The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Monday, September 25, 2023
Psalm 119:97-104; Exodus 16:31-35; Romans 16:1-16
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 119:97-104
God’s word sweeter than honey
Monday, September 25, 2023
Psalm 119:97-104; Exodus 16:31-35; Romans 16:1-16
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 119:97-104
God’s word sweeter than honey
The Bible's Psalm 119 is a poetic masterpiece devoted to extolling the virtues of God's law and instruction. The psalm is an acrostic, divided into sections each starting with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and it's the longest chapter in the Book of Psalms. The verses from 97 to 104 provide a window into the psalmist's love for God's law.Oh, how I love your law! *
all the day long it is in my mind.
Your commandment has made me wiser than my enemies, *
and it is always with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers, *
for your decrees are my study.
I am wiser than the elders, *
because I observe your commandments.
I restrain my feet from every evil way, *
that I may keep your word.
I do not shrink from your judgments, *
because you yourself have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste! *
they are sweeter than honey to my mouth.
Through your commandments I gain understanding; *
therefore I hate every lying way.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I come before You in awe and wonder, grateful for Your Word that serves as a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Just as the psalmist declared his love for Your law, so do I find joy and peace in meditating on Your commands and teachings.
Oh Lord, Your Word makes me wiser than my enemies, granting me discernment and clarity in a world often clouded by confusion and deceit. I thank You for the wisdom that comes from spending time in Your presence, reflecting on Your statutes.
Father, Your commands have brought me more insight than any worldly education could offer. I ask for a heart that continually seeks to understand and apply Your precepts, valuing them above the opinions or teachings of men. Give me the wisdom that surpasses what even the elders possess, for I know Your understanding is infinite.
Lord, help me to keep my feet from every evil path. Strengthen me in my resolve to obey Your Word in all things. Let Your teachings guide me in every decision, for it is only through Your laws that I find the true way.
How sweet are Your words to my taste, Lord, sweeter than honey! May I always find joy and comfort in Your promises. Fill me with a hunger and a thirst for Your Word that nothing else can satisfy.
As I gain understanding from Your precepts, give me the courage to reject every wrong path, to discern between good and evil, and to stand firm in the truth. Your Word is not just a collection of teachings but the very essence of life and wisdom.
Thank You, Lord, for the gift of Your Word, a gift that keeps on giving, a treasure beyond measure. I commit myself anew to loving, studying, and applying Your Word in every area of my life.
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.”
The passage Exodus 16:31-35 is part of the larger narrative of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. These verses focus on the provision of manna, a miraculous food that God provided for His people.The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the wilderness when I brought you out of Egypt.’”
So Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar and put an omer of manna in it. Then place it before the Lord to be kept for the generations to come.”
As the Lord commanded Moses, Aaron put the manna with the tablets of the covenant law, so that it might be preserved. The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.
Commentary
The Nature of Manna
Verse 31 offers a description of what manna looked like and how it tasted. It was "white like coriander seed" and had a taste "like wafers made with honey." This visual and sensory description helps readers to imagine the substance that was both mysterious and miraculous. In a barren wilderness, this food was not only nourishing but also enjoyable, tasting like honey.
Preservation for Future Generations
In verses 32-34, Moses commands Aaron to take a jar and put an omer of manna in it to be kept for future generations. This was not just about food preservation; it was about memory preservation. By keeping a sample of manna, future generations would be able to see and remember God's faithfulness during a period of extreme vulnerability and need. Aaron placed the jar of manna beside the tablets of the covenant, symbolizing the intimate link between God's provision (manna) and God's law (the Ten Commandments).
Sustenance for the Journey
Verse 35 informs us that the Israelites ate manna for forty years until they reached the border of Canaan. This long duration emphasizes the magnitude and importance of God’s providential care. The text underscores that this divine provision ceased once they reached a land where normal agricultural activity could resume. In other words, God’s miraculous provision was specially tailored for a specific context of need.
Conclusion
Exodus 16:31-35 serves as a profound reminder of God's provision and faithfulness. Manna was not just a stopgap measure; it was a sustained act of care over four decades. The preservation of manna for future generations serves as a physical reminder and a symbol that God’s acts of kindness and provision should never be forgotten. The alignment with the law suggests that God's provision and God’s commandments go hand in hand — obedience to God is closely linked with experiencing His care and blessings. Finally, the cessation of the manna upon reaching Canaan indicates that God’s provision is both timely and contextual, adapted to the specific needs of His people.
The passage Romans 16:1-16 is the beginning of the final chapter of the Book of Romans, which is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian community in Rome. This section is unique because it serves as a lengthy greeting and commendation of various individuals. The names listed and the relationships mentioned offer insights into the early Christian community and its diversity, social dynamics, and mutual care.I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
Greet also the church that meets at their house.
Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.
Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.
Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test.
Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.
Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.
Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.
Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.
Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.
Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the churches of Christ send greetings.
Commentary
Phoebe, the Deacon
Paul begins by commending Phoebe, a deacon in the church at Cenchreae, who is likely the one carrying the letter to Rome. This is notable for several reasons. First, Phoebe is described as a deacon (or servant), one of the earliest instances recognizing a woman in church leadership. Second, Phoebe is said to have been a "benefactor of many people, including [Paul]." This implies not just service, but significant influence and resources.
Priscilla and Aquila
Priscilla and Aquila are described as Paul's "fellow workers in Christ Jesus" who risked their lives for him. This husband-and-wife team is often cited for their egalitarian partnership in ministry, and their inclusion here emphasizes the communal and cooperative aspects of early Christian work.
Andronicus and Junia
Verses 7 mentions Andronicus and Junia, who are "outstanding among the apostles." This is significant because Junia is a female name, making her one of the earliest women recognized as an apostle. They are also mentioned as relatives of Paul and as having been in prison with him, signifying deep bonds both familial and spiritual.
Diverse Households
The list contains several households, including those of Aristobulus and Narcissus. Households in the Greco-Roman context often included extended family and servants, indicating that the Christian message had permeated various social strata.
Various Roles and Contributions
Throughout the list, different people are commended for various types of service: hard work, risk-taking, hosting churches in their homes, etc. This variety underscores the many ways individuals contributed to the growth and health of the early church.
Theology in Greetings
While the passage seems filled with personal greetings, there is an underlying theological message. Paul’s acknowledgment of these individuals paints a picture of a church that is diverse, active, and comprised of people who contribute in a multitude of ways, regardless of gender or social status.
Conclusion
Romans 16:1-16, while appearing to be a simple list of greetings, offers a rich tapestry of the early Christian community. It shows a diverse body of believers contributing to the community in various capacities. It challenges traditional social norms, especially regarding the roles of women and households in the church. Finally, it gives us a glimpse into the relationships that made the early church a strong and vibrant community. The passage encourages us to appreciate the diverse gifts within our own faith communities and to recognize the value that each person brings to the collective work of the church.
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. Responsive Readings from the Common Book of Prayer (1789). 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 Monday, September 25, 2023
Psalm 119:97-104; Exodus 16:31-35; Romans 16:1-16
The Bible's Psalm 119 is a poetic masterpiece devoted to extolling the virtues of God's law and instruction. The psalm is an acrostic, divided into sections each starting with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and it's the longest chapter in the Book of Psalms. The verses from 97 to 104 provide a window into the psalmist's love for God's law.
The passage in Exodus is part of the larger narrative of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. These verses focus on the provision of manna, a miraculous food that God provided for His people.
The passage in Romans is the beginning of the final chapter of the Book of Romans, which is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian community in Rome. This section is unique because it serves as a lengthy greeting and commendation of various individuals. The names listed and the relationships mentioned offer insights into the early Christian community and its diversity, social dynamics, and mutual care.
