The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Saturday, December 30, 2023
The Harmony of Wisdom, Patience, and Praise
Psalm 148; Proverbs 9:1-12; 2 Peter 3:8-13
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Days around Christmas)
Introduction
with Commentary
Saturday, December 30, 2023
The Harmony of Wisdom, Patience, and Praise
Psalm 148; Proverbs 9:1-12; 2 Peter 3:8-13
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Days around Christmas)
Introduction
Psalm 148, Proverbs 9:1-12, and 2 Peter 3:8-13 collectively weave a tapestry of wisdom, patience, and praise, each addressing a unique aspect of spiritual understanding and living. Psalm 148 is a vivid call to all creation, from the heavens to the earthly creatures, to praise the Lord for His majesty and eternal sovereignty. In Proverbs 9:1-12, wisdom is personified as a gracious host, inviting those who seek understanding to partake of her nourishing feast, emphasizing the intrinsic value and rewards of wisdom. Lastly, 2 Peter 3:8-13 serves as a reminder of the Lord's patience regarding His promise, encouraging believers to live holy and godly lives while awaiting the new heaven and new earth. Together, these passages offer a harmonious blend of reverence, insight, and hope, guiding believers towards a more profound spiritual journey.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 148
Universal Praise: A Symphony of Creation
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 148
Universal Praise: A Symphony of Creation
Psalm 148 stands as a majestic call to universal praise. This Psalm is a vibrant tapestry of worship, weaving together voices from the heavens and the earth. It summons every element of creation—from celestial beings to the smallest creatures, and even the elements themselves—to join in a grand chorus of adoration to the Lord. The Psalm vividly illustrates the interconnectedness of all things under the sovereign reign of God, inviting us to ponder our place in this cosmic hymn of praise.1 Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord from the heavens; *
Praise him in the heights above.
2 Praise him, all his angels; *
Praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3 Praise him, sun and moon; *
Praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens *
And you waters above the skies.
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, *
For at his command they were created,
6 And he established them for ever and ever— *
He issued a decree that will never pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, *
You great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
8 Lightning and hail, snow and clouds, *
Stormy winds that do his bidding,
9 You mountains and all hills, *
Fruit trees and all cedars,
10 Wild animals and all cattle, *
Small creatures and flying birds,
11 Kings of the earth and all nations, *
You princes and all rulers on earth,
12 Young men and women, *
Old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted; *
His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
14 And he has raised up for his people a horn,
the praise of all his faithful servants,
of Israel, the people close to his heart. *
Praise the Lord.
Heavenly Father, we join with the heavens and the earth, the sun, moon, and stars, the creatures of the sea and the birds of the air, in a chorus of praise to Your glorious name. For You alone are worthy of honor and adoration.
Your creation, vast and wondrous, speaks of Your majesty and power. The mountains stand tall and the oceans roar, each declaring Your greatness. As Your children, we stand in awe of Your works, humbled by the beauty and complexity of what You have made.
Lord, let every part of Your creation, from the smallest insect to the greatest galaxy, be a testament to Your creativity and love. May our lives, our words, and our actions reflect our reverence and thankfulness to You, our Creator and Sustainer.
We acknowledge Your sovereignty over all the earth. May Your name be praised from the heights of the heavens to the depths of the seas, and in every heart and every home.
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.”
Proverbs 9:1-12 presents a vivid allegory of wisdom as a welcoming hostess. This section portrays Wisdom as a personified figure who has built her house, prepared a feast, and now extends an open invitation to the simple and those lacking understanding to partake of her offerings. The passage contrasts the allure of wisdom with the seductive appeal of folly, highlighting the life-giving benefits of embracing wisdom.9 1 Wisdom has built her house;
she has set up its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls
from the highest point of the city,
4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
5 “Come, eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;
walk in the way of insight.”
7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.
9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For through wisdom your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
Commentary
Verses 1-6 — Wisdom's Preparation and Invitation: Wisdom, personified as a capable woman, has built her house, hewn out its seven pillars, prepared a banquet, and mixed her wines. She sends out her maidservants to call from the highest points of the city. The invitation is extended to those described as simple and those who lack judgment, urging them to leave their simple ways to walk in the path of insight. This symbolizes the accessible nature of wisdom to all, regardless of their starting point in understanding.
Verses 7-9 — The Reception of Wisdom's Teaching: These verses warn about the reception one receives when correcting a mocker or a wicked person, as opposed to the reception from the wise. The former leads to insult and abuse, while the latter results in love and further wisdom. This contrast serves as a practical guide for discerning when and how to offer correction or wisdom, emphasizing the value of a receptive, teachable spirit.
Verses 10-12 — The Foundation and Reward of Wisdom: Verse 10 famously states that The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. This verse sets the foundation for all wisdom as a reverent relationship with God. The passage concludes by emphasizing the personal benefit of wisdom: living wisely increases one’s own days and years, whereas folly leads to harm.
In summary, Proverbs 9:1-12 vividly illustrates wisdom as a nurturing, generous host who invites all to learn and grow. It encourages an attitude of humility and teachability, highlights the importance of discerning when to impart wisdom, and underscores the intrinsic connection between wisdom and a reverential relationship with God.
2 Peter 3:8-13 provides profound insights into the Christian understanding of time, the return of Christ, and the promise of a new heaven and a new earth. These verses challenge believers to reevaluate their perception of time in light of God's eternal nature and to live in anticipation of the Lord's return. The passage serves as a reminder of God's patience, offering salvation to all, and the ultimate transformation of the world as we know it.3 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
Commentary
Verse 8 — God's Perspective of Time: This verse emphasizes that God's perception of time is vastly different from ours. A day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day to God. This comparison invites us to adopt an eternal perspective, understanding that God's plans unfold in a divine timeline, beyond human comprehension.
Verses 9-10 — The Lord's Patience and Return: Here, the apostle Peter addresses why the Second Coming of Christ seems delayed. It's a reflection of God's patience, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. The day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, bringing both judgement and renewal. This calls believers to live righteously, aware of the suddenness of Christ's return.
Verse 11 — Living in Holiness and Godliness: Given the impending dissolution of the current world and the promise of a new creation, believers are encouraged to live lives of holiness and godliness. This means living in a manner that honors God, being mindful of our actions, words, and thoughts in anticipation of the Lord's return.
Verses 12-13 — Looking Forward to the New Heaven and Earth: These verses paint a picture of the ultimate hope for Christians—the coming of a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells. Believers are urged to live in expectation of this reality, fostering a mindset that prioritizes eternal values over temporal concerns.
In summary, 2 Peter 3:8-13 calls Christians to embrace an eternal perspective, understanding the difference in divine and human perceptions of time, living righteously in anticipation of Christ's return, and looking forward to the promise of a new, righteous world. This passage serves as a reminder of God's patience and the transformative power of His promise for the future.
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 B. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2024, we will be in Year C. The year which ended at Advent 2023 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, December 30, 2023
The Harmony of Wisdom, Patience, and Praise
Psalm 148; Proverbs 9:1-12; 2 Peter 3:8-13
Today's readings collectively weave a tapestry of wisdom, patience, and praise, each addressing a unique aspect of spiritual understanding and living. Psalm 148 is a vivid call to all creation, from the heavens to the earthly creatures, to praise the Lord for His majesty and eternal sovereignty. In our reading in Proverbs, wisdom is personified as a gracious host, inviting those who seek understanding to partake of her nourishing feast, emphasizing the intrinsic value and rewards of wisdom. Lastly, our reading in 2nd Peter serves as a reminder of the Lord's patience regarding His promise, encouraging believers to live holy and godly lives while awaiting the new heaven and new earth. Together, these passages offer a harmonious blend of reverence, insight, and hope, guiding believers towards a more profound spiritual journey.
