The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Friday, October 27, 2023
The Eternal God and the Grace of Salvation
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17; Deuteronomy 32:1-14, 18;
Friday, October 27, 2023
The Eternal God and the Grace of Salvation
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17; Deuteronomy 32:1-14, 18;
Titus 2:7-8, 11-15
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
The tapestry of Scripture weaves together messages of God’s eternal nature, His nurturing care, and the transformative power of grace. Psalm 90, penned by Moses, paints a portrait of God as our everlasting dwelling place, contrasting the transient nature of human life with the timelessness of God. The very mountains rise and fall within the span of His eternal gaze. Meanwhile, Deuteronomy 32 serves as Moses' song of praise and warning, reflecting on how God cared for Israel, likening His protection and nurturing to that of an eagle caring for its young. Yet, in the same breath, Moses warns Israel not to forget the Rock that birthed them. Transitioning to the New Testament, Paul’s letter to Titus encapsulates the transformative power of God’s grace. This grace, which offers salvation, instructs us to live righteous lives, turning away from worldly passions. Paul urges Titus to be a model of good works, exemplifying the very essence of this grace. Together, these passages emphasize God’s unchanging nature, the fragility and transience of human existence, and the renewing force of God’s grace, which beckons us to live in reflection of His eternal love and mercy.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17
Show your servants your works
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17
Show your servants your works
Psalm 90 stands as a testament to God's eternity in contrast to human frailty. Attributed to Moses, it is a meditation on the transience of human life against the backdrop of the eternal nature of God. This selection of verses juxtaposes the temporal nature of humanity with the enduring nature of the Creator, emphasizing the fleeting moments of our lives compared to God's infinite timeline. It calls upon the Lord to have mercy, to extend His steadfast love, and to establish the work of human hands. As you read and reflect on these verses, consider the transient nature of your own life and the everlasting nature of God's love and presence.1 Lord, you have been our refuge *
from one generation to another.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
or the land and the earth were born, *
from age to age you are God.
3 You turn us back to the dust and say, *
“Go back, O child of earth.”
4 For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday
when it is past *
and like a watch in the night.
5 You sweep us away like a dream; *
we fade away suddenly like the grass.
6 In the morning it is green and flourishes; *
in the evening it is dried up and withered.
13 Return, O LORD; how long will you tarry? *
be gracious to your servants.
14 Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning; *
so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.
15 Make us glad by the measure of the days that you afflicted us *
and the years in which we suffered adversity.
16 Show your servants your works *
and your splendor to their children.
17 May the graciousness of the LORD our God be upon us; *
prosper the work of our hands;
prosper our handiwork.
Eternal Creator and Shelter, from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
You have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, You remain constant. Like a shepherd's tent, You envelop us in Your care, and within Your embrace, we find refuge.
In Your eyes, a thousand years are but a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. Yet, in our human frailty, we are but a breath, fleeting and transient, like grass that flourishes in the morning and withers by evening.
Return, O Lord, and show us Your compassion. How long must we wait for Your favor? Let us see Your steadfast love when morning dawns, and may Your glory rest upon us. Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery, and may the days of our joy equal the days of our affliction.
May the work of our hands be established and blessed by You. Grant us success in our endeavors, and let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us.
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.”
Deuteronomy 32, often referred to as the "Song of Moses," stands as one of the pivotal chapters in the Deuteronomistic text. It functions as a poetic summary of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, elucidating God's faithfulness and the potential pitfalls of Israel's forgetfulness. This song paints a vivid image of the history, promises, and warnings associated with Israel's covenantal relationship with their God. The selected verses (1-14, 18) primarily emphasize the care and provision of God for His people and the dangers of forgetting Him.32 Listen, you heavens, and I will speak;
hear, you earth, the words of my mouth.
2 Let my teaching fall like rain
and my words descend like dew,
like showers on new grass,
like abundant rain on tender plants.
3 I will proclaim the name of the Lord.
Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
4 He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
upright and just is he.
5 They are corrupt and not his children;
to their shame they are a warped and crooked generation.
6 Is this the way you repay the Lord,
you foolish and unwise people?
Is he not your Father, your Creator,
who made you and formed you?
7 Remember the days of old;
consider the generations long past.
Ask your father and he will tell you,
your elders, and they will explain to you.
8 When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance,
when he divided all mankind,
he set up boundaries for the peoples
according to the number of the sons of Israel.
9 For the Lord’s portion is his people,
Jacob his allotted inheritance.
10 In a desert land he found him,
in a barren and howling waste.
He shielded him and cared for him;
he guarded him as the apple of his eye,
11 like an eagle that stirs up its nest
and hovers over its young,
that spreads its wings to catch them
and carries them aloft.
12 The Lord alone led him;
no foreign god was with him.
13 He made him ride on the heights of the land
and fed him with the fruit of the fields.
He nourished him with honey from the rock,
and with oil from the flinty crag,
14 with curds and milk from herd and flock
and with fattened lambs and goats,
with choice rams of Bashan
and the finest kernels of wheat.
You drank the foaming blood of the grape.
18 You deserted the Rock, who fathered you;
you forgot the God who gave you birth.
Commentary
In this poetic rendition:
- Verses 1-3: Moses appeals to the heavens and earth as witnesses. The importance of the message is emphasized by invoking the entirety of creation. His words are compared to rain and dew, which give life to the earth, just as his teachings should bring spiritual sustenance to the people.
- Verses 4-5: God is described as "the Rock", a symbol of strength, stability, and reliability. The perfection of God's ways is contrasted with the imperfection of the Israelites who have corrupted themselves.
- Verses 6-8: The text underscores the ingratitude of Israel. It points to their forgetfulness of God's past actions and the establishment of their identity as His chosen people.
- Verses 9-11: These verses depict God's protective care for Israel, drawing on the imagery of an eagle nurturing and guiding its young. It accentuates God's active role in the nation's formative experiences.
- Verses 12-14: Israel's success and prosperity in the Promised Land is attributed solely to God's provisions and guidance. The land's bounty, described in rich and vivid detail, serves as a testament to God's generosity.
- Verse 18: The section concludes with a poignant critique of Israel's forgetfulness. After all of God's care and provision, Israel has abandoned and forgotten Him, the very source of their existence and well-being.
Titus 2:7-8, 11-15, penned by the Apostle Paul, provides timeless guidance for Christians on living with integrity and devotion. Written to Titus, a close companion, and fellow worker, Paul outlines the characteristics of a life rooted in godliness and righteous living. These verses are situated within a larger context where Paul is addressing various groups within the church, offering instructions on how to live in a manner that is pleasing to God and is a reflection of the transformative power of the Gospel.7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
Commentary
In verses 7-8, Paul encourages Titus to be a model of good deeds, integrity, and sound speech. By embodying these virtues, Titus can effectively lead the church, silencing critics through his upright living. Paul's emphasis here is on the transformative impact of a believer’s conduct, not only for personal growth but also as a testimony to others, particularly to those who oppose the message of Christ.
Verses 11-15 celebrate the grace of God, which brings salvation to all. Paul highlights the transformative power of this grace, teaching believers to reject ungodliness and worldly desires, and to lead disciplined, righteous, and godly lives. This transformation is not a passive experience but requires active participation and commitment to living according to God’s will.
Paul’s words also focus on the eschatological hope, the “blessed hope” of the return of Jesus Christ. The anticipation of Christ’s return serves as a motivator for godly living, reminding believers of the ultimate purpose and goal of their faith. Christ’s self-sacrifice is depicted as a redemptive act, purifying believers from wickedness and establishing a people eager to do good, signifying a special relationship between Christ and His followers.
In the concluding verse (15), Paul instructs Titus to teach these principles with authority, underscoring the importance of this message. Titus is to be confident in his teaching, undeterred by those who may despise him, as the message he carries is of divine origin and crucial for the spiritual growth of the believers.
In summary, Titus 2:7-8, 11-15 emphasizes the significance of living a life that reflects the transformative grace of God, fostering integrity, and looking forward with hope to the return of Jesus Christ. This passage invites reflection on the personal implications of God’s grace and encourages believers to embrace a life marked by righteousness, eager to do what is good.
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 27, 2023
The Eternal God and the Grace of Salvation
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17; Deuteronomy 32:1-14, 18; Titus 2:7-8, 11-15
The tapestry of Scripture weaves together messages of God’s eternal nature, His nurturing care, and the transformative power of grace. Psalm 90, penned by Moses, paints a portrait of God as our everlasting dwelling place, contrasting the transient nature of human life with the timelessness of God. The very mountains rise and fall within the span of His eternal gaze. Meanwhile, Deuteronomy 32 serves as Moses' song of praise and warning, reflecting on how God cared for Israel, likening His protection and nurturing to that of an eagle caring for its young. Yet, in the same breath, Moses warns Israel not to forget the Rock that birthed them. Transitioning to the New Testament, Paul’s letter to Titus encapsulates the transformative power of God’s grace. This grace, which offers salvation, instructs us to live righteous lives, turning away from worldly passions. Paul urges Titus to be a model of good works, exemplifying the very essence of this grace. Together, these passages emphasize God’s unchanging nature, the fragility and transience of human existence, and the renewing force of God’s grace, which beckons us to live in reflection of His eternal love and mercy.
