The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Saturday, November 11, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Saturday, November 11, 2023

Remembrance, Refuge, and Revelation

Psalm 78:1-7; Joshua 20:1-9; Matthew 24:1-14
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
  (Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Introduction

Throughout the tapestry of Scripture, there is a consistent thread that weaves the past, present, and future together: the faithfulness of God, our need for refuge, and the prophetic revelations of what is to come. In Psalm 78, we are called to remember the works of the Lord, passing down His great deeds from one generation to the next. Joshua 20 introduces the cities of refuge, reminding us of God's provision for those seeking safety and redemption. In Matthew 24, Jesus unveils the signs preceding His second coming, shedding light on the culmination of history and God's ultimate victory. Together, these passages prompt us to recall God’s mercies, seek His refuge amidst life’s challenges, and look forward with hope to His promised future.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 78:1-7
The power of God

Psalm 78 is a Maschil, or a contemplative song, of Asaph. This particular section, verses 1-7, sets the tone for the entire psalm, which recounts the acts of God for His people and their responses in turn. This passage emphasizes the importance of remembering God's deeds and passing those memories on to future generations. It serves as a reminder that the stories of faith are not merely for personal edification but are to be shared with children and grandchildren. This sharing ensures that the coming generations might continue in faithfulness, hope, and praise of God. As you read these verses, reflect on your own life: the lessons learned, the grace received, and how you can share those stories with the next generation.

1 My people, hear my teaching; *
        listen to the words of my mouth.

2 I will open my mouth with a parable; *
        I will utter hidden things, things from of old—

3 Things we have heard and known, *
        things our ancestors have told us.

4 We will not hide them from their descendants;
        we will tell the next generation *
    the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
        his power, and the wonders he has done.

5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
        and established the law in Israel, *
    which he commanded our ancestors
        to teach their children,

6 So the next generation would know them,
        even the children yet to be born, *
    and they in turn would tell their children.

7 Then they would put their trust in God
        and would not forget his deeds *
    but would keep his commands.

Heavenly Father, we come before You with attentive ears and open hearts, desiring to hear Your teachings and understand the wonders You have done. May we not keep silent about the glorious deeds of the Lord, the miracles, and the judgments You have spoken.

Let us be faithful in passing down Your truths, from one generation to the next, so that the future may know Your works, even those yet unborn. May they, in turn, rise up and share with their children the stories of Your faithfulness and grace.

Help us, O God, to trust in Your promises, to keep Your commands, and to set our hope in You alone. May we not be like the generations before us, stubborn and rebellious, but instead, with steadfast love and unwavering faith, shine Your light in this world.

Let the children born to us be strong and courageous, rooted in Your Word, always remembering the great deeds You have done. May they, filled with Your Spirit, declare to the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, Your power, and the wonders You have done.

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 20:1-9
Joshua appoints cities of refuge

The Book of Joshua chronicles the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites and their subsequent settlement. Joshua, Moses' successor, leads the people in obedience to the commands of God, ensuring that they inherit the Promised Land. The chapter under consideration, Joshua 20, introduces the institution of the "Cities of Refuge." These cities were established to serve as sanctuaries for individuals who had accidentally killed someone, allowing them a place of refuge from avenging relatives. This provision underscores the importance of justice and mercy in the Israelite community.

20 1 Then the Lord said to Joshua: 2 “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, 3 so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood. 4 When they flee to one of these cities, they are to stand in the entrance of the city gate and state their case before the elders of that city. Then the elders are to admit the fugitive into their city and provide a place to live among them. 5 If the avenger of blood comes in pursuit, the elders must not surrender the fugitive, because the fugitive killed their neighbor unintentionally and without malice aforethought. 6 They are to stay in that city until they have stood trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest who is serving at that time. Then they may go back to their own home in the town from which they fled.”

7 So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah. 8 East of the Jordan (on the other side from Jericho) they designated Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau in the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead in the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan in the tribe of Manasseh. 9 Any of the Israelites or any foreigner residing among them who killed someone accidentally could flee to these designated cities and not be killed by the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly.

Commentary

Verses 1-3: The Lord speaks to Joshua, reminding him of the directive previously given to Moses concerning the establishment of Cities of Refuge. This serves as a bridge between the Mosaic Law and the practical outworking of that law in the Promised Land. The Cities of Refuge functioned as a safeguard to ensure that justice was not administered hastily or in anger.

Verses 4-6: These verses detail the procedure to be followed upon entering a City of Refuge. The unintentional killer would stand at the entrance and explain their case to the city elders. If the elders deemed the individual's act to be genuinely accidental, they would grant the person asylum. However, this protection was not unlimited. The individual had to remain in the city until the death of the high priest. This period of exile not only allowed time for tempers to cool but also represented a form of atonement, as the death of the high priest was seen as a significant event that could cleanse the land.

Verses 7-9: The cities mentioned—Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron, Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan—were strategically located throughout the land, ensuring that one was always within reasonable reach of any Israelite in need. Notably, these cities were also Levitical cities, places where the Levites (the priestly tribe) resided. This association with the Levites emphasizes the spiritual and judicial nature of these cities, as the Levites were charged with maintaining the religious and moral standards of the Israelite community.

In conclusion, the establishment of the Cities of Refuge underscores God's concern for both justice and mercy. They prevented a cycle of revenge and bloodshed while ensuring that genuine cases of manslaughter were differentiated from intentional murder. The principle behind these cities still resonates today, reminding us of the need for a fair judicial system that values both the rights of the accused and the quest for justice.

Matthew 24:1-14
Jesus foretells the end

Matthew 24 is a significant chapter in the New Testament, commonly referred to as the "Olivet Discourse." This passage unveils a conversation between Jesus and His disciples, providing insight into the end times and the signs that would precede His second coming. As Jesus delivers His message on the Mount of Olives, He elucidates the critical events and hardships that will transpire before the culmination of the age. Matthew 24:1-14 offers a foretaste of these events, underlining the need for discernment, perseverance, and faithfulness among Christ's followers.

24 1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Commentary

Verses 1-2: The chapter starts with the disciples drawing Jesus' attention to the grandeur of the temple buildings. However, Jesus, looking beyond the immediate to the imminent destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., prophesies the temple's downfall. This prophecy not only points to the physical ruin but also symbolizes the end of the old system and the dawning of a new covenant era.

Verses 3: As they sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples' curiosity was piqued. They approached Jesus privately, desiring specifics about the end times. Their inquiry had a twofold aspect: the timing of the temple's destruction and the signs of Jesus' coming and the end of the age.

Verses 4-5: Jesus' initial caution is against deception. He underscores that many will come in His name, claiming messianic authority or even identity, leading many astray. This warning reminds believers to discern and test every spirit to avoid falling prey to false teachings.

Verses 6-8: Jesus lists wars, rumors of wars, and various natural calamities as precursors to the end. However, He describes them as merely "the beginning of birth pains." While these events can be distressing, they are not immediate indicators of the end but rather signs that the age is advancing towards its culmination.

Verses 9-10: The passage takes a somber turn as Jesus predicts the persecution of His followers. This persecution will lead to betrayal, hatred, and widespread apostasy. Throughout history, and even today, many believers have faced and continue to face persecution, standing as a testament to the validity of Jesus' words.

Verses 11-12: The proliferation of false prophets will lead to increased deception. The decay of moral values and the escalation of wickedness will cause the love of many to grow cold. In these verses, Jesus highlights the spiritual and moral decay that will characterize the end times.

Verse 13: Amidst the grim realities, Jesus offers a ray of hope. He emphasizes perseverance, assuring that those who remain steadfast in their faith until the end will be saved. This serves as an encouragement for believers to cling to their faith, irrespective of external pressures.

Verse 14: The gospel's universal proclamation serves as a crucial sign of the end. Before the end arrives, the good news of Jesus Christ will reach every corner of the globe, testifying to God's grace and mercy to all people.

In conclusion, Matthew 24:1-14 offers an intricate tapestry of prophecies that, while challenging, also carries a message of hope. It serves as a clarion call for believers to be vigilant, discerning, and steadfast in their faith, ensuring they are not led astray by the turbulent events of the last days.

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 11, 2023
Remembrance, Refuge, and Revelation
Psalm 78:1-7; Joshua 20:1-9; Matthew 24:1-14
Throughout the tapestry of Scripture, there is a consistent thread that weaves the past, present, and future together: the faithfulness of God, our need for refuge, and the prophetic revelations of what is to come. In Psalm 78, we are called to remember the works of the Lord, passing down His great deeds from one generation to the next. Joshua 20 introduces the cities of refuge, reminding us of God's provision for those seeking safety and redemption. In Matthew 24, Jesus unveils the signs preceding His second coming, shedding light on the culmination of history and God's ultimate victory. Together, these passages prompt us to recall God’s mercies, seek His refuge amidst life’s challenges, and look forward with hope to His promised future.