The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Friday, January 26, 2024

 

The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Friday, January 26, 2024

Faithfulness and Obedience:
Embracing Divine Commands

Psalm 111; Deuteronomy 12:28-32; Revelation 2:12-17
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Ordinary 4)

Introduction

In the scriptures of Psalm 111, Deuteronomy 12:28-32, and Revelation 2:12-17, a profound narrative unfolds, highlighting the essential themes of faithfulness and obedience to God's will. Psalm 111 offers a hymn of praise, extolling the Lord for His works and enduring righteousness. It reminds believers of the importance of seeking wisdom through the fear of the Lord. In Deuteronomy, the focus shifts to the Israelites, who are instructed to carefully observe God's decrees and laws, emphasizing obedience as a pathway to prosperity and righteousness. The message is clear: deviation from these divine commands can lead to dire consequences. Revelation 2 presents a message to the church in Pergamum, warning against the dangers of false teachings and the need for repentance. These scriptures collectively underscore the importance of unwavering faith and the pursuit of spiritual integrity in the face of worldly challenges and temptations.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 111
A Celebration of God's Wondrous Works

Psalm 111 invites us to join in a song of praise, celebrating the incredible works and steadfast character of God. This psalm, a part of the Hebrew Psalter, stands as a beautiful expression of thanksgiving and awe. The psalmist uses rich imagery and poetic language to highlight the majesty and righteousness of God's deeds. It emphasizes the importance of remembering and honoring God's commandments, and it underscores the eternal nature of His precepts. The psalm serves as a reminder of God's unchanging faithfulness and the wisdom found in following His ways.

1    Praise the Lord. *
        I will extol the Lord with all my heart
            in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

2    Great are the works of the Lord; *
        They are pondered by all who delight in them.

3    Glorious and majestic are his deeds, *
        And his righteousness endures forever.

4    He has caused his wonders to be remembered; *
        The Lord is gracious and compassionate.

5    He provides food for those who fear him; *
        He remembers his covenant forever.

6    He has shown his people the power of his works, *
        Giving them the lands of other nations.

7    The works of his hands are faithful and just; *
        All his precepts are trustworthy.

8    They are established for ever and ever, *
        Enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.

9    He provided redemption for his people; *
        He ordained his covenant forever—
            holy and awesome is his name.

10  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; *
        All who follow his precepts have good understanding.
            To him belongs eternal praise.

Heavenly Father, with a heart full of gratitude, I approach Your throne, inspired by the words of Psalm 111. I praise You, Lord, with all my being, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation. Your works are great, O Lord, sought out by all who delight in them.

I am in awe of Your majestic deeds and Your glorious splendor. Your righteousness endures forever, a testament to Your grace and mercy. You have provided redemption for Your people; You have ordained Your covenant forever—holy and awesome is Your name.

Lord, grant me the wisdom to revere You, for it is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow Your precepts have good understanding. Your praise endures forever.

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 12:28-32
Guardians of Righteous Worship

In this passage from Deuteronomy 12:28-32, the central focus is on maintaining the sanctity and purity of worship as commanded by God. The Israelites are on the brink of entering the Promised Land, and Moses imparts God's instructions to ensure that their worship remains untainted by the practices of the nations they are about to displace. This section of scripture underscores the importance of obedience to God's specific commands regarding worship and the dangers of syncretism—the blending of different religious beliefs and practices.

12 28 Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord your God.

29 The Lord your God will cut off before you the nations you are about to invade and dispossess. But when you have driven them out and settled in their land, 30 and after they have been destroyed before you, be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods, saying, “How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same.” 31 You must not worship the Lord your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the Lord hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.

32 See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.

Commentary

Verse 28 (Obedience Brings Blessing): This verse emphasizes the blessings that come with obedience. Moses encourages the Israelites to obey all the statutes and ordinances that they have been taught. The promise of well-being for them and their descendants is contingent upon their adherence to God’s laws.

Verses 29-30 (Warning Against Pagan Practices): As the Israelites prepare to enter Canaan, they are warned against being ensnared by the practices of the nations they will dispossess. The lure of pagan worship practices is presented as a significant threat to their spiritual well-being. Moses cautions them not to inquire about the gods of these nations or adopt their worship methods.

Verse 31 (Prohibition of Abhorrent Practices): This verse is a stern reminder that the Israelites must not worship God in the same manner as the surrounding nations worship their gods. Practices that are detestable to the Lord, including child sacrifice, are explicitly forbidden. This reinforces the idea that the worship of the Lord must remain pure and distinct from pagan rituals.

Verse 32 (Adherence to Divine Commandments): The closing verse of this passage is a call to strict adherence to God’s commandments. The Israelites are instructed not to add or subtract from what God has commanded. This verse highlights the importance of following God's law precisely, without modification or dilution.

In summary, Deuteronomy 12:28-32 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faithful, undiluted worship of God. It stresses the need for the Israelites, and by extension all believers, to be vigilant against the influence of foreign religious practices and to adhere strictly to the commandments given by God. The passage reflects a broader theme in Deuteronomy: the call to choose obedience and life by following God’s law faithfully.

Revelation 2:12-17
The Challenge and Promise to Pergamum

Revelation 2:12-17 addresses the church in Pergamum, a city known for its cultural and religious diversity, including a significant presence of emperor worship and pagan practices. In these verses, the writer, traditionally believed to be the Apostle John, conveys a message from Jesus Christ to the church. This message acknowledges the church's firm faith in a challenging environment but also reproves them for certain doctrinal compromises and moral lapses. The passage is notable for its use of vivid imagery and metaphors, particularly the 'sharp, double-edged sword' representing the penetrating power of Christ's words and judgment.

2 12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

Commentary

Verse 12 (The Context of Pergamum): Situated in a city described as "where Satan has his throne," the church in Pergamum was exposed to intense spiritual and cultural pressures. This metaphorical language underscores the depth of pagan and imperial worship, presenting a stark challenge to Christian witness.

Verse 13 (Commendation Amidst Corruption): Despite living in a spiritually hostile environment, the church is commended for holding fast to their faith, even in the face of persecution. This highlights the resilience and fidelity of the believers.

Verse 14-15 (The Problem of Compromise): However, not all is well. The church is critiqued for tolerating teachings akin to those of Balaam and the Nicolaitans, which likely involved idolatry and sexual immorality. This reflects a tension in the early church—the struggle to maintain doctrinal purity while engaging with a diverse cultural milieu.

Verse 16 (The Call to Repentance): The passage urges the church to repent, implying a need for both individual and collective turning away from these errant practices. The imagery of the 'sword' signifies the seriousness with which Christ views these transgressions.

Verse 17 (Promise of a New Identity and Intimacy with Christ): To those who overcome, there is a promise of hidden manna and a white stone with a new name. These symbols represent spiritual nourishment, victory, and a unique, intimate relationship with Christ.

This passage is significant in its balanced approach: it acknowledges the strengths of the church in Pergamum while addressing its weaknesses. The call to repentance and the promise of reward provide a timeless message for believers to remain steadfast in faith, uphold sound doctrine, and seek a deeper, personal relationship with 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 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 Friday, January 26, 2024
Faithfulness and Obedience: Embracing Divine Commands
Psalm 111; Deuteronomy 12:28-32; Revelation 2:12-17
Today's scriptural readings present a powerful story that underscores the importance of faithfulness and adherence to God's will. Psalm 111 is a hymn of praise that glorifies the Lord for His wondrous deeds and everlasting righteousness, emphasizing the significance of gaining wisdom through reverence for the Lord. In Deuteronomy, the narrative turns to the Israelites, who are advised to diligently follow God's statutes and commandments, highlighting that obedience is a key to achieving prosperity and righteousness. This passage sends a stark reminder: straying from these divine directives can have severe repercussions. Revelation 2 addresses the church in Pergamum, cautioning against the perils of false doctrines and stressing the necessity of repentance. These scriptural passages collectively stress the criticality of steadfast faith and the quest for spiritual honesty amidst the worldly challenges and temptations.