The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Sovereignty, Accountability, and Spiritual Sustenance: Understanding God's Rule, Human Choices, and the Bread of Life
Psalm 97; 2 Kings 17:7-20; John 6:25-35
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Sovereignty, Accountability, and Spiritual Sustenance: Understanding God's Rule, Human Choices, and the Bread of Life
Psalm 97; 2 Kings 17:7-20; John 6:25-35
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
In an intricate tapestry of divine authority, human responsibility, and spiritual nourishment, Psalm 97, 2 Kings 17:7-20, and John 6:25-35 collectively offer a profound exploration of the dynamics between God and mankind. These passages from different books of the Bible each provide a unique lens through which to understand the multi-faceted relationship we have with the Divine.
Psalm 97 is an exultant hymn celebrating the majesty and righteousness of God. The psalmist vividly portrays a God who reigns supreme over the earth, a God whose very essence is justice and whose sovereignty inspires awe and worship. This text prompts us to consider the nature of God's rule and how it impacts not just Israel, but the whole world.
Contrastingly, 2 Kings 17:7-20 presents a sobering narrative describing the downfall of the Israelites due to their disobedience and idolatry. Despite God's sovereign rule, human actions and choices matter significantly. The passage reveals the consequences of straying from God’s laws, underscoring the responsibilities and accountabilities that come with free will and divine covenant.
Finally, the text from John 6:25-35 explores the theme of spiritual sustenance through Jesus Christ, who declares Himself to be the "Bread of Life." In a context where people are seeking physical nourishment and miraculous signs, Jesus redirects their attention to the deeper, spiritual hunger that only He can satisfy. This New Testament passage illuminates God's provision in a spiritual sense, connecting back to the overarching themes of divine sovereignty and human responsibility by revealing Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of God's rule and covenant promises.
By examining these three passages together, we can glean a comprehensive understanding of how God's sovereignty is intricately linked with human choice and spiritual fulfillment. These texts challenge us to reflect on our own lives, urging us to align ourselves with God's righteous rule, take responsibility for our actions, and seek the spiritual nourishment that comes only from a relationship with Jesus Christ.
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, Creator of heaven and earth, we bow before Your holy throne, acknowledging Your majesty and power. Psalm 97 tells us that You, O Lord, reign, and the earth rejoices, the far-off islands are glad. How wonderful it is to serve a God who reigns over all the earth, whose dominion is without end.
Father, Your righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne. Fire goes before You and consumes Your foes on every side. We are grateful for Your eternal justice, which is perfect in every way. Help us to walk in righteousness, to be a light in a world that so desperately needs Your love and justice.
We are in awe of Your majesty, how Your lightning lights up the world and makes the mountains melt like wax before You. May we never forget how great You are and may our lives reflect the awe and wonder that You deserve.
Your heavens proclaim Your righteousness, and all the peoples see Your glory. Help us, Lord, to also proclaim Your righteousness and glory through our actions and words. Equip us to be Your ambassadors, to spread the good news of Your reign.
Father, You promise to guard the lives of Your faithful ones and deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Thank You for being our protector and guide. Help us to put our complete trust in You, in every circumstance. For those who love You, You promise light and joy. Fill us, O Lord, with this light and joy, that we might share it with others.
Lord, as we strive to worship You in spirit and truth, guard us from false idols and from worshipping the creations of our own hands. You alone are God, and besides You, there is no other. May our lives be a constant act of worship to You.
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 from 2 Kings 17:7-20 serves as a sobering summary and reflection on the spiritual decline and subsequent exile of the Israelites. These verses specifically focus on the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which fell to the Assyrian Empire in 722 BCE. The text outlines in a straightforward manner why the collapse and exile occurred: Israel's repeated failure to adhere to the covenant they had with God.7 All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshiped other gods 8 and followed the practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced. 9 The Israelites secretly did things against the Lord their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city they built themselves high places in all their towns. 10 They set up sacred stones and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every spreading tree. 11 At every high place they burned incense, as the nations whom the Lord had driven out before them had done. They did wicked things that aroused the Lord’s anger. 12 They worshiped idols, though the Lord had said, “You shall not do this.” 13 The Lord warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: “Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your ancestors to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.”
The events are not merely historical footnotes but serve as cautionary tales and theological reflections on the consequences of disobedience to God's laws and the forsaking of the covenant relationship.
14 But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their ancestors, who did not trust in the Lord their God. 15 They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors and the statutes he had warned them to keep. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them, “Do not do as they do.”
16 They forsook all the commands of the Lord their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves, and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the starry hosts, and they worshiped Baal. 17 They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sought omens and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger.
18 So the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left, 19 and even Judah did not keep the commands of the Lord their God. They followed the practices Israel had introduced. 20 Therefore the Lord rejected all the people of Israel; he afflicted them and gave them into the hands of plunderers, until he thrust them from his presence.
Commentary
Disobedience and Its Roots (Verses 7-8)
The passage begins with a clear-cut statement: Israel's unfaithfulness is the reason for their downfall. The people of Israel are accused of adopting the practices and customs of the nations God had driven out before them. This is in direct violation of God's commands, which explicitly forbade the Israelites from adopting the idolatrous and immoral ways of the nations around them.
Repeated Warnings (Verses 9-10, 13-14)
The text makes it clear that this disobedience was not without warning. Prophets and seers were sent to guide the people back to the righteous path, but their messages were ignored. This wasn't a one-time failure; it was a continuous rejection of divine guidance. God's longsuffering and patient attempts to correct Israel's path are made abundantly clear.
The High Cost of Disobedience (Verses 11-12, 15-18)
Idol worship and the adoption of foreign religious practices weren't minor infractions. These were high crimes against God, in direct violation of the first two of the Ten Commandments. The gravity of these actions led to severe consequences: God's protective hand was lifted, and the Israelites were left vulnerable to their enemies. This culminated in the sack of the Northern Kingdom by Assyria and the mass deportation of its citizens—events that shattered the unity and identity of the Israelite people.
God’s Just Judgment (Verses 19-20)
The passage ends on a severe note: even Judah, the Southern Kingdom, did not wholly keep God's commands, indicating that they too are under the threat of judgment. God's justice is portrayed as unwavering; His covenant demands full commitment, not partial obedience.
Conclusion
2 Kings 17:7-20 serves as a theological reflection on Israel’s history, offering a clear cause-and-effect relationship between disobedience to God and national catastrophe. It serves as a warning that the covenant with God is not to be taken lightly and that continued disobedience will result in dire consequences. The text invites its readers to take seriously the covenantal relationship with God, recognizing that blessings and protection come through obedience, while disobedience leads to ruin.
This passage can be a compelling reminder for contemporary readers that the spiritual health of a community or nation has significant consequences, not only for the present but also for future generations.
John 6:25-35, commonly known as the "Bread of Life Discourse," is a seminal passage in the New Testament that features Jesus unfolding deep theological insights in response to a straightforward inquiry about bread. Coming right after the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, this passage delves into the spiritual hunger that transcends the physical needs and how Jesus himself is the ultimate answer to that longing. This section is rich in symbolism, foreshadowing the Last Supper, and it challenges readers to examine what they are truly seeking.25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
30 So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”
32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
Commentary
Seeking the Wrong Kind of Bread (Verses 25-27)
As the passage opens, the crowd is in active pursuit of Jesus, but their reasons are flawed. They seek Jesus not because they recognize His divinity or the spiritual nourishment He offers, but because their physical hunger was satisfied. Jesus immediately confronts this materialistic view. The "food that spoils" symbolizes worldly gains and satisfactions that are fleeting. On the other hand, "food that endures to eternal life" suggests spiritual sustenance, which is everlasting and can only be provided by Jesus, whom God the Father has authenticated.
The Work of God (Verses 28-29)
When the crowd asks what work they must do, Jesus offers a paradigm shift. He points out that the "work" God desires is faith in the one He has sent. This is a critical departure from the Jewish understanding of religious works, stressing that it’s not about human effort to please God, but about accepting God's gift of grace through Jesus.
The Sign of the Manna (Verses 30-31)
The crowd’s request for a sign, specifically referring to manna, their ancestors received in the wilderness, is ironic because they had just witnessed the miraculous feeding. They are still fixated on physical sustenance and also challenge Jesus to match or surpass Moses' feats. This shows their inability to recognize the greater, spiritual nourishment Jesus is offering.
Jesus, the True Bread from Heaven (Verses 32-33)
Jesus corrects their understanding of history and theology. It wasn't Moses who provided the manna but God. More importantly, Jesus identifies Himself as the "true bread from heaven." Unlike manna, which sustained but ultimately could not prevent death, Jesus offers eternal life.
Belief and Invitation (Verses 34-35)
The crowd, still thinking in physical terms, asks for this bread. Jesus’ response is a powerful declaration of His identity and mission: "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." Jesus succinctly encapsulates the promise of spiritual satisfaction and eternal life for those who come to Him in faith.
Conclusion
The Bread of Life Discourse in John 6:25-35 serves as a thematic nucleus for understanding the purpose and mission of Jesus Christ. It transitions the conversation from physical needs to spiritual hunger and offers Jesus as the ultimate solution to humanity's deepest needs. It challenges us to examine our motives for following Jesus and invites us to partake in the true bread from heaven for eternal life. Through this passage, we are invited to reorient our lives and priorities in light of the spiritual sustenance only Jesus can provide.
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 Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Sovereignty, Accountability, and Spiritual Sustenance: Understanding God's Rule, Human Choices, and the Bread of Life
Psalm 97; 2 Kings 17:7-20; John 6:25-35
In an intricate tapestry of divine authority, human responsibility, and spiritual nourishment, the passage readings today collectively offer a profound exploration of the dynamics between God and mankind. These passages from different books of the Bible each provide a unique lens through which to understand the multi-faceted relationship we have with the Divine. By examining these three passages together, we can glean a comprehensive understanding of how God's sovereignty is intricately linked with human choice and spiritual fulfillment. These texts challenge us to reflect on our own lives, urging us to align ourselves with God's righteous rule, take responsibility for our actions, and seek the spiritual nourishment that comes only from a relationship with Jesus Christ.
