The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Wednesday, November 22, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Justice, Vindication, and Divine Accountability

Psalm 83:1-4, 9-10, 17-18; Esther 7:1-10; Matthew 24:45-51
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Introduction

Across the varied landscapes of Biblical scriptures, we often find intertwined themes of divine protection, the pursuit of justice, and the call for human accountability. In the selected verses from Psalms, Esther, and Matthew, we are presented with a tapestry of events and prayers that underline this very interplay. Psalm 83 is a plea for God to not remain silent in the face of His people's adversaries. Esther 7 unfolds as a climactic confrontation where justice is meted out against a sinister plot. Matthew 24, meanwhile, encourages faithfulness and warns of the consequences of neglecting one's duty. Together, these passages guide us through a spiritual journey, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's guidance, celebrating His justice, and understanding the gravity of our responsibilities as believers. Let's delve deeper into these scriptures to grasp the essence of this divine interplay.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 83:1-4, 9-10, 17-18
Do not be silent O God

Psalm 83 stands as a fervent plea to God in the midst of turmoil and threat from surrounding enemies. It captures the raw emotion and desperation of the Psalmist, seeking divine intervention against those who wish to wipe out the name of Israel. This selection from the Psalm specifically paints a vivid picture of the threats facing Israel and recalls past victories where God intervened on behalf of His people. It concludes with a passionate request that these enemies be put to shame so that they might recognize the supremacy of the One true God. In these verses, the Psalmist not only seeks physical deliverance but also yearns for the spiritual acknowledgment of God's sovereignty by all nations.

1 O God, do not remain silent; *
    do not turn a deaf ear,
    do not stand aloof, O God.

2 See how your enemies growl, *
    how your foes rear their heads.

3 With cunning they conspire against your people; *
    they plot against those you cherish.

4 “Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation, *
    so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.”

9 Do to them as you did to Midian, *
    as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,

10 Who perished at Endor *
    and became like dung on the ground.

17 May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; *
    may they perish in disgrace.

18 Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord— *
    that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

Heavenly Father, the God who neither slumbers nor sleeps, we come before You, mindful of the struggles that surround us. Do not remain silent, O God, nor be still. In the times when it seems enemies conspire against us and plots are devised to harm, we cling to You. We see the world rising up, defiant, seeking to erase the memory of Your people, and our hearts cry out.

Like the past, when You defeated the enemies of Your people, we pray for Your divine intervention once again. As You thwarted the plans of Midian and Sisera, we ask that You confound the plans of those who seek harm and oppose Your will. Let their ways be filled with confusion, that they might know they are but mortal.

May those who oppose You, O Lord, be put to shame and dismayed. Let them realize the futility of standing against the Almighty. In their realization, we pray that they may seek Your face, turning from their ways to find grace in Your sight.

Let them know, as we know, that You alone are the Most High over all the earth. May Your name be magnified, Your power acknowledged, and Your love embraced by all nations.

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.”

Esther 7:1-10
Esther’s victory

The Book of Esther unfolds amidst the opulence and political intrigue of the Persian Empire. In the narrative, Esther, a young Jewish woman, becomes queen to King Xerxes. Haman, the king’s highest official, plots to annihilate all the Jews in the empire because of a personal vendetta against Esther’s cousin, Mordecai. Esther 7:1-10 is pivotal in this tale. It’s the climax of Esther's courageous confrontation with evil, where she reveals Haman's malicious plot to the king.

7 1 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, 2 and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”

3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. 4 For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.”

5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”

6 Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!”

Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. 7 The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.

8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining.

The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?”

As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”

The king said, “Impale him on it!” 10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.

Commentary

Verses 1-2: The scene is set with the second of two banquets Esther prepared for the king and Haman. The king, once again, promises to grant Esther anything she wishes, highlighting his favor towards her.

Verses 3-4: Esther's plea is moving in its simplicity and poignancy. She is not just begging for her life, but for the life of her people. The phrase, sold for destruction, not only refers to Haman's decree but also to the payment he offered the king to destroy the Jews.

Verses 5-6: The king's question shows his astonishment. Esther's revelation is both brave and tactical. She exposes Haman as the enemy, putting him in a position where he cannot easily defend himself.

Verse 7: King Xerxes’ fury can be seen in his need for space, perhaps to process the shocking revelation or to calm his anger. Meanwhile, Haman, fully aware of the impending doom, becomes desperate.

Verse 8: The timing couldn't be worse for Haman. Falling on the couch where Esther was seated might have been a last-ditch effort to plead for mercy, but to the king, it appears as an assault, adding fuel to his anger.

Verses 9-10: The mention of the pole Haman had prepared for Mordecai's execution is deeply ironic. Harbona, one of the king’s eunuchs, points out the pole's existence, which seals Haman's fate. The justice is poetic: Haman is impaled on the very pole he had set up for Mordecai, symbolizing the reversal of fortunes.

Esther 7:1-10 is a testament to the unexpected ways in which justice can be served. Esther’s bravery, combined with the timely interventions of others, brings down a powerful enemy and paves the way for the salvation of her people. The narrative also serves as a warning about the perils of pride and the swift hand of poetic justice.

Matthew 24:45-51
Parable of the unfaithful slave

The Gospel of Matthew often presents its readers with themes of readiness, faithfulness, and the consequences of neglecting the responsibilities given by God. In the midst of the Olivet Discourse—a significant section where Jesus speaks about the end times and His second coming—Matthew 24:45-51 presents a parable that underscores the need for being both faithful and wise in anticipation of the Lord's return. In this passage, Jesus draws a line between a faithful and wise servant and a wicked one, illustrating the differing outcomes based on their actions.

24 45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Commentary

Verses 45-46: Jesus begins by posing a question, prompting His audience to reflect on their own faithfulness and wisdom. The metaphor used here—the faithful and wise servant—is symbolic of the Christian who remains loyal and diligent in their service to God, continuously nourishing and guiding others spiritually. The blessing pronounced on this servant is not only an affirmation of their diligence but also an assurance of reward upon the Lord's return.

Verse 47: The reward for the faithful servant is great. The promise of being put in charge of all his possessions indicates a position of trust, authority, and inheritance in God's kingdom. This can be seen as both a temporal and eternal reward, emphasizing the expansive and eternal nature of the blessings for those who serve faithfully.

Verses 48-49: In contrast, Jesus describes the wicked servant, who, believing that his master's return is far off, indulges in negligence and misconduct. This behavior is indicative of a heart that is not truly committed to the master and lacks an understanding of his return's imminence.

Verses 50-51: Jesus concludes with a severe warning about the dire consequences awaiting the wicked servant. The master's unexpected return emphasizes the theme of being always ready, a recurrent message in Jesus' teachings. The punishment described is not only harsh but also eternal, as the weeping and gnashing of teeth is often associated with the final judgment and the fate of the unrighteous.

In summary, this passage serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of vigilance, faithfulness, and the conscious effort to serve God and others, even in the face of uncertainty or delay. The contrasting outcomes of the two servants serve as a call to reflection and action for every believer, emphasizing the eternal implications of their choices and actions.

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 22, 2023
Justice, Vindication, and Divine Accountability
Psalm 83:1-4, 9-10, 17-18; Esther 7:1-10; Matthew 24:45-51
Across the varied landscapes of Biblical scriptures, we often find intertwined themes of divine protection, the pursuit of justice, and the call for human accountability. In the selected verses from Psalms, Esther, and Matthew, we are presented with a tapestry of events and prayers that underline this very interplay. Psalm 83 is a plea for God to not remain silent in the face of His people's adversaries. Esther 7 unfolds as a climactic confrontation where justice is meted out against a sinister plot. Matthew 24, meanwhile, encourages faithfulness and warns of the consequences of neglecting one's duty. Together, these passages guide us through a spiritual journey, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's guidance, celebrating His justice, and understanding the gravity of our responsibilities as believers. Let's delve deeper into these scriptures to grasp the essence of this divine interplay.