The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Friday, November 10, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Friday, November 10, 2023

Legacy of Covenant: Reflection, Redemption,

and Responsibility

Psalm 78:1-7; Joshua 8:30-35; Revelation 9:13-21
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Introduction

The sacred tapestry of scripture weaves together tales of faith, moments of divine intervention, and the recurring human need for redemption. In Psalm 78:1-7, Joshua 8:30-35, and Revelation 9:13-21, we explore a multi-dimensional perspective of humanity’s relationship with the Divine. From the ancient Israelites' historical reflections in Psalms, to the re-establishment of covenantal laws in Joshua, and the apocalyptic warnings in Revelation, these passages collectively underscore the importance of remembering God's deeds, renewing our commitment to His covenant, and recognizing the dire consequences of forsaking our responsibilities. As we delve into these texts, let us be reminded of the gravity of our covenant with the Lord and the perpetual call to remain faithful to our divine legacy.

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.

Gracious and Eternal God, in the vast expanse of Your wisdom, You have revealed Your marvelous works and stories of old to us. We incline our ears to the parables and teachings of yesteryears, knowing that in them, You have captured the essence of truth and lessons for generations.

Help us, O Lord, to always remember the wonders You have done, the miracles, and the judgments You pronounced. Let us never forget how You led our ancestors, cared for them, and provided for their every need. Their experiences serve as a testament to Your steadfast love and Your undying commitment to Your people.

Empower us, Heavenly Father, to share these stories with our children, that they may grow up knowing Your love and mercy. Let the next generation and those after be equipped with the knowledge of Your mighty acts, so they may place their trust in You and not forget Your deeds.

Grant us the grace to guide our children in Your ways, ensuring that they keep Your commands, embrace Your love, and continue the legacy of faithfulness to You. May they set their hope in You, and not be disloyal or disobedient, but stand firm in their convictions and relationship with You.

In the spirit of gratitude, we celebrate the chain of faith that binds generations together, from the past to the present, and into the future. May Your Word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, guiding us always towards You.

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 8:30-35
Joshua renews the covenant

The book of Joshua details the journey of the Israelites as they conquer and settle in the Promised Land after the death of Moses. It showcases their struggles, victories, and the vital importance of obedience to God's law. Joshua 8:30-35 describes an important ceremonial moment after a military victory, in which Joshua and the Israelites renew their commitment to the covenant that God made with their forefathers at Mount Sinai. It underscores the fundamental bond between the Israelites and the Lord and serves as a reminder of the importance of staying true to God's commandments.

8 30 Then Joshua built on Mount Ebal an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, 31 as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses—an altar of uncut stones, on which no iron tool had been used. On it they offered to the Lord burnt offerings and sacrificed fellowship offerings. 32 There, in the presence of the Israelites, Joshua wrote on stones a copy of the law of Moses. 33 All the Israelites, with their elders, officials and judges, were standing on both sides of the ark of the covenant of the Lord, facing the Levitical priests who carried it. Both the foreigners living among them and the native-born were there. Half of the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the Lord had formerly commanded when he gave instructions to bless the people of Israel.

34 Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law. 35 There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them.

Commentary

In these verses, we see Joshua's obedience to the commands that Moses received from God, fulfilling the mandate to establish an altar at Mount Ebal. The choice of uncut stones symbolizes purity and unaltered devotion to God. This emphasizes the importance of offering to God something untouched by human tools or designs, maintaining its natural and unadulterated state.

Joshua's copying of the Law onto the stones serves not only as a dedication to God but also as a permanent reminder of the Israelites' commitment to God's commandments. The positioning of the tribes on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal has its roots in Deuteronomy 27-28, where blessings and curses are pronounced on those who obey or disobey God's laws, respectively.

A striking aspect of this event is the inclusivity of the ceremony. Every Israelite, regardless of status or role—be it alien or citizen, elder or official—participated in this reaffirmation of the covenant. This unity underscores the communal responsibility of Israel to uphold and follow God's commandments.

Finally, Joshua's meticulous reading of every word of the law highlights the importance of thorough knowledge and understanding of God's word. His dedication ensures that every individual—men, women, children, and even the foreigners residing among them—were aware of the blessings and curses associated with their obedience or disobedience to the covenant.

In a broader sense, this passage reinforces the significance of remembering and upholding our commitments, especially those made in the context of our relationship with the divine. It serves as a timeless reminder of the value of unity, dedication, and obedience to God's word.

Revelation 9:13-21
Unrepentant humankind persists in sin

Revelation, the final book of the Bible, is a profound and often enigmatic prophetic work attributed to John the Apostle. Within its passages, we find a series of visions that reveal the culmination of history and God’s judgment upon the earth. The ninth chapter of Revelation is set amidst a series of judgments, specifically, the trumpet judgments. Revelation 9:13-21 introduces the sixth trumpet judgment and offers a description of a devastating army and the hardened hearts of humanity. This section is replete with vivid imagery and symbolic undertones, aiming to convey the severity of the impending judgment and the overarching message of repentance.

9 13 The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar that is before God. 14 It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 The number of the mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. I heard their number.

17 The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. 18 A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. 19 The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.

20 The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Commentary

Verses 13-14: The trumpet judgments are progressing in intensity, and with the sounding of the sixth trumpet, another wave of judgment is announced. The voice from the golden altar accentuates the holiness and righteousness of God's judgments. The Euphrates River, historically a boundary between the East and West, serves as a holding place for these bound angels. Their release suggests a divine permission for a specific and catastrophic event to unfold.

Verses 15-16: These verses emphasize the precision and timeliness of God's judgments. The vast number of mounted troops, symbolic of an immense and formidable force, underscores the scale and gravity of this judgment.

Verses 17-19: The vivid imagery here—fiery red, dark blue, and yellow breastplates, lion-headed horses, and serpent-like tails—depicts an otherworldly, fearsome army. The fire, smoke, and sulfur emanating from their mouths reinforce the deadly and destructive nature of this judgment. This portrayal is not necessarily literal but serves to emphasize the terror and severity of God's wrath.

Verses 20-21: Perhaps one of the most tragic aspects of this passage is humanity's refusal to repent, even after witnessing such dire judgments. The reference to idol worship and various sins paints a picture of a humanity deeply entrenched in rebellion against God. Despite the clear signs and devastating judgments, many continue in their sinful ways, showcasing the hardness of the human heart.

In conclusion, Revelation 9:13-21 offers a sobering glimpse into the future judgments of God. It challenges readers to reflect upon their own lives, urging repentance and a turning towards God. The passage serves as both a warning of what's to come and an invitation to seek God's mercy and grace.

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 Friday, November 10, 2023
Legacy of Covenant: Reflection, Redemption, and Responsibility
Psalm 78:1-7; Joshua 8:30-35; Revelation 9:13-21
The sacred tapestry of scripture weaves together tales of faith, moments of divine intervention, and the recurring human need for redemption. In today's readings, we explore a multi-dimensional perspective of humanity’s relationship with the Divine. From the ancient Israelites' historical reflections in Psalms, to the re-establishment of covenantal laws in Joshua, and the apocalyptic warnings in Revelation, these passages collectively underscore the importance of remembering God's deeds, renewing our commitment to His covenant, and recognizing the dire consequences of forsaking our responsibilities. As we delve into these texts, let us be reminded of the gravity of our covenant with the Lord and the perpetual call to remain faithful to our divine legacy.