The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Friday, November 3, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Friday, November 3, 2023

Redemption, Refuge, and Righteous Warning

Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37; Joshua 2:1-14; 2 Peter 2:1-3
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Introduction

Across the tapestry of scripture, we are constantly reminded of the steadfast nature of God's love, the sanctuary He provides in times of adversity, and the warnings He gives against deception. Psalm 107 beautifully begins with a proclamation of gratitude towards God, emphasizing His everlasting love and the redemption of His people. This Psalm paints a vivid image of wanderers, lost and hungry, who find solace and provision in the Lord.

Similarly, in the story of Rahab in Joshua 2, we see God's protective hand guiding the Israelite spies. Rahab, a seemingly unlikely ally, becomes instrumental in the Israelites' mission due to her belief in the power and reputation of the Lord. This story not only speaks of God's unexpected ways of providing refuge but also illustrates how faith can be found in the most unexpected places.

Yet, amidst these tales of redemption and refuge, 2 Peter 2 stands as a stern reminder. While God is indeed a loving and sheltering deity, He is also righteous and just. Peter warns against false prophets and teachers, those who would twist the words of truth for their gain, misleading many. This serves as a cautionary tale, urging believers to be discerning, to hold firm to the truth, and to always be on guard against those who may lead them astray.

Together, these passages draw a multifaceted picture of our relationship with God: One that is rooted in love and gratitude, built upon trust and refuge, but always underlined by an awareness and understanding of righteousness.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37
Thanks for a beautiful land

Psalm 107 is a heartfelt song of thanksgiving and praise, a reminder of the endless mercies and steadfast love of the Lord. It recounts the tales of those who have found themselves lost, in distress, or facing challenges, yet witnessed the unwavering grace and deliverance of God. As we delve into these verses today, may we be reminded of the countless times God has come to our aid, leading us from desolation to places of abundance. Let these verses stir gratitude in our hearts and encourage us to always give thanks to Him, for He is good.

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; *
        his love endures forever.

2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— *
        those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,

3 those he gathered from the lands, *
        from east and west, from north and south.

4 Some wandered in desert wastelands, *
        finding no way to a city where they could settle.

5 They were hungry and thirsty, *
        and their lives ebbed away.

6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, *
        and he delivered them from their distress.

7 He led them by a straight way *
        to a city where they could settle.

33 He turned rivers into a desert, *
        flowing springs into thirsty ground,

34 and fruitful land into a salt waste, *
        because of the wickedness of those  who lived there.

35 He turned the desert into pools of water *
        and the parched ground into flowing springs;

36 there he brought the hungry to live, *
        and they founded a city where they could settle.

37 They sowed fields and planted vineyards *
        that yielded a fruitful harvest;

Heavenly Father, we come before You today, giving thanks and praising Your Holy name, for You are good and Your love endures forever. We are the redeemed, gathered from every corner of the earth, and we come to tell our story of Your grace and mercy.

Lord, we remember the times when we wandered in spiritual wastelands, our souls hungry and thirsty for Your living water. In our distress, we cried out to You, and You, in Your infinite love, delivered us. You led us to a place of spiritual abundance, where we could settle and dwell in Your presence.

Father, we acknowledge that Your power and justice are displayed in the turning of rivers into deserts and fruitful lands into salt waste due to the wickedness of man. Yet, in Your mercy, You also turn deserts into pools of water, making a way for the hungry and the lost, leading them to a place where they can find life in abundance.

We thank You, Lord, for sowing in us the seeds of faith, for planting in our hearts the vineyards of hope and love. We pray that our lives will yield a harvest fruitful in kindness, compassion, and good works, glorifying Your name.

Gracious God, guide us in the straight way, keep us from the snares of wickedness, and let Your living water flow through us, quenching our spiritual thirst and refreshing our souls. May we dwell in Your city, live in Your love, and tell the story of Your redemption to all we meet.

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 2:1-14
Rahab shelters the scouts

The Book of Joshua, a pivotal narrative within the Old Testament, chronicles the Israelites' conquest of the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua, the successor to Moses. Chapter 2 presents an intriguing espionage narrative that sheds light on the faith of an unexpected character—Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho. The passage provides not only a detailed account of the Israelite spies and their covert operation in Jericho, but also introduces us to Rahab's profound acknowledgment of the might and majesty of the God of Israel. The story of Rahab is an exemplary testament to the theme that faith can be found in the most unlikely places and people.

2 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.”

4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.

8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof 9 and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.

12 “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.”

14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land.”

Commentary

1. A Covert Operation: The selection of spies and the mission to Jericho highlights the Israelites' strategic approach. While their trust remained in God, they also recognized the value of human preparedness and planning in warfare.

2. Rahab’s Choice: Despite her occupation and societal standing, Rahab proves to be an unexpected hero in the narrative. Her decision to hide the spies showcases her discernment in recognizing the true power of God and the imminent downfall of her city. Rahab's actions are an embodiment of faith in action.

3. God's Reputation Precedes Him: Rahab’s testimony about the fear that has gripped the inhabitants of the land due to the acts of the God of Israel serves as a reminder of the far-reaching impact of the miraculous events like the parting of the Red Sea. These events were not just for the immediate beneficiaries, but they served as a testimony to nations far and wide.

4. A Binding Agreement: The pact between Rahab and the spies demonstrates the intertwining of faith and action. Rahab seeks protection for her family, showcasing her foresight and concern. This agreement would later play a significant role as the Israelites conquer Jericho.

5. Faith Beyond Borders: Rahab's confession in verse 11, "For the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below", is profound. This acknowledgment from a non-Israelite signifies the universal sovereignty of the God of Israel and is a testament to His unmatched power.

The story of Rahab and the spies is not just a tale of espionage but is laden with spiritual insights and truths. It reinforces the idea that God's ways are mysterious and that He can use anyone, irrespective of their past or status, to fulfill His divine purposes.

2 Peter 2:1-3
False prophets and their punishment

The Second Epistle of Peter, commonly referred to as 2 Peter, is one of the eight General Epistles in the New Testament of the Bible. This letter is attributed to the Apostle Peter, one of Jesus Christ's twelve disciples. In the second chapter of this epistle, Peter addresses false teachers and the destructive heresies they introduce to the early Christian communities. As Christianity began to spread during the 1st century, many teachers emerged, some of whom distorted the original teachings for their gain or misled believers with teachings that were inconsistent with the apostolic tradition.

2 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

Commentary

Verse 1: Peter acknowledges a historical reality—that false prophets existed among the Israelites in the Old Testament times. Just as there were deceivers then, he warns that the early church will encounter false teachers. The secrecy with which they introduce these heresies makes them all the more dangerous. They are not merely altering minor beliefs; some even go as far as to deny the Lord, which indicates a fundamental departure from Christian faith. The gravity of their error is highlighted by the impending "swift destruction" that awaits them.

Verse 2: The spread of these false teachings isn't a mere theoretical concern. Peter asserts that many will be led astray by them. The term "depraved conduct" suggests moral and spiritual degeneracy. As a result of their influence, the genuine message of the gospel, the "way of truth," would be maligned and viewed with suspicion by outsiders.

Verse 3: The motive behind these false teachings is laid bare—greed. These teachers exploit believers, possibly financially or through other means, using "fabricated stories" or made-up teachings. Peter ensures readers that divine justice is not absent or unaware. These false teachers might appear to prosper for a time, but their judgment is imminent, as their "destruction has not been sleeping."

The passage serves as a sobering reminder to Christians of all eras about the vigilance required in maintaining the integrity of their faith. It underscores the importance of discernment, grounding oneself in apostolic teachings, and being wary of those who would distort the gospel for personal gain.

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 Friday, November 3, 2023
Redemption, Refuge, and Righteous Warning
Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37; Joshua 2:1-14; 2 Peter 2:1-3
Across the tapestry of scripture, we are constantly reminded of the steadfast nature of God's love, the sanctuary He provides in times of adversity, and the warnings He gives against deception. Psalm 107 beautifully begins with a proclamation of gratitude towards God, emphasizing His everlasting love and the redemption of His people. This Psalm paints a vivid image of wanderers, lost and hungry, who find solace and provision in the Lord.
Similarly, in the story of Rahab in Joshua 2, we see God's protective hand guiding the Israelite spies. Rahab, a seemingly unlikely ally, becomes instrumental in the Israelites' mission due to her belief in the power and reputation of the Lord. This story not only speaks of God's unexpected ways of providing refuge but also illustrates how faith can be found in the most unexpected places.
Yet, amidst these tales of redemption and refuge, 2 Peter 2 stands as a stern reminder. While God is indeed a loving and sheltering deity, He is also righteous and just. Peter warns against false prophets and teachers, those who would twist the words of truth for their gain, misleading many. This serves as a cautionary tale, urging believers to be discerning, to hold firm to the truth, and to always be on guard against those who may lead them astray.
Together, these passages draw a multifaceted picture of our relationship with God: One that is rooted in love and gratitude, built upon trust and refuge, but always underlined by an awareness and understanding of righteousness.