The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Monday, November 6, 2023
Blessings of Faithfulness: From Heritage to Legacy
Psalm 128; Joshua 4:1-24; 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
Monday, November 6, 2023
Blessings of Faithfulness: From Heritage to Legacy
Psalm 128; Joshua 4:1-24; 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
The tapestry of Scripture often interweaves tales of divine faithfulness with human commitment, reminding us of the transformative power that emerges when we walk in harmony with God's will. Psalm 128, Joshua 4:1-24, and 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 present distinct facets of this profound relationship.
Psalm 128 paints a serene portrait of the rewards that come to those who fear the Lord, emphasizing the blessings that touch every aspect of life, from personal contentment to family unity. Joshua 4 recounts the monumental event of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River, a testament to God's unwavering fidelity to His promises. This passage is also a call for the importance of memory, ensuring that future generations recall God's mighty acts. Lastly, in 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20, Paul expresses gratitude for the Thessalonians' reception of God's word and lauds their perseverance amidst persecution, emphasizing the joy that arises from witnessing the spiritual growth of others.
Together, these passages invite us to reflect upon the manifold blessings that accompany a life of faithfulness. They challenge us to recognize God's steadfast love, honor the legacy of those who've walked before us, and pave the way for those yet to come. As we delve into these Scriptures, may we be inspired to live lives that resonate with gratitude, commitment, and the transformative power of divine love.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 128
It shall be well with you
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 128
It shall be well with you
Psalm 128 serves as a reflection on the profound blessings that come from following the Lord's ways. It beautifully intertwines the themes of reverence for God with the tangible rewards of leading a righteous life. Rooted in the imagery of family and agriculture, it portrays a vivid image of prosperity and contentment, which transcends material wealth, and delves into the spiritual and emotional abundance that comes from being in harmony with God. As we read and meditate upon this Psalm, may we be reminded of the eternal blessings that stem from a life anchored in faith and righteousness.1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, *
who walk in obedience to him.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; *
blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house; *
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessing *
for the man who fears the Lord.
5 May the Lord bless you from Zion; *
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
6 May you live to see your children’s children— *
peace be on Israel.
Gracious Heavenly Father, as we immerse ourselves in the words of Psalm 128, we are filled with gratitude for the promises and blessings You bestow upon those who walk in Your ways. We thank You for the reminders of Your faithfulness, and for the countless ways in which You nourish and sustain us, both physically and spiritually.
Lord, let the imagery of a flourishing vine and olive shoots remind us always of the abundant life You offer. May we be ever mindful of the role we play as stewards of Your gifts, and as members of a broader community and family, bound by Your love.
Guide us, O Lord, that we may fear You in reverence, walk in Your paths with integrity, and partake in the joyous rewards of a life centered in You. Grant that our homes may be places of love, peace, and prosperity, and that our communities reflect the beauty of Your kingdom on Earth.
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 Joshua tells the story of Israel's conquest and settlement in the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua, Moses' successor. The fourth chapter specifically recounts the memorializing of Israel's miraculous crossing of the Jordan River. As the Israelites transition from wandering in the wilderness to entering the land God had promised to them, they confront not only physical barriers, like the Jordan River at flood stage, but also spiritual and cultural challenges. Joshua 4 serves as a significant marker of God's faithfulness and a reminder to subsequent generations of His mighty deeds.4 When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, 2 “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, 3 and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.”
4 So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, 5 and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, 6 to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”
8 So the Israelites did as Joshua commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the Lord had told Joshua; and they carried them over with them to their camp, where they put them down. 9 Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day.
10 Now the priests who carried the ark remained standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything the Lord had commanded Joshua was done by the people, just as Moses had directed Joshua. The people hurried over, 11 and as soon as all of them had crossed, the ark of the Lord and the priests came to the other side while the people watched. 12 The men of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over, ready for battle, in front of the Israelites, as Moses had directed them. 13 About forty thousand armed for battle crossed over before the Lord to the plains of Jericho for war.
14 That day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they stood in awe of him all the days of his life, just as they had stood in awe of Moses.
15 Then the Lord said to Joshua, 16 “Command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant law to come up out of the Jordan.”
17 So Joshua commanded the priests, “Come up out of the Jordan.”
18 And the priests came up out of the river carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord. No sooner had they set their feet on the dry ground than the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and ran at flood stage as before.
19 On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. 20 And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. 21 He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. 24 He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”
Commentary
In these verses, the Israelites have just witnessed a powerful act of God: the halting of the Jordan River's flow, enabling them to cross on dry ground, similar to the parting of the Red Sea. Recognizing the importance of remembering this divine intervention, the Lord commands Joshua to set up a memorial.
Verses 1-3: God directs Joshua to select twelve men, one from each tribe, to each take a stone from the center of the Jordan, from where the priests stood with the Ark of the Covenant. These stones would later serve as a tangible reminder of their miraculous crossing.
Verses 4-7: Joshua obediently follows God's command, emphasizing the significance of these stones. They are to be a sign for future generations, prompting them to ask about their meaning and thus learn of God's power and faithfulness.
Verses 8-9: In addition to the twelve stones taken to the camp, Joshua sets up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan where the priests stood with the Ark, highlighting the exact location of the miracle.
Verses 10-13: The narrative emphasizes the role of the Ark and the priests, drawing attention to their centrality in the Israelites' relationship with God. We also see the sizeable military force of the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh leading the way, fulfilling their pledge to help the rest of Israel conquer the Promised Land even though they'd already received their inheritance east of the Jordan.
Verses 14-18: These verses note the completion of the crossing, underscoring Joshua's growing leadership stature. As soon as the Ark and the priests leave the riverbed, the waters of the Jordan return to their place, further emphasizing the miraculous nature of the event.
Verses 19-20: The twelve stones are set up in Gilgal, their first camping place in the Promised Land. Gilgal would hold significant importance in Israel's history as a place of remembrance and renewal.
Verses 21-24: Joshua outlines the purpose of the stone memorial. Future generations would inquire about the stones, offering an opportunity to recount God's might and the importance of fearing the Lord. These verses encapsulate the core theme of the chapter: remembering God's faithfulness and passing down the story of His wondrous acts to future generations.
In essence, Joshua 4 serves as a testament to the importance of memory in faith. It underscores the value of rituals and symbols in preserving the history of God's relationship with His people, ensuring that future generations recognize and celebrate His continued faithfulness.
In his first letter to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul seeks to encourage and instruct the young Christian community in Thessalonica. This letter is one of Paul's earliest writings, giving insight into the challenges and joys the early Christian communities faced. In this particular passage, 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20, Paul expresses gratitude for the Thessalonians' acceptance of the Word of God and details the challenges he and his companions faced in their ministry.2 13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.
17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
Commentary
Verse 13: Paul praises the Thessalonians for accepting the Word of God with reverence and authenticity. Their faith is evident by the transformative power of God's Word at work within them.
Verse 14: The Thessalonians are recognized for their steadfastness and courage. Despite facing persecution, they mirrored the resilience of the Judean churches, showing unity in Christ across geographical and cultural boundaries.
Verses 15-16: Paul reflects on the adversarial role of certain Jewish communities, highlighting their responsibility in the death of Jesus and the prophets. Their opposition to the spread of the Gospel among the Gentiles intensifies their transgressions, culminating in God's judgment.
Verse 17: The apostle conveys his deep affection for the Thessalonians, emphasizing that the physical separation from them felt like being orphaned, revealing the profound bond forged between Paul and the community.
Verse 18: Paul speaks of his repeated attempts to visit Thessalonica but suggests that spiritual warfare (represented by "Satan") hindered his plans. This underscores the cosmic dimension of the Christian mission.
Verses 19-20: Paul beautifully illustrates the value he places on the Thessalonians, seeing them as his hope, joy, and crown. They are a testament to his ministry and will be his pride when they all stand before Christ.
In this passage, Paul's love for the Thessalonian community is palpable. He commends their faith, expresses his longing to be with them, and recognizes the mutual joy they bring to one another. This portion of the letter serves as a reminder of the unity, trials, and eternal hope Christians share in the body of Christ.
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. Commentaries are by 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, November 6, 2023
Blessings of Faithfulness: From Heritage to Legacy
Psalm 128; Joshua 4:1-24; 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
The tapestry of Scripture often interweaves tales of divine faithfulness with human commitment, reminding us of the transformative power that emerges when we walk in harmony with God's will. Today's passages present distinct facets of this profound relationship. Together, they invite us to reflect upon the manifold blessings that accompany a life of faithfulness. They challenge us to recognize God's steadfast love, honor the legacy of those who've walked before us, and pave the way for those yet to come. As we delve into these Scriptures, may we be inspired to live lives that resonate with gratitude, commitment, and the transformative power of divine love.
