The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Monday, November 27, 2023
Seeking Divine Guidance
Monday, November 27, 2023
Seeking Divine Guidance
and Remaining Faithful in Service
Psalm 28; Numbers 27:15-23; 2 Timothy 2:8-13
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
Psalm 28; Numbers 27:15-23; 2 Timothy 2:8-13
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
In Psalm 28, Numbers 27:15-23, and 2 Timothy 2:8-13, we find a common thread that binds these seemingly disparate passages together: the need for divine guidance and the call to remain faithful in our service to God. As we delve into these scriptures, we will explore how seeking God's direction, trusting in His promises, and remaining steadfast in our commitment to Him, are vital aspects of our spiritual journey. Through the examples of David, Moses, and Timothy, we see the importance of aligning our will with God's and drawing strength from His faithfulness to fulfill our divine calling.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 28
Shepherd your people forever
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 28
Shepherd your people forever
Psalm 100 is one of the most cherished and recognized psalms in the entire Psalter. Often referred to as a "Psalm of Praise," it invites all of the Earth to come before the Lord with joy and thanksgiving. With its short span of only five verses, it is concise, yet its message resonates deeply with profound simplicity. Echoing the thematic essence of worship, the psalm serves as a universal call for all peoples to recognize the sovereignty of God, and to approach Him with a heart full of gladness.1 To you, Lord, I call;
you are my Rock,
do not turn a deaf ear to me. *
For if you remain silent,
I will be like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear my cry for mercy
as I call to you for help, *
As I lift up my hands
toward your Most Holy Place.
3 Do not drag me away with the wicked,
with those who do evil, *
Who speak cordially with their neighbors
but harbor malice in their hearts.
4 Repay them for their deeds
and for their evil work; *
Repay them for what their hands have done
and bring back on them what they deserve.
5 Because they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord
and what his hands have done, *
He will tear them down
and never build them up again.
6 Praise be to the Lord, *
For he has heard my cry for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. *
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.
8 The Lord is the strength of his people, *
A fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
9 Save your people and bless your inheritance; *
Be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you today with humble hearts, seeking your strength and guidance. As we reflect on Psalm 28, we are reminded of your unfailing love and faithfulness.
Lord, we cry out to you, our Rock and our Refuge. Do not be silent to us, but hear our pleas for mercy. We lift our hands in prayer and ask for your help and protection. Keep us from following the ways of the wicked, and guide us on the path of righteousness.
We give thanks for your goodness and praise you for your salvation. You are our strength and our shield, and our hearts trust in you. We are filled with joy and we sing your praises with grateful hearts.
Help us to walk in your ways and to live lives that honor and glorify you. May we be a light to those around us, showing your love and grace to all we meet.
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.”
Numbers 27:15-23 is a significant passage within the Pentateuch that provides insights into leadership, succession, and God's guidance in appointing leaders. Located in the heart of the Book of Numbers, this narrative marks a pivotal moment in Israel’s wilderness journey, as Moses, the trusted leader and servant of God, seeks to ensure that the people will not be like "sheep without a shepherd" after his impending departure. The narrative underscores the importance of seeking God's will in choosing a leader and the laying on of hands as a symbolic gesture of passing on authority and blessing.27 15 Moses said to the Lord, 16 “May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community 17 to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
18 So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him. 19 Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. 20 Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him. 21 He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the Lord. At his command he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in.”
22 Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly. 23 Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the Lord instructed through Moses.
Commentary
Verse 15: Moses’ address to God signifies his deep concern for the Israelites' future leadership. His commitment to the people's well-being is evident, even as he faces the reality of his own mortality and inability to lead them into the Promised Land.
Verse 16: The plea to God is profound in acknowledging Him as the giver of life (breath to all living things). Moses does not specify who the next leader should be but rather trusts in God's discernment to choose the right individual.
Verse 17: The shepherd metaphor beautifully portrays the role of a leader—guiding, protecting, and caring for the people. Moses' main concern is that the people will be lost or vulnerable without proper guidance.
Verses 18-19: God's response indicates His direct involvement in the affairs of His people. He selects Joshua, a man already distinguished for his leadership qualities and fidelity to God. The instruction for Moses to lay your hand on him in front of the priest and assembly signifies the formal transfer of leadership and is a visible affirmation of God’s choice.
Verse 20: By imparting some of Moses' authority to Joshua, it ensures a smoother transition of leadership, and it's also a way of letting the Israelites know that Joshua will be their new point of reference after Moses.
Verse 21: The mention of Eleazar the priest and the Urim (part of the priestly garments used to discern God's will) emphasizes that Joshua's leadership will be in alignment with God's will, guided by His decisions.
Verses 22-23: Moses' obedience to God's command and the public commissioning of Joshua establishes Joshua's role as the future leader, providing continuity to the divine mission of leading the Israelites to their destined homeland.
In essence, Numbers 27:15-23 teaches us the importance of seeking God's guidance in leadership transitions, emphasizing the necessity of a divinely chosen leader for the community's spiritual and practical well-being. The narrative underscores the collaboration between the prophetic (Moses) and the priestly (Eleazar) roles in the Israelite community.
In these verses from 2 Timothy 2, the apostle Paul, writing to his young protégé Timothy, draws upon his own experiences and the teachings of Jesus to encourage perseverance and faithfulness in the face of trials and tribulations. This passage is rich with theological insights and practical advice for believers seeking to live out their faith in a challenging world.2 8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
11 Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
12 if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
13 if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
Commentary
Verse 8 is a reminder to focus on the foundational truths of the Christian faith, namely the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His Davidic lineage, which fulfills the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament.
Verse 9 highlights the reality that while Paul himself may be in chains for the gospel, the message of Christ cannot be bound or restrained. This is an encouragement to Timothy and to all believers that the word of God is not limited by human circumstances or opposition.
In verse 10, Paul explains that he endures suffering for the sake of the elect, those chosen by God to receive salvation. This reflects Paul’s deep commitment to the gospel and his desire for others to experience the eternal glory that comes with faith in Christ.
Verses 11-13 contain a profound and poetic statement of the Christian’s relationship with Christ. If we have died with Him in faith, we will also live with Him in eternity. If we endure hardships and remain faithful, we will reign with Him in glory. However, if we deny Christ, He will also deny us. Lastly, even if we are faithless, Christ remains faithful because His character and promises are unchanging.
In summary, these verses from 2 Timothy 2 are a powerful exhortation to remember the core truths of the Christian faith, to remain steadfast in the face of opposition, and to trust in the faithfulness of Christ, who is our source of strength and hope.
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 27, 2023
Seeking Divine Guidance and Remaining Faithful in Service
Psalm 28; Numbers 27:15-23; 2 Timothy 2:8-13
In today's readings, we find a common thread that binds these seemingly disparate passages together: the need for divine guidance and the call to remain faithful in our service to God. As we delve into these scriptures, we will explore how seeking God's direction, trusting in His promises, and remaining steadfast in our commitment to Him, are vital aspects of our spiritual journey. Through the examples of David, Moses, and Timothy, we see the importance of aligning our will with God's and drawing strength from His faithfulness to fulfill our divine calling.
