The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Sovereignty, Obedience, and the Cost of Discipleship
Psalm 99; Exodus 39:32-43; Matthew 14:1-12
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Sovereignty, Obedience, and the Cost of Discipleship
Psalm 99; Exodus 39:32-43; Matthew 14:1-12
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
The passages of Psalm 99, Exodus 39:32-43, and Matthew 14:1-12 offer a compelling tapestry of themes that are central to the faith journey. These texts collectively highlight the profound elements of God's sovereignty, human obedience to divine directives, and the steep price that often accompanies the call to discipleship.
Psalm 99 is an exuberant hymn of praise that magnifies the Lord's sovereignty over His creation and His faithfulness to His covenant with Israel. It calls us to worship the Lord, who is holy and just, emphasizing the supremacy of God's rule over all the earth.
Exodus 39:32-43 gives us a glimpse into the meticulous obedience of the Israelites in constructing the Tabernacle, according to God's explicit instructions. The passage serves as a testament to the benefits and blessings that come from obeying God's commands in every detail. It signifies how human efforts, aligned with divine directives, result in blessings and approval from God.
Matthew 14:1-12 recounts the beheading of John the Baptist, a somber story that reflects the harsh realities of discipleship. John the Baptist paid the ultimate price for his boldness in proclaiming truth and righteousness. His life serves as a sobering reminder that the path of discipleship often involves suffering and sacrifice.
Read together, these passages prompt believers to grapple with important questions: How does recognizing God's sovereignty shape our worship and obedience? What does it mean to follow divine directives carefully and faithfully? And what are we willing to sacrifice in our pursuit of truth and righteousness? Through examining these scriptures, we are invited to a deeper understanding and commitment to our spiritual journey.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 99
Proclaim God’s greatness
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 99
Proclaim God’s greatness
Psalm 99 stands as a magnificent hymn of praise to the reigning King of all—the Holy God of Israel. This psalm paints a vivid picture of God's majestic holiness and the profound reverence that His holiness demands from all of creation. It beckons us to acknowledge and celebrate God's righteousness, justice, and mighty acts throughout history. In the midst of global challenges, shifting cultures, and personal struggles, Psalm 99 provides a stabilizing reminder: God reigns supreme and is unmatched in His holiness. As we delve into this psalm, let's be inspired to both revere and rejoice in the unparalleled majesty of our Holy God.1 The LORD is King;
let the people tremble; *
he is enthroned upon the cherubim;
let the earth shake.
2 The LORD is great in Zion; *
he is high above all peoples.
3 Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; *
he is the Holy One.
4 “O mighty King, lover of justice,
you have established equity; *
you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.”
5 Proclaim the greatness of the LORD our God
and fall down before his footstool; *
he is the Holy One.
6 Moses and Aaron among his priests,
and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, *
they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; *
they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them.
8 “O LORD our God, you answered them indeed; *
you were a God who forgave them,
yet punished them for their evil deeds.”
9 Proclaim the greatness of the LORD our God
and worship him upon his holy hill; *
for the LORD our God is the Holy One.
Heavenly Father, the One who sits enthroned between the cherubim, we come before You in reverence and awe. Your name is great and awesome; you are the Holy One.
Lord, You have established Your reign over all the earth, and Your justice and righteousness are the foundations of Your throne. We praise You for Your sovereign rule, a rule that is just and fair, established in love and executed in wisdom.
We thank You for Your faithfulness throughout generations. You answered Moses, Aaron, and Samuel when they called upon You; You were to them a forgiving God, yet a God who took vengeance for their wrongdoings. In the same way, Lord, we are grateful that You hear our prayers and answer us according to Your mercy.
May we never forget that You are God, and You alone. May our lives be offerings of worship to You, as we bow before Your holy mountain. Make our hearts instruments of Your praise, and let our actions reflect Your righteousness.
Teach us to revere Your statutes and to delight in Your commands. As we tremble before Your might and majesty, may we also find comfort and grace in Your presence. Help us to emulate Your justice and love in our dealings with one another, serving as witnesses to Your glorious reign.
May Your holiness be reflected in our lives, as we live each day in gratitude and reverence, acknowledging Your sovereignty over all things.
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 Book of Exodus is one of the five books of the Torah and narrates the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. It contains laws, history, and narratives that are central to Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. Exodus 39:32-43 stands as a pivotal passage in the text, marking the completion of the Tabernacle, a sacred sanctuary where God would dwell among the Israelites.32 So all the work on the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses. 33 Then they brought the tabernacle to Moses: the tent and all its furnishings, its clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; 34 the covering of ram skins dyed red and the covering of another durable leather and the shielding curtain; 35 the ark of the covenant law with its poles and the atonement cover; 36 the table with all its articles and the bread of the Presence; 37 the pure gold lampstand with its row of lamps and all its accessories, and the olive oil for the light; 38 the gold altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the entrance to the tent; 39 the bronze altar with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the basin with its stand; 40 the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard; the ropes and tent pegs for the courtyard; all the furnishings for the tabernacle, the tent of meeting; 41 and the woven garments worn for ministering in the sanctuary, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when serving as priests.
This section functions as a culmination of several preceding chapters that detailed the intricate instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its various components. This passage underscores the fulfillment of God’s commandments through the obedience and skill of the Israelites, led by master craftsmen like Bezalel and Oholiab. The meticulous inventory of the work reaffirms its accordance with divine instructions, and Moses’ blessing serves as divine affirmation.
42 The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 43 Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.
Commentary
Exodus 39:32-43 serves multiple purposes in the larger narrative. One of its primary functions is to signal the successful completion of a divinely-ordained task. The narrative emphasizes that "all the work" was completed "just as the Lord commanded Moses." This repetition serves to underscore the importance of obedience to God's laws and instructions. By following God’s directives meticulously, the Israelites fulfill their part in a divine-human partnership, demonstrating their devotion and reverence.
The passage also highlights the role of community in accomplishing divine mandates. The task is too significant to be completed by a single individual; it requires the collective skill sets of the entire community. The people bring their talents and resources together, embodying a collaborative spirit. This is an important model for how a faith community can work together to realize divine objectives.
The enumeration of the Tabernacle's components serves a ritualistic function. Lists and inventories have a long-standing tradition in religious and historical texts, serving to validate and legitimize the described events or items. Here, the detailed inventory adds an extra layer of significance to the project, reinforcing its sanctity and importance.
Finally, Moses' inspection and blessing serve as the divine imprimatur, a final validation that the work was completed to divine specifications. His blessing sanctifies the work, making the Tabernacle a fit dwelling place for the divine. This final act concludes the section and prepares the narrative for the next phase, where the divine presence fills the Tabernacle, culminating the efforts of human hands with divine acceptance.
In summary, Exodus 39:32-43 functions as a narrative hinge, concluding the construction of the Tabernacle and pointing forward to its divine activation. It emphasizes themes of obedience, community collaboration, divine-human partnership, and sanctification, enriching the reader’s understanding of what it means to engage in holy work.
Matthew 14:1-12 is a passage that provides an account of the arrest and execution of John the Baptist. This episode takes place within the broader narrative of Jesus' public ministry and serves as a grim backdrop to the increasing tensions between the Kingdom of God as proclaimed by Jesus and the existing religious and political powers of the day. The passage tells the story from the perspective of Herod Antipas, a tetrarch who rules over Galilee and Perea. It's a section that vividly presents the conflict of moral, spiritual, and political loyalties. This particular account not only encapsulates the risks inherent in standing against social and political corruption but also serves as a precursor to the opposition that Jesus himself would face.14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.
6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
Commentary
Matthew 14:1-2:
Herod hears of Jesus and his miracles and believes that John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. This indicates both Herod's guilt and his superstitious beliefs. Herod is aware that he has done wrong by arresting and killing John, and the miracles performed by Jesus make him believe that John might have been resurrected.
Matthew 14:3-5:
The passage explains that John was imprisoned for rebuking Herod Antipas for taking his brother's wife, Herodias. John had a fearless commitment to proclaiming the ethical demands of the Kingdom of God, even when it put him in direct conflict with powerful political figures. Herod wanted to kill John but refrained due to fear of the people, who considered John a prophet. This sets the stage for the conflict between divine law and human authority.
Matthew 14:6-7:
Herodias seizes her opportunity during Herod's birthday celebrations. Herod, pleased by her daughter's dancing, offers her anything she desires. This is a crucial moment, and Herod's foolish oath becomes a trap he sets for himself.
Matthew 14:8-9:
Influenced by her mother, Herodias, the girl asks for John the Baptist’s head on a platter. Herod is distressed by the request but feels compelled to comply because of his oath and the presence of his guests, highlighting the conflict between his own moral understanding and the social pressures he faced.
Matthew 14:10-11:
John the Baptist is executed, and his head is presented as requested. This action signifies not just the tragic end of a righteous man but also the extreme measures those in power may take to silence voices that challenge them.
Matthew 14:12:
John’s disciples come and take the body and bury it. Then they go and tell Jesus. This sets the stage for Jesus' continued ministry and foreshadows the increasing risks he will face from the political and religious authorities.
Matthew 14:1-12 serves as a stark reminder of the costs associated with discipleship and prophetic ministry. It illuminates the lengths to which people in power will go to suppress the truth and the voice of righteousness. The passage also anticipates the suffering and death that Jesus himself would face, thereby inviting us to reflect on the cost of faithful discipleship in the face of worldly powers.
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 Saturday, October 21, 2023
Sovereignty, Obedience, and the Cost of Discipleship
Psalm 99; Exodus 39:32-43; Matthew 14:1-12
Today's lectionary readings offer a compelling tapestry of themes that are central to the faith journey. These texts collectively highlight the profound elements of God's sovereignty, human obedience to divine directives, and the steep price that often accompanies the call to discipleship. Read together, these passages prompt believers to grapple with important questions: How does recognizing God's sovereignty shape our worship and obedience? What does it mean to follow divine directives carefully and faithfully? And what are we willing to sacrifice in our pursuit of truth and righteousness? Through examining these scriptures, we are invited to a deeper understanding and commitment to our spiritual journey.
