The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
The Assurance of Divine Promise and Purification
Psalm 27; Malachi 2:10—3:1; Luke 1:5-17
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Advent 2)
Introduction
with Commentary
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
The Assurance of Divine Promise and Purification
Psalm 27; Malachi 2:10—3:1; Luke 1:5-17
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Advent 2)
Introduction
In the sacred tapestry of Scripture, Psalm 27, Malachi 2:10—3:1, and Luke 1:5-17 each unfold the sublime facets of God's assurance and the unfolding of His divine plan through promise and purification. Psalm 27 is a heartfelt cry and a declaration of confidence, where David expresses unshakable trust in the Lord amidst adversity, affirming that the presence of God is the true sanctuary of the soul. Transitioning to Malachi, we encounter a prophetic call to honor the covenant, a reminder of the shared spiritual heritage that binds the people to one another and to the Lord. This passage warns of a refining fire, a messenger who will purify and prepare the way—a theme that reaches its profound echo in the New Testament. In Luke, the narrative shifts to the miraculous birth foretold of John the Baptist, the precursor to the Messiah, who comes in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn hearts and herald a new era. Together, these texts weave a narrative of expectation, of a journey from assurance in trial, through purification in righteousness, to the promise of redemption and the dawn of salvation.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 27
Unwavering Faith in the Face of Fear
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 27
Unwavering Faith in the Face of Fear
Psalm 27 is a vibrant declaration of faith and trust in the Lord, composed by David amidst his adversities. It stands as a testimony to the power of unshakeable faith in the face of daunting challenges and fears. David articulates a profound confidence in the Lord's protection and guidance, juxtaposing the darkness of his trials with the light of God's presence. This Psalm is an invitation to embrace the Lord as our sanctuary and to seek His face in all seasons of life. It encourages believers to remain steadfast, assuring them of the Lord's constant companionship and the ultimate triumph over all fears.1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear? *
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour me, *
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear; *
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek: *
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling; *
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me; *
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord; *
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” *
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger; *
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me, *
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord; *
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, *
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord *
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord; *
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts open, reflecting upon Your Word in Psalm 27. In the light of Your Scripture, we seek Your presence, for You are our light and our salvation. Whom shall we fear? You are the stronghold of our lives; before You, our fears dissipate like shadows at dawn.
Lord, as David declared his confidence in You, help us also to trust in Your protection. May we dwell in Your house all the days of our lives, gazing upon Your beauty and seeking You in Your temple. In times of trouble, conceal us under the shelter of Your sacred tabernacle, and set us high upon the rock of Your righteousness.
Teach us Your way, O Lord, and lead us on a straight path, despite the presence of our adversaries. Do not hand us over to the will of our foes, for false witnesses rise up against us, spouting malicious accusations. But we remain certain of one thing: we shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
We wait for You, Lord; our hearts are strong and courageous because our hope is in You. Help us to wait for You with patience and confidence, knowing that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.
In the face of all life's challenges and fears, let our hearts not despair but be lifted by the melody of Your unwavering love and protection. Bind us together in fellowship and peace, and let Your goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives.
In Your holy embrace, may we offer praises and sing songs of Your power and grace, for You have been our light in the darkness and our fortress in times of peril. To You, O God, we commit our spirits, for You are forever faithful.
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.”
In the poignant passage of Malachi 2:10 through 3:1, the Prophet Malachi speaks with a clarion call to the people of Israel, challenging their neglect of the sacred covenant and announcing the advent of a purifying hope. With a piercing question about their common fatherhood and faithlessness, Malachi exposes the fractures within their spiritual and social fabric—the betrayal of divine trust and the profaning of holy bonds in marriage. Yet, amidst this sharp rebuke, the horizon gleams with the promise of a purifying messenger, a forerunner to the Lord's own coming. This section of scripture confronts the somber realities of spiritual complacency and societal injustice, while simultaneously kindling the flames of expectation for a divine visitation that will cleanse and renew, turning the hearts of the wayward back to their covenantal roots and to each other in restored fellowship.2 10 Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?
11 Judah has been unfaithful. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the Lord loves by marrying women who worship a foreign god. 12 As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the Lord remove him from the tents of Jacob—even though he brings an offering to the Lord Almighty.
13 Another thing you do: You flood the Lord’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. 14 You ask, “Why?” It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.
15 Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.
16 “The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the Lord Almighty.
So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.
17 You have wearied the Lord with your words.
“How have we wearied him?” you ask.
By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?”
3 1 “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.
Commentary
As we delve into the specifics of Malachi 2:10-3:1, we see the prophet's message split into a dichotomy of present reality and future hope. In the present, Malachi deals with the reality of a community in spiritual crisis. The Israelites are called to reflect on their unfaithfulness to the covenant—social, marital, and spiritual. Their dealings with each other are reflective of their dealings with God, and Malachi does not mince words in declaring God's displeasure with their broken promises and half-hearted worship.
In Malachi 2:10-16, the focus is on the sacred institution of marriage, which is used as a metaphor for Israel's relationship with God. The people have been unfaithful, marrying outside of the faith and thus diluting their commitment to God's covenant. Moreover, the men of Judah have been dealing treacherously with the wives of their youth, whom they are bound to by covenant. God's displeasure is clear: He seeks godly offspring, a lineage that upholds the covenant faithfully.
Transitioning into Malachi 2:17-3:1, the tone shifts from indictment to the anticipation of cleansing and renewal. The people have wearied God with their words, yet they seem oblivious to their offenses, questioning how they have wearied Him. Malachi's response is to announce the coming of a messenger, who will prepare the way before the Lord. This messenger is often interpreted as a prophecy pointing to John the Baptist, who heralds the coming of Jesus Christ. The Lord Himself will come to His temple, but His coming is not merely for visitation—it is for purification.
The image of the refiner's fire and the launderer's soap is potent, illustrating a process that is simultaneously severe and necessary. The Levites, representing the spiritual leaders, must undergo this purification process so that their offerings may once again be acceptable to God. The implication is that through this divine refinement, the worship of God will be restored to its intended glory and the covenant community will be renewed.
In essence, Malachi bridges the gap between the people's current unfaithfulness and the hopeful purification that will enable a return to covenantal faithfulness. It's a message that calls for self-examination, repentance, and a hopeful anticipation of God's redemptive actions through His messenger—a message that resonates with all who seek to live in a right relationship with God.
In the opening chapter of the Gospel of Luke, we encounter a narrative steeped in anticipation and divine intervention, as the stage is set for the advent of two miraculous births that will forever change the course of human history. Within this sacred script, verses 5 through 17 of the first chapter present us with a compelling and prophetic announcement—the promised arrival of a forerunner, John the Baptist, whose life purpose is intricately woven into the messianic tapestry. This section not only heralds the birth of a significant prophetic figure but also serves as a prelude to the coming of the Messiah, framing the miraculous within the ordinary lives of a devout couple from the priestly division of Abijah. As we delve into this passage, let us open our hearts to the themes of hope, promise, and the awe-inspiring orchestration of God's plan for redemption.1 5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Commentary
The account begins with Zechariah and Elizabeth, a couple exemplary in their righteousness and obedience to God’s commandments. Despite their faithfulness, they bear the burden of Elizabeth's barrenness—a source of societal shame in their culture, yet a condition that is about to become a canvas for God's power. Their story reminds us that God often works beyond the realm of human expectations and limitations.
As Zechariah performs his priestly duties, an angel of the Lord appears, startling and stirring fear within him. This is no ordinary encounter; it is a divine appointment that shatters the silence of four hundred years since the last prophets spoke. The angel, Gabriel, brings good news that echoes the prophetic traditions of old—Zechariah’s prayer has been heard, and Elizabeth will bear a son named John.
The name John, meaning The Lord is gracious, encapsulates the essence of the passage. It signifies a divine favor that extends beyond personal joy to the collective salvation of Israel. The angel's message outlines John's Nazirite-like dedication to God and his pivotal role in the divine narrative. He is to be a man set apart, filled with the Holy Spirit from birth, and will turn many in Israel back to their God.
Moreover, John is destined to go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah (v. 17), a direct allusion to the prophecies of Malachi. He will be the bridge between the Old and New Testaments, reconciling parents with children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—preparing a people ready for the Lord.
This pericope teaches us that God’s plans are intricately orchestrated and revealed in His timing. Zechariah and Elizabeth's faithful service amidst disappointment, the unexpected appearance of Gabriel, and the future ministry of John all underscore a profound truth: God remembers His promises and prepares the way for redemption, often starting with the improbable to display His glory.
In these verses, Luke 1:5-17, we are invited to reflect on the ways God prepares us for His divine purposes. Just as John was a herald for Christ, each believer is called to prepare the way for the Lord in their own life, bearing witness to the light that is to come. The advent of John the Baptist serves as a beacon of the imminent fulfillment of God’s salvation plan, igniting hope for all generations that follow.
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 Wednesday, December 13, 2023
The Assurance of Divine Promise and Purification
Psalm 27; Malachi 2:10—3:1; Luke 1:5-17
In the sacred tapestry of Scripture, today's readings each unfold the sublime facets of God's assurance and the unfolding of His divine plan through promise and purification. Psalm 27 is a heartfelt cry and a declaration of confidence, where David expresses unshakable trust in the Lord amidst adversity, affirming that the presence of God is the true sanctuary of the soul. Transitioning to Malachi, we encounter a prophetic call to honor the covenant, a reminder of the shared spiritual heritage that binds the people to one another and to the Lord. This passage warns of a refining fire, a messenger who will purify and prepare the way—a theme that reaches its profound echo in the New Testament. In Luke, the narrative shifts to the miraculous birth foretold of John the Baptist, the precursor to the Messiah, who comes in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn hearts and herald a new era. Together, these texts weave a narrative of expectation, of a journey from assurance in trial, through purification in righteousness, to the promise of redemption and the dawn of salvation.
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