew 15:1-9 offers a rich tapestry of insight into the nature of true piety and Jesus' critique of religious hypocrisy. Set against the backdrop of an ever-escalating tension between Jesus and the religious leaders of His day, this passage delves into the distinction between human traditions and God's commandments. By examining this text, readers are invited to reflect upon the nature of true devotion to God and the pitfalls of elevating human traditions above divine mandates.

15 1 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”

3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ 5 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ 6 they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

8     “‘These people honor me with their lips,
        but their hearts are far from me.
9     They worship me in vain;
        their teachings are merely human rules.’”

Commentary

In this passage, we see the Pharisees and teachers of the law—representatives of the religious elite—confronting Jesus over an issue of ritual purity. The disciples' failure to wash their hands before eating wasn't a matter of hygiene, but rather a breach of the traditional ceremonial laws that these leaders held dear.

Jesus' response, however, redirects their criticism back to them by highlighting a more profound transgression. He addresses a practice where individuals could declare their resources as devoted to God (often referred to as Corban), thus sidestepping their responsibility to financially support their parents. In doing so, they were effectively overriding the commandment to Honor your father and mother, one of the Ten Commandments, all for the sake of upholding human-made traditions.

Jesus then uses a quote from the prophet Isaiah to critique their shallow outward religiosity. The prophet's words underscore a significant theme throughout the Bible: God values genuine heart devotion over mere ritualistic or external observance.

For readers today, this passage serves as a powerful reminder. While traditions can offer meaningful expressions of faith, they should never supplant or obscure the deeper and more foundational truths of God's Word. True worship requires a heart fully devoted to God, rather than a mere adherence to human-imposed regulations or customs.

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 Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Divine Authority: Blessings, Miracles, and Traditions
Psalm 128; Joshua 10:12-14; Matthew 15:1-9
The scriptures unfold the majesty and authority of the Divine in varied dimensions. Psalm 128 paints a vivid picture of the blessings that befall those who walk in fear of the Lord. From the familial to the societal, the rewards of faithfulness reach every corner of a believer's life. In Joshua 10:12-14, we witness an unparalleled miracle, the sun standing still, showcasing God's supreme power over creation to aid His people. Yet, the authority of God isn't just in blessings and miracles but also in the true understanding of His commands. Matthew 15:1-9 challenges traditions and rituals that might deviate from the heart of God's word. When human teachings overshadow divine commandments, the authenticity of worship is lost. Through these passages, we are invited to reflect upon the omnipotent authority of God in blessing, in miracles, and in true worship, urging us to align our lives in genuine reverence and understanding of His Word.