The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Friday, October 13, 2023
Divine Faithfulness, Human Frailty,
Friday, October 13, 2023
Divine Faithfulness, Human Frailty,
and the Call to Repentance
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Exodus 24:9-11; James 4:4-10
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Exodus 24:9-11; James 4:4-10
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
The journey of faith is marked by contrasting moments of divine providence and human imperfections. Through the scriptures, we see an unchanging God whose love and faithfulness are unwavering, juxtaposed with humanity's constant struggles with sin and unfaithfulness. Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 recounts the Israelites' cycle of sin and God's redemptive interventions, while Exodus 24:9-11 offers a glimpse of the covenantal relationship established between God and His chosen people. James 4:4-10, however, serves as a New Testament clarion call to repentance and humility before the Almighty. Together, these passages illuminate the tension between divine constancy and human fickleness, and the relentless grace that bridges the chasm. As we delve into these verses, we are reminded of the seriousness of our transgressions, the importance of genuine repentance, and the unwavering mercy of God who seeks a restored relationship with us.
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, Almighty God, we come before You today with hearts full of gratitude, acknowledging Your unfailing love and eternal faithfulness, as sung in Psalm 106. "Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." Your goodness surpasses our understanding, and Your mercy is boundless.
Yet, as we read further into the Psalm, we are confronted with our own imperfections, sins, and rebellions. We confess, like the Israelites, we too have sinned against You; we have done wrong, acted wickedly, and often forgotten Your miraculous deeds and blessings in our lives. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have turned to idols of our own making—be they materialism, selfish ambition, or other distractions that pull us away from You.
We are especially moved by the vivid reminders of how, despite human frailty, You have always extended Your hand of salvation. Even when Your people made a calf at Horeb and worshiped an idol, Moses stood in the gap, and Your wrath was turned away. We thank You for the intercessors You've placed in our lives and above all, for Jesus Christ, our ultimate Intercessor.
As we reflect on these passages, we humbly ask that You create in us a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within us. Stir within us the courage to stand in the gap for others, just as Moses did for the Israelites. Grant us the wisdom and humility to seek Your will in all things, that we may draw near to You as James instructs, resisting the devil and humbling ourselves before Your mighty hand.
May our lives be a living testament to Your eternal love and faithfulness.
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 24:9-11
Feasting with God
Feasting with God
Exodus 24:9-11 is a seminal moment in the relationship between God and the people of Israel. It occurs in the context of the Sinai narrative, where God has revealed His law to Moses and entered into a covenant with His chosen people. In these verses, a select group of Israelite leaders ascend Mount Sinai and experience an extraordinary, direct encounter with God. Unlike other theophanies in the Old Testament, this event is marked by its communal aspect and its display of covenantal fellowship through a shared meal. The passage serves as a remarkable illustration of the intimacy, sanctity, and grace encapsulated in the covenant relationship.9 Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up 10 and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky. 11 But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.
Commentary
Ascending the Mountain:
Moses, Aaron, and a select group of leaders are chosen for this profound experience. The ascent up the mountain signifies not just a physical journey but a spiritual elevation, stepping into the holy presence of God. The fact that 74 people are allowed to accompany Moses indicates that this revelation is intended for the broader community, not just a single prophet.
Vision of God:
The vision described is both vivid and enigmatic. It’s fascinating to note that while the leaders "saw the God of Israel," the text is cautious not to describe God directly but focuses on the "pavement made of lapis lazuli" under His feet. This restraint highlights the ineffable nature of God and respects the Jewish prohibition against creating an image of the divine.
Covenantal Meal:
What is profoundly unique about this experience is that the leaders ate and drank in God's presence. In the ancient Near East, sharing a meal was a sign of alliance, friendship, and peace. In this context, it signifies the deep relational aspect of the covenant—God is not just issuing commandments; He is establishing a relationship.
Divine Restraint:
The phrase "God did not raise his hand" stands out as an acknowledgment of God's grace and restraint. Given the holiness of God and the sinfulness of humanity, this direct encounter should have been deadly. But God's covenant is one of grace; He allows sinful human leaders to come into His presence without harm, foreshadowing the full expression of His grace through Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
Conclusion:
Exodus 24:9-11 is a profound snapshot of the divine-human relationship encapsulated in the covenant. It emphasizes not just God's holiness and majesty, but also His grace and desire for fellowship with His people. This scene serves as a powerful reminder of God's eternal commitment to humanity and sets the stage for the deeper understanding of covenant and grace that we see fully realized in the New Testament through Jesus Christ.
James 4:4-10 is a potent passage that confronts the reader with the serious implications of friendship with the world at the expense of one's relationship with God. Written by James, the brother of Jesus, this portion of the epistle focuses on repentance, humility, and the drawing near to God as prerequisites for divine grace. The passage is part of a broader discourse on the conflicts and quarrels among believers, but it narrows down to address individual responsibility in the spiritual journey. It serves as a challenging, yet encouraging guide for those who wish to deepen their faith and realign their priorities in the face of worldly temptations.4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”
but shows favor to the humble.”
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Commentary
Spiritual Adultery:
James starts off sharply by labeling his readers as "adulterous people," invoking Old Testament imagery where Israel's idolatry and unfaithfulness were often depicted as marital infidelity to God. The harsh term serves as a wakeup call, emphasizing the seriousness of aligning oneself with worldly desires over divine will.
Enmity Against God:
The text asserts that friendship with the world is tantamount to enmity against God. James doesn't mince words; he stresses that we cannot serve two masters. The choice to align with worldly values is a choice to distance oneself from God, and vice versa.
Divine Jealousy and Grace:
James hints at the intense desire God has for our loyalty. The notion of divine jealousy is rooted in God's love and the investment of His Spirit in us. Yet, in the same breath, James talks about the abundance of grace God offers, underscoring the relationship between humility and receiving divine grace.
A Blueprint for Repentance:
The passage outlines a sequence of actions aimed at realigning oneself with God: submission to God, resisting the devil, drawing near to God, washing one’s hands (symbolic for actions), and purifying one's heart (representing inner motives). These steps provide a concrete roadmap for repentance and reorientation towards a God-centered life.
Mourning and Humility:
James exhorts his readers to grieve, mourn, and change their laughter to mourning. This isn't a call to perpetual sorrow but rather a call to recognize and feel the weight of sin, leading to genuine repentance. The culmination of this process is humility before God, which then opens the door for divine exaltation—"he will lift you up."
Conclusion:
James 4:4-10 serves as both a warning and an encouragement. It cautions against the dangers of worldliness and the severe spiritual consequences it entails. However, it also provides a hopeful pathway back to God through repentance, resistance to evil, and humility. At its core, the passage extols the graciousness of God who, despite our failings, is ever-willing to draw near to us when we choose to draw near to Him.
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, October 13, 2023
Divine Faithfulness, Human Frailty, and the Call to Repentance
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Exodus 24:9-11; James 4:4-10
The journey of faith is marked by contrasting moments of divine providence and human imperfections. Through the scriptures, we see an unchanging God whose love and faithfulness are unwavering, juxtaposed with humanity's constant struggles with sin and unfaithfulness. Our readings in Psalms recounts the Israelites' cycle of sin and God's redemptive interventions, while our readings in Exodus offers a glimpse of the covenantal relationship established between God and His chosen people. Our readings in James, however, serves as a New Testament clarion call to repentance and humility before the Almighty. Together, these passages illuminate the tension between divine constancy and human fickleness, and the relentless grace that bridges the chasm. As we delve into these verses, we are reminded of the seriousness of our transgressions, the importance of genuine repentance, and the unwavering mercy of God who seeks a restored relationship with us.
