The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Monday, October 16, 2023
The Sovereignty of God
Monday, October 16, 2023
The Sovereignty of God
and the Faithfulness of His People
Psalm 97; Exodus 32:15-35; Jude 17-25
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
Psalm 97; Exodus 32:15-35; Jude 17-25
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
In exploring the intricate tapestry of divine sovereignty and human responsibility, three scriptural passages—Psalm 97, Exodus 32:15-35, and Jude 17-25—offer profound insights.
Together, these passages serve as a triptych that opens up a dialogue between divine sovereignty and human responsibility that invite us into a deeper understanding of God's majesty, the consequences of disobedience, and the call for steadfastness in faith. They challenge us to reconcile our understanding of an omnipotent God with the consequences of human actions, all while offering guidance on how to remain steadfast in a world fraught with challenges to faith.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 97
Light springs up for the righteous
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 97
Light springs up for the righteous
Psalm 97 is a stirring celebration of God's majestic sovereignty, filled with imagery of a world that rejoices at the reign of the divine King. This psalm is often associated with the collection known as the "Enthronement Psalms," emphasizing God's rulership over both the natural world and human societies. The text captures the awe and wonder of God's righteousness and justice, inviting all who read it to join in the rejoicing of creation and to partake in a life of righteousness. This psalm serves as a profound reminder that God is both powerful and just, offering solace to those in distress and motivation to live in alignment with divine principles. As you delve into the richness of this text, consider what it means for God to be sovereign in your life and how His righteous rule impacts your everyday decisions and interactions.1 The LORD is King;
let the earth rejoice; *
let the multitude of the isles be glad.
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him, *
righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne.
3 A fire goes before him *
and burns up his enemies on every side.
4 His lightnings light up the world; *
the earth sees it and is afraid.
5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, *
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness, *
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 Confounded be all who worship carved images
and delight in false gods! *
Bow down before him, all you gods.
8 Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice, *
because of your judgments, O LORD.
9 For you are the LORD,
most high over all the earth; *
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 The LORD loves those who hate evil; *
he preserves the lives of his saints
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light has sprung up for the righteous, *
and joyful gladness for those who are truehearted.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, *
and give thanks to his holy Name.
Heavenly Father, the One who reigns supreme over the heavens and the earth, we come before You with awe and wonder, mindful of the majesty described in Psalm 97. Your justice rolls on like an everlasting river, and Your righteousness stands as an impenetrable mountain. Your sovereignty envelops us, comforting us in times of trouble and guiding us in moments of uncertainty.
Lord, as we read and meditate on this psalm, fill our hearts with an unquenchable desire to align ourselves with Your righteousness. Just as the heavens declare Your righteousness and all the peoples see Your glory, may our lives reflect the light of Your love and the steadfastness of Your justice.
Help us, O Lord, to turn away from idols, falsehoods, and the deceptions that so easily ensnare us. May we find our joy in Your rule, our hope in Your justice, and our peace in Your eternal love. Inspire us to walk in paths that please You, that we might be like the righteous who rejoice in You and are glad.
We are grateful that You are our King, our Rock, and our Redeemer. May Your rule extend over every aspect of our lives, transforming us into beacons of Your grace, love, and justice.
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 32:15-35 is a compelling and sobering passage that deals with the Israelites' idolatry at Mount Sinai. As Moses descends the mountain with the Ten Commandments in hand, he confronts a scene of rebellion that stands in stark contrast to the divine laws he has just received. The episode is pivotal in understanding the complex relationship between divine grace and human rebellion, the dynamics of leadership and intercession, and the consequences of turning away from God. This narrative forces us to confront the weightiness of sin, but also the potential for repentance and mediation.15 Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back. 16 The tablets were the work of God; the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.
17 When Joshua heard the noise of the people shouting, he said to Moses, “There is the sound of war in the camp.”
18 Moses replied:
“It is not the sound of victory,
it is not the sound of defeat;
it is the sound of singing that I hear.”
it is not the sound of defeat;
it is the sound of singing that I hear.”
19 When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned and he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain. 20 And he took the calf the people had made and burned it in the fire; then he ground it to powder, scattered it on the water and made the Israelites drink it.
21 He said to Aaron, “What did these people do to you, that you led them into such great sin?”
22 “Do not be angry, my lord,” Aaron answered. “You know how prone these people are to evil. 23 They said to me, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.’ 24 So I told them, ‘Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.’ Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!”
25 Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies. 26 So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me.” And all the Levites rallied to him.
27 Then he said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbor.’” 28 The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died. 29 Then Moses said, “You have been set apart to the Lord today, for you were against your own sons and brothers, and he has blessed you this day.”
30 The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.”
31 So Moses went back to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. 32 But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.”
33 The Lord replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. 34 Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.”
35 And the Lord struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf Aaron had made.
Commentary
Verses 15-20: The Tablets and the Calf
Moses, carrying the tablets inscribed by God Himself, descends the mountain to witness the Israelites engaged in idolatry. His reaction of breaking the tablets is symbolic: the Israelites have already shattered the covenant. The destruction of the golden calf, ground to powder and mixed with water for the Israelites to drink, serves as a tangible manifestation of the consequences of sin—a bitter taste, indeed.
Verses 21-24: Aaron's Weak Leadership
Aaron's role in facilitating the idolatry is tragic. Entrusted with leadership in Moses' absence, Aaron fails, allowing the people to manipulate him. His weak attempt to justify his actions illustrates the feeble nature of human excuses when confronted with sin. Moses' questioning underscores that leaders are held to higher accountability.
Verses 25-29: The Levites and the Call to Faithfulness
Moses' call for those who are for the Lord to come to him is a moment of decision. The tribe of Levi chooses rightly, standing with Moses. Their action in slaying their fellow Israelites is shocking but serves to demonstrate the severe consequences of turning away from God. In the Levites' faithfulness, they consecrate themselves—a stark contrast to the earlier desecration of the Israelite community.
Verses 30-35: Moses' Intercession
Moses returns to the mountain to plead for the Israelites, offering himself as a sacrificial substitute. Although God denies this offer, the episode showcases the highest form of leadership—intercession and willingness for self-sacrifice for the good of the people. Yet, sin still carries a weighty toll, and the passage ends on a somber note: God sending a plague as a consequence for the golden calf incident.
In summary, Exodus 32:15-35 is a potent narrative illustrating the devastation of human rebellion against God, the responsibilities and failures of leadership, and the dire consequences of communal sin. Yet, it also contains glimmers of hope: the intercessory role of righteous leadership and the possibility of consecration even after the most grievous failures. This passage serves as a cautionary tale, urging fidelity to God and His commandments, as well as offering instructive insights into spiritual leadership and communal responsibility.
The brief but powerful epistle of Jude closes with a section that serves as both an exhortation and a doxology, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith while ascribing glory to God. Verses 17-25 cover a range of topics, from heeding the warnings of apostles to the importance of prayer and the role of mercy. Ultimately, the passage assures believers of God's ability to keep them from falling and presents them blameless before His presence. Jude 17-25 is rich with theological insights and practical applications, offering Christians valuable guidance on how to live faithfully in a world rife with deception and moral compromise.17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Commentary
Verses 17-19: Heed the Warnings
Jude starts by reminding the readers to recall the teachings of the apostles, who warned of scoffers and divisive people. This sets the stage for the rest of the section by establishing the reliability of apostolic teaching as an antidote to false doctrine.
Verses 20-21: Building Faith and Abiding in Love
Jude emphasizes the importance of self-responsibility in spiritual growth. He urges believers to build themselves up in faith and to pray in the Holy Spirit. This implies that while external teachings and community are important, internal spiritual disciplines are crucial. Jude also calls believers to "keep yourselves in God's love," indicating that abiding in divine love is both a command and a safeguard against spiritual drift.
Verses 22-23: Acts of Mercy and Discernment
Jude encourages believers to show mercy and to save others by snatching them from the fire. This reflects an active role in the community, calling for discernment and action to rescue those flirting with spiritual danger. Yet, he also adds the caution to "hate even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh," warning believers not to compromise their own integrity while engaging in acts of mercy.
Verses 24-25: A Doxology to God’s Glory
The epistle closes with one of the most eloquent doxologies in the New Testament. It highlights God's power to "keep you from stumbling" and to present you "blameless" before Him. This serves to comfort and assure believers that, despite the challenges and pitfalls they face, God's sustaining grace is sufficient. Jude attributes to God glory, majesty, power, and authority, both now and forever, establishing the eternal nature of God's sovereignty.
In summary, Jude 17-25 serves as a powerful ending to a letter deeply concerned with the integrity of the Christian faith. It calls believers to a life of active faithfulness, rooted in apostolic teaching, fortified by personal spiritual discipline, and engaged in acts of mercy and discernment. All of this is undergirded by the confidence that God, who is sovereign and majestic, has both the power and the will to keep His people secure, culminating in a doxology that redirects all attention and glory back 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 Monday, October 16, 2023
The Sovereignty of God and the Faithfulness of His People
Psalm 97; Exodus 32:15-35; Jude 17-25
In exploring the intricate tapestry of divine sovereignty and human responsibility, the three scriptural passages today offer profound insights. Together, these passages serve as a triptych that opens up a dialogue between divine sovereignty and human responsibility that invite us into a deeper understanding of God's majesty, the consequences of disobedience, and the call for steadfastness in faith. They challenge us to reconcile our understanding of an omnipotent God with the consequences of human actions, all while offering guidance on how to remain steadfast in a world fraught with challenges to faith.
