The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Monday, December 4, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Monday, December 4, 2023

From Ruins to Redemption:
A Journey of Hope and Judgment

Psalm 79; Micah 4:1-5; Revelation 15:1-8
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Advent 1)

Introduction

In this thematic study, we will delve into the messages encapsulated in Psalm 79, Micah 4:1-5, and Revelation 15:1-8, examining the journey from the ruins and lamentations of a fallen Jerusalem to the hopeful vision of a peaceful future, culminating in the ultimate judgment and triumph of God’s glory. These passages, though distinct in their historical and contextual backgrounds, converge to tell a story of despair turned into hope, warfare turned into peace, and human failings turned into divine redemption. As we explore these texts, let us seek to understand the depth of God’s love, the promise of a future filled with peace, and the inevitability of His righteous judgment.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 79
A Cry for Redemption Amidst Ruins

Psalm 79 is a communal lament that captures the raw emotion and deep anguish of the Israelites as they find themselves in the midst of devastation and disgrace. The holy city, Jerusalem, lies in ruins, the temple is destroyed, and the people are in exile. In the midst of this darkness, the psalmist turns to God with a desperate plea for deliverance, justice, and redemption. This Psalm reflects the universal human experience of suffering and the hope that God will intervene and bring restoration.

1     O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; *
        they have defiled your holy temple,
            they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.

2     They have left the dead bodies of your servants
            as food for the birds of the sky, *
        the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.

3     They have poured out blood like water
            all around Jerusalem, *
        and there is no one to bury the dead.

4     We are objects of contempt to our neighbors, *
        of scorn and derision to those around us.

5     How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever? *
        How long will your jealousy burn like fire?

6     Pour out your wrath on the nations
            that do not acknowledge you, *
        on the kingdoms
            that do not call on your name;

7     For they have devoured Jacob *
        and devastated his homeland.

8     Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; *
        may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
            for we are in desperate need.

9     Help us, God our Savior,
            for the glory of your name; *
       deliver us and forgive our sins
            for your name’s sake.

10    Why should the nations say, *
        “Where is their God?”

     Before our eyes, make known among the nations *
        that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.

11    May the groans of the prisoners come before you; *
        with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.

12    Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times *
        the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.

13    Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
            will praise you forever; *
        from generation to generation
            we will proclaim your praise.

Dear Heavenly Father, as we reflect on Psalm 79, we are reminded of the deep pain and suffering that Your people experienced in times of destruction and exile. Lord, we know that our world today is also filled with brokenness, and there are many who are crying out for Your deliverance and redemption.

We pray, Father, that You would hear our cries, just as You heard the cries of the Israelites. We ask for Your mercy and compassion to be poured out upon those who are suffering and that You would bring restoration and healing to the broken places of our world.

Help us, Lord, to trust in Your faithfulness and to remember that You are a God of justice and redemption. May we have the faith to believe that You can bring good out of even the most difficult circumstances and that Your light can shine in the darkest places.

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.”

Micah 4:1-5
A Vision of Peace: The Glory of the Lord's Mountain

In Micah 4:1-5, the prophet Micah presents a powerful and hopeful vision of a future where the Lord's presence reigns supreme, bringing about universal peace and harmony among nations. This passage is a profound declaration of the transformative power of God's truth and the potential for humanity to live in unity, guided by divine wisdom and justice.

4 1 In the last days

    the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established
        as the highest of the mountains;
    it will be exalted above the hills,
        and peoples will stream to it.

2 Many nations will come and say,

    “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
        to the temple of the God of Jacob.
    He will teach us his ways,
        so that we may walk in his paths.”
    The law will go out from Zion,
        the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
3     He will judge between many peoples
        and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide.
    They will beat their swords into plowshares
        and their spears into pruning hooks.
    Nation will not take up sword against nation,
        nor will they train for war anymore.
4     Everyone will sit under their own vine
        and under their own fig tree,
    and no one will make them afraid,
        for the Lord Almighty has spoken.
5     All the nations may walk
        in the name of their gods,
    but we will walk in the name of the Lord
        our God for ever and ever.

Commentary

Verses 1-2: The prophecy begins with a vision of the Lord's mountain established as the highest of all, symbolizing the preeminence of God's kingdom and truth over all other worldly powers and ideologies. The mountain serves as a beacon, drawing people from every nation to come and learn from the Lord's ways, seeking divine wisdom and guidance. This is a powerful image of inclusivity and universality, highlighting the Lord's desire for all of humanity to live in harmony, united under His righteous rule.

Verses 3-4: The result of this divine education is a world transformed by peace, where nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. The instruments of war are repurposed into tools for cultivation and growth, symbolizing the transformation of human nature from conflict and destruction to cooperation and prosperity. This is a striking vision of a world where the root causes of war and conflict have been eradicated, and humanity lives in harmony with each other and with the natural world.

Verse 5: Micah further emphasizes the importance of walking in the name of the Lord, living out His teachings and values in our daily lives. This is a call to action, urging us to actively pursue peace and justice in our own lives and in the world around us, guided by the principles and values that are at the heart of the Lord's vision for humanity.

In conclusion, Micah 4:1-5 presents a powerful and hopeful vision of a future where humanity lives in harmony, united under the rule of God's truth and justice. This passage calls us to seek divine wisdom and to actively work towards a world characterized by peace, inclusivity, and prosperity. As we reflect on this vision, let us be inspired to live out the Lord's teachings in our own lives, working towards a future where the glory of the Lord's mountain shines brightly for all to see.

Revelation 15:1-8
The Prelude to God's Final Judgments

The book of Revelation, with its vivid imagery and prophetic language, serves as a window into the culmination of human history and the establishment of God's ultimate rule. In Revelation 15:1-8, we find ourselves on the precipice of God's final judgments on the earth. The passage captures the awe-inspiring majesty of God's holiness and justice, juxtaposed against the anticipation of the impending seven last plagues. Through this celestial vision, John provides believers with a perspective of God's sovereignty and righteousness in the face of earthly struggles and opposition.

15 1 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. 2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God 3 and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb:

    “Great and marvelous are your deeds,
        Lord God Almighty.
    Just and true are your ways,
        King of the nations.
4     Who will not fear you, Lord,
        and bring glory to your name?
    For you alone are holy.
    All nations will come
        and worship before you,
    for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

5 After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law—and it was opened. 6 Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. 8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

Commentary

Verse 1: This opening verse sets the tone for the entire passage. The description of the sign as great and marvelous emphasizes the profound significance and gravity of the impending events. The mention of these as the last plagues indicates the finality of God's judgments, concluding the outpouring of His wrath.

Verses 2: The sea of glass, mingled with fire, signifies purity and judgment. It reflects the majesty of God’s throne and the righteous judgments He passes. On this sea stand those who have been triumphant over the beast, his image, and the number of his name. Their victory symbolizes the ultimate defeat of evil and the perseverance of faith in the midst of adversity. Their harps, given by God, highlight the joy and celebration of their victory.

Verse 3-4: As the redeemed sing the song of Moses and the Lamb, we are reminded of God's faithful intervention throughout history. The Song of Moses recalls Israel's deliverance from Egypt, while the Song of the Lamb points to the ultimate deliverance achieved by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. The lyrics emphasize God's greatness, his acts of justice, and the uniqueness of His holiness.

Verses 5-7: This temple signifies the dwelling place of God's presence. Its opening signifies the commencement of the final judgments. As the seven angels emerge with the seven plagues, we're reminded of the seriousness and perfection of God’s judgments. The golden bowls filled with God's wrath symbolize the full measure of His righteous anger against sin.

Verse 8: The presence of smoke from God's glory and power fills the temple, emphasizing the intensity of His majesty and the weight of the moment. The fact that no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues were completed suggests a divine pause—a holy moment of reverence—before the final judgments are unleashed.

In conclusion, Revelation 15:1-8 paints a portrait of God's awe-inspiring holiness and righteousness. It reminds believers of the seriousness of God's judgments while also offering hope and assurance in the victory that comes through faith in Christ.

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 B. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2024, we will be in Year C. The year which ended at Advent 2023 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 Monday, December 4, 2023
From Ruins to Redemption: A Journey of Hope and Judgment
Psalm 79; Micah 4:1-5; Revelation 15:1-8
In this thematic study, we will delve into the messages encapsulated in today's readings, examining the journey from the ruins and lamentations of a fallen Jerusalem to the hopeful vision of a peaceful future, culminating in the ultimate judgment and triumph of God’s glory. These passages, though distinct in their historical and contextual backgrounds, converge to tell a story of despair turned into hope, warfare turned into peace, and human failings turned into divine redemption. As we explore these texts, let us seek to understand the depth of God’s love, the promise of a future filled with peace, and the inevitability of His righteous judgment.