The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Friday, September 29, 2023
Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; Numbers 20:1-13; Acts 13:32-41
(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 78:1-4, 12-16
Recounting God’s power
Friday, September 29, 2023
Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; Numbers 20:1-13; Acts 13:32-41
(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 78:1-4, 12-16
Recounting God’s power
Psalm 78 serves as both a historical recounting and a spiritual reminder for the people of God. It opens with an earnest call to listen to the teachings that recount the glorious deeds of the Lord, aiming to keep the memory of God's works alive from one generation to the next. The psalmist exhorts the importance of oral tradition—of telling stories that describe God's power, miracles, and praiseworthy deeds.Hear my teaching, O my people; *
In verses 12-16, the Psalm delves into the wonders God performed during the time of the Exodus. From dividing the Red Sea to providing water in the wilderness, the Psalm emphasizes God's divine interventions that were not only miraculous but also life-sustaining. These past acts serve as perpetual reminders of God's power and care for His people.
In today's context, this Psalm calls us not just to remember but also to proclaim the goodness of God to the next generation. In an age where stories can be instantly shared across the globe, the mandate to tell of God's goodness is as relevant as ever.
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable; *
I will declare the mysteries of ancient times.
That which we have heard and known,
and what our forefathers have told us, *
we will not hide from their children.
We will recount to generations to come
the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the LORD, *
and the wonderful works he has done.
He worked marvels in the sight of their forefathers, *
in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
He split open the sea and let them pass through; *
he made the waters stand up like walls.
He led them with a cloud by day, *
and all the night through with a glow of fire.
He split the hard rocks in the wilderness *
and gave them drink as from the great deep.
He brought streams out of the cliff, *
and the waters gushed out like rivers.
Heavenly Father, we pause this day to hear Your teaching and to listen to the words that have been passed down through the ages. Your deeds are praiseworthy, Your power incomparable, and Your wonders beyond our understanding.
Lord, You have been our guide and provider, just as You were for our ancestors. You led them through seas and deserts, through trials and tribulations, and you nourished their souls and bodies. We stand as witnesses to Your continued miracles, Your unfailing love that sustains us day by day.
Help us, O God, to fulfill the charge laid out in this Psalm—to tell the next generation of Your goodness. May our lives be parables of Your faithfulness. Equip us with the words and the courage to share Your deeds with our children, our friends, and all who cross our paths.
We pray that as we recount Your wonders, future generations would be inspired to trust in You, just as we have. May Your stories of deliverance and provision be told in every corner of the earth, so that all may know You are the one true God, yesterday, today, and forever.
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.”
Numbers 20:1-13 is a critical passage in the Hebrew Bible, set against the backdrop of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. This section recounts a significant event involving Moses, Aaron, and the Israelite community at Meribah. The event is both dramatic and instructive, underscoring the challenges of leadership, the dire consequences of disobedience, and the unceasing demands of a frustrated community upon Moses and Aaron. It also shows God's power to provide but also His requirement for obedience and faithfulness from His chosen leaders.20 In the first month the whole Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried.
2 Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. 3 They quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! 4 Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? 5 Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!”
6 Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. 7 The Lord said to Moses, 8 “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.”
9 So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him. 10 He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” 11 Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.
12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”
13 These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the Lord and where he was proved holy among them.
Commentary
The Crisis of Thirst and Leadership:
The passage opens with the death of Miriam, a significant leader and prophetess among the Israelites. Her death seems to herald a period of crisis. Almost immediately afterward, we find the community embroiled in a conflict over water, a life-and-death matter in a desert environment. This event places Moses and Aaron under enormous pressure.
Divine Instruction and Human Failure:
God's instruction to Moses is clear: Take the staff, gather the assembly, and "speak to that rock before their eyes." God’s intention appears to be not just the provision of water but also a demonstration of His power and Moses’ obedience to the Israelites. However, Moses deviates from this instruction. He strikes the rock twice with his staff instead of speaking to it. While water does emerge, Moses' act is seen as a failure to honor God as holy "in the sight of the Israelites."
The Consequence:
The act might seem minor, but the consequences are severe. Moses and Aaron are told that they will not lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. This event marks a turning point in the narrative, signaling that the leadership will eventually pass to a new generation.
Symbolic Elements:
The rock and water can be seen symbolically. The rock symbolizes God’s steadfastness, and the water His grace and provision. Moses' act of striking the rock, instead of speaking to it as commanded, can be interpreted as a lack of faith and a failure to properly represent God’s graciousness and power to the people.
God’s Holiness:
Despite the Israelites' complaints and Moses' disobedience, God still provides water for the community. This event, named "Meribah," serves as a proving ground for God's holiness, demonstrating that even when His people fail, His holiness and commitment to provision remain.
In summary, Numbers 20:1-13 serves as a lesson about the sanctity of obedience, the challenges of leadership, and the unchanging holiness of God. It offers a somber reminder that even great leaders like Moses and Aaron are not above the divine requirement for faithfulness and obedience.
Acts 13:32-41 is situated within the larger context of the missionary journeys of Paul and Barnabas, as recorded in the book of Acts. Specifically, this passage captures a key moment in Paul's sermon in the synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia. Paul is addressing both Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, presenting to them the gospel message and connecting the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to the promises given to the people of Israel through their Scriptures. Paul’s aim is to show that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah and that, through Him, salvation is now available to all.32 “We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm:
“‘You are my son;
today I have become your father.’
34 God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said,
“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’
35 So it is also stated elsewhere:
“‘You will not let your holy one see decay.’
36 “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. 37 But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.
38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. 40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:
41 “‘Look, you scoffers,
wonder and perish,
for I am going to do something in your days
that you would never believe,
even if someone told you.’”
Commentary
Fulfillment of the Promise:
Paul starts by highlighting that Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel. He cites Psalm 2, which was traditionally interpreted as referring to the Davidic king, to support his claim that Jesus is the Son of God.
The Resurrection and the Davidic Covenant:
Paul then goes on to discuss the resurrection, emphasizing its uniqueness by contrasting it with the death of David. Unlike David, whose body saw decay, Jesus was raised to eternal life, fulfilling the promises made to David about an eternal kingdom.
Salvation Under a New Covenant:
In a very crucial point, Paul says that forgiveness and justification are available through Jesus, something that was not possible under the Mosaic Law. This would have been a radical notion for the Jewish listeners, as it redefines the concept of salvation, making it universally available through faith in Christ.
A Warning to the Unbelieving:
Paul concludes with a warning, quoting from the prophet Habakkuk. He cautions his audience not to scoff at the message, indicating that God is doing something extraordinary that many might find unbelievable.
In summary, Acts 13:32-41 serves as a theological anchor in the narrative of Acts, showcasing Paul’s skill in bridging Old Testament promises with the New Covenant realities in Christ. It presents Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for a universal understanding of salvation. The passage also serves as a cautionary message, urging the audience not to take lightly the seismic shift in God’s plan of salvation through Jesus 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. 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 Friday, September 29, 2023
Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; Numbers 20:1-13; Acts 13:32-41
Today's Psalm reading calls us not just to remember but also to proclaim the goodness of God to the next generation. In an age where stories can be instantly shared across the globe, the mandate to tell of God's goodness is as relevant as ever.
The passages in Numbers serves as a lesson about the sanctity of obedience, the challenges of leadership, and the unchanging holiness of God. It offers a somber reminder that even great leaders like Moses and Aaron are not above the divine requirement for faithfulness and obedience.
The passage in Acts serves as a theological anchor in the narrative of Acts, showcasing Paul’s skill in bridging Old Testament promises with the New Covenant realities in Christ. It presents Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for a universal understanding of salvation. The passage also serves as a cautionary message, urging the audience not to take lightly the seismic shift in God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.
