The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Covenant, Community, and Commitment:
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Covenant, Community, and Commitment:
Exploring the Relational Dynamics
between God and His People
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Exodus 24:1-8; 1 Peter 5:1-5, 12-14
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Exodus 24:1-8; 1 Peter 5:1-5, 12-14
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
The three biblical passages—Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Exodus 24:1-8; and 1 Peter 5:1-5, 12-14—intersect around vital themes of covenant, community, and commitment. Each passage, in its unique way, sheds light on the divine-human relationship and how that relationship manifests in community structures, leadership roles, and mutual responsibilities.
Together, these passages offer rich perspectives on the complexity and beauty of the divine-human relationship, taking us on a journey through the highs and lows of covenantal living, and guiding us toward building faith communities anchored in the principles of divine love, human responsibility, and mutual respect.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
God’s favor for the people
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
God’s favor for the people
Psalm 106 is a hymn of praise and remembrance, highlighting God's steadfast love and mercy alongside the failings and sins of His people. This particular selection—verses 1-6 and 19-23—captures the essence of God's graciousness and human shortcomings. The first few verses serve as a call to give thanks to the Lord for His enduring love and wondrous deeds. Yet, the Psalm is also candid about human imperfection, recalling moments when the Israelites turned away from God, even to the point of idol worship. This juxtaposition provides a humbling reminder: despite our failings, God's love remains constant, and His readiness to intervene for our salvation is everlasting.1 Hallelujah!
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
2 Who can declare the mighty acts of the LORD *
or show forth all his praise?
3 Happy are those who act with justice *
and always do what is right!
4 Remember me, O LORD, with the favor you have
for your people, *
and visit me with your saving help;
5 That I may see the prosperity of your elect
and be glad with the gladness of your people, *
that I may glory with your inheritance.
6 We have sinned as our forebears did; *
we have done wrong and dealt wickedly.
19 Israel made a bull-calf at Horeb *
and worshiped a molten image;
20 And so they exchanged their Glory *
for the image of an ox that feeds on grass.
21 They forgot God their Savior, *
who had done great things in Egypt,
22 Wonderful deeds in the land of Ham, *
and fearful things at the Red Sea.
23 So he would have destroyed them,
had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, *
to turn away his wrath from consuming them.
Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging Your everlasting love and countless miracles that fill our lives. Your mercies are new every morning, and Your faithfulness stretches from generation to generation.
"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever," we echo the Psalmist in our praise. Yet Lord, we also recognize our own weaknesses and failings. We confess the times we have turned away from You, the moments when we have put our trust in worldly things, forsaking Your eternal wisdom.
Like the Israelites who fashioned a calf of molten gold, we too have created idols in our lives—whether material possessions, career ambitions, or even relationships—that distract us from Your holy presence. Forgive us, Lord, for these moments of frailty and disobedience.
Thank You for Your mercy that abounds even when we falter, for Your compassion that never fails. We recall Your divine interventions throughout history, how You spared Your people through the intercession of Moses, and we are filled with awe and gratitude.
As we meditate on Psalm 106, let its words resonate deeply within us, reminding us of both Your unchanging love and our continual need for repentance and transformation. We pray that our lives may be a testament to Your grace, and that our actions will bring honor to Your name.
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.”
Exodus 24:1-8 represents a critical juncture in the biblical narrative, marking the formal establishment of the Mosaic covenant between God and the Israelites at Mount Sinai. This moment encapsulates the culmination of a long journey, both physical and spiritual, where the Israelite people transition from bondage in Egypt to covenantal community under God's law. This passage captures the ceremonial and legal aspects of the covenant, underscoring the gravity and commitment involved in this divine-human relationship.24 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. You are to worship at a distance, 2 but Moses alone is to approach the Lord; the others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him.”
The text falls within the larger context of the Sinai narratives that include the giving of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 and the more detailed laws and instructions in Exodus 21-23. Exodus 24 serves as a liturgical climax, bringing these teachings to life through the ritual of covenant-making.
3 When Moses went and told the people all the Lord’s words and laws, they responded with one voice, “Everything the Lord has said we will do.” 4 Moses then wrote down everything the Lord had said.
He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the Lord. 6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splashed against the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.”
8 Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
Commentary
Verse 1-2: Invitation and Separation
God invites Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel to ascend the mountain but instructs that only Moses should come near to God. This sets a hierarchical framework, emphasizing Moses's unique mediatory role while still involving the broader leadership in this divine encounter to witness the event from a distance.
Verse 3: Reporting and Unanimous Acceptance
Moses descends and relays God's laws and commands to the Israelite people, who respond with unanimous consent: "Everything the Lord has said we will do." This is a public affirmation of their commitment, a voluntary submission to divine authority.
Verse 4: Memorialization in Stone and Altar
To memorialize this commitment, Moses writes down the laws and constructs an altar. The twelve stone pillars symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel. Writing down the laws and building an altar makes the covenant tangible, with a physical reminder of the sacred obligations agreed upon.
Verse 5-6: Ritual of Sacrifice
Young Israelite men offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Half of the blood from these sacrifices is sprinkled on the altar. Blood plays a central role in biblical sacrificial systems, often symbolizing life and purification. The sprinkling of blood on the altar signifies the sanctification and dedication of the people's commitment to God.
Verse 7: Recitation of the Covenant
The Book of the Covenant, likely referring to the laws mentioned in Exodus 21-23, is read aloud for the people to hear. Again, they affirm their commitment: "We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey."
Verse 8: Sealing the Covenant
Moses then sprinkles the remaining blood on the people, saying, "This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you." The act of sprinkling the blood on the people serves to ratify the covenant, sealing their agreed obligations to follow God’s law. It's a vivid, almost visceral, reminder of the life-and-death seriousness of their commitment.
Conclusion:
Exodus 24:1-8 serves as an extraordinary testament to the intricate relationship between divine law and human commitment. The events on Mount Sinai not only set the legal and moral framework for Israel but also outline the spiritual dynamics of covenantal relationships, which continue to be relevant for theological reflection and communal life today.
The epistle of 1 Peter is traditionally attributed to the Apostle Peter and is written to a community of early Christians who are facing various forms of suffering and persecution. The letter aims to offer comfort and encouragement, emphasizing the virtues of hope, endurance, and submission to God’s will. In 1 Peter 5:1-5, 12-14, Peter focuses on the responsibilities and attitudes of church leaders and members towards one another, providing guidelines for humble, compassionate leadership and mutual respect within the Christian community. This section serves as both an instructional manual for church leaders and a call for unity and humility among all believers.5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”
but shows favor to the humble.”
12 With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.
13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Commentary
Verses 1-2: Exhortation to Elders
Peter begins by addressing the elders, highlighting his own credentials as a "witness of Christ’s sufferings" and as one who will share in future glory. He urges them to "be shepherds of God’s flock," implying that their role is not merely administrative but pastoral. They are to care, guide, and protect the believers under their charge willingly and eagerly, not out of obligation or for personal gain.
Verse 3: Not Lording Over Others
Leaders are instructed not to be domineering. The original Greek term here implies a sense of exploitation and superiority. Peter emphasizes servant leadership, asking elders to serve as examples to their flock, which aligns with Jesus’ own teaching on leadership.
Verse 4: The Chief Shepherd
Peter introduces Christ as the "Chief Shepherd," highlighting that earthly leaders are under the authority of Christ and will receive an "unfading crown of glory" for faithful service. This metaphor reinforces the notion of Jesus as the ultimate example of pastoral care and the one to whom all leaders are accountable.
Verse 5: Mutual Humility
Peter extends his teaching on humility to younger people and, in essence, to the community at large. Everyone is advised to "clothe yourselves with humility," indicating that humility isn’t just an inward virtue but should be an outward, visible quality. The rationale for this is grounded in Proverbs 3:34, "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."
Verses 12-14: Closing Remarks
In his concluding remarks, Peter identifies Silas as his co-writer or messenger and describes the brief letter as an exhortation and testimony to the "true grace of God." He encourages the readers to stand firm in this grace. Peter then sends greetings from "she who is in Babylon," likely a coded reference to the church in Rome, and ends the letter with a call for peace and love within the Christian community.
Conclusion:
1 Peter 5:1-5, 12-14 functions as a concise but profound guide on Christian leadership and community life. It advocates for a model of leadership grounded in the example of Christ, emphasizing the need for willing, humble service rather than authoritarian control. The passage also calls for mutual humility and respect among all members of the community, regardless of their role or status. In doing so, it sets the foundation for a church that mirrors the love, humility, and servant leadership exemplified by Christ himself.
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 Thursday, October 12, 2023
Covenant, Community, and Commitment: Exploring the Relational Dynamics between God and His People
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Exodus 24:1-8; 1 Peter 5:1-5, 12-14
The three biblical passages of today's readings intersect around vital themes of covenant, community, and commitment. Each passage, in its unique way, sheds light on the divine-human relationship and how that relationship manifests in community structures, leadership roles, and mutual responsibilities. Together, these passages offer rich perspectives on the complexity and beauty of the divine-human relationship, taking us on a journey through the highs and lows of covenantal living, and guiding us toward building faith communities anchored in the principles of divine love, human responsibility, and mutual respect.
