The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Saturday, January 13, 2024

 

The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Saturday, January 13, 2024

Divine Knowledge and Human Choices

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; 1 Samuel 2:21-25; Matthew 25:1-13
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Ordinary 2)

Introduction

This selection of scriptures, encompassing Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18, 1 Samuel 2:21-25, and Matthew 25:1-13, delves into the profound themes of God's omniscience and human agency. Psalm 139 celebrates the intimate knowledge God has of us, recognizing His presence in every moment of our existence, from our formation in the womb to the complexities of our daily lives. In 1 Samuel 2, we witness the interplay of divine providence and human choices through the lives of Eli's sons, contrasting God's blessing on Hannah's family with the consequences of disobedience. Matthew 25:1-13, through the Parable of the Ten Virgins, challenges us to be prepared and vigilant, emphasizing the importance of readiness for God’s kingdom. Together, these passages invite reflection on how our choices align with God's overarching plan, urging us to seek wisdom and understanding in our journey of faith.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
Unfathomable Knowledge, Intimate Design

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 is a profound reflection on God's omnipresence and omniscience. It expresses the psalmist's awe at God's intimate knowledge of every aspect of human life and the divine intricacy in our creation. This passage is a celebration of the inescapable presence of God and a testament to the belief that every individual is wonderfully made by a knowing Creator. As we delve into these verses, we are invited to contemplate the depth of God's understanding and the personalized care with which He has fashioned each of us.

1    You have searched me, Lord, *
        And you know me.

2    You know when I sit and when I rise; *
        You perceive my thoughts from afar.

3    You discern my going out and my lying down; *
        You are familiar with all my ways.

4    Before a word is on my tongue *
        You, Lord, know it completely.

5    You hem me in behind and before, *
        And you lay your hand upon me.

6    Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, *
        Too lofty for me to attain.

13  For you created my inmost being; *
        You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; *
        Your works are wonderful,
            I know that full well.

15  My frame was not hidden from you *
        When I was made in the secret place,
            when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

16  Your eyes saw my unformed body; *
        All the days ordained for me were written in your book
            before one of them came to be.

17  How precious to me are your thoughts, God! *
        How vast is the sum of them!

18  Were I to count them, *
       They would outnumber the grains of sand—
            when I awake, I am still with you.

Heavenly Father, in the quiet of this moment, I come before You with a heart full of awe for Your profound knowledge and presence in my life. As I reflect on Psalm 139, I am humbled by the depth of Your understanding and the intimate care You have for every part of my being.

Lord, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. Your presence encompasses my every moment, and You are acquainted with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, You, Lord, know it completely.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. The realization that You are with me in every step, in every breath, overwhelms me with gratitude and wonder.

You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place, woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are Your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with You.

Gracious God, guide me to live each day in the light of Your love and wisdom. Help me to remember that You are always with me, guiding and protecting me. May I find comfort in Your presence and strength in Your knowledge of me.

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.”

1 Samuel 2:21-25
Guidance Amidst Disobedience

In this passage from 1 Samuel 2:21-25, we encounter a profound exploration of the dynamics between divine providence and human free will. The narrative pivots around the contrasting behaviors of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, and the young Samuel. While Eli's sons continue to act wickedly in their roles as priests, disregarding the sacred duties entrusted to them, Samuel grows in favor with both the Lord and the people. This juxtaposition illustrates the enduring theme of faithfulness versus rebellion in the face of divine guidance.

2 21 And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.

22 Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 23 So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours. 24 No, my sons; the report I hear spreading among the Lord’s people is not good. 25 If one person sins against another, God may mediate for the offender; but if anyone sins against the Lord, who will intercede for them?” His sons, however, did not listen to their father’s rebuke, for it was the Lord’s will to put them to death.

Commentary

1. Divine Favor and Human Growth (Verse 21): Samuel's growth, both physically and in favor with the Lord, stands in stark contrast to the moral decline of Eli's sons. This difference underscores the theme of divine blessing upon those who live in obedience and reverence to God.

2. The Tragic Stubbornness of Eli's Sons (Verses 22-23): The immoral actions of Hophni and Phinehas, despite Eli's rebuke, highlight the perils of disobedience and the hardening of the heart against God's will. Their behavior serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of straying from the path of righteousness.

3. Eli's Warning and the Inevitability of Divine Justice (Verses 24-25): Eli warns his sons about the dangers of sinning against the Lord, emphasizing that there is no intercessor for those who deliberately rebel against God. This section of the passage brings to the fore the theme of inevitable divine justice, which looms over those who persist in their wicked ways.

4. The Interplay of Divine Sovereignty and Human Agency: At the core of this narrative is the tension between God's sovereign will and human choice. While God's plans ultimately prevail, as seen in Samuel's rise, the passage also reflects on the responsibility individuals bear for their actions, as exemplified by the downfall of Eli's sons.

In conclusion, 1 Samuel 2:21-25 invites reflection on the importance of obedience, the consequences of disobedience, and the mysterious interplay between divine guidance and human decision-making. It serves as a poignant reminder of the paths available to us and the repercussions of the choices we make in our spiritual journeys.

Matthew 25:1-13
Preparedness and Vigilance

In Matthew 25:1-13, we encounter the Parable of the Ten Virgins, a powerful narrative that Jesus uses to teach about the Kingdom of Heaven and the importance of being prepared. This parable, rich in symbolism and spiritual insight, presents ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom. Their task is to be ready for his arrival with lamps lit, symbolizing readiness for the coming of Christ. The story unfolds with a focus on preparedness, distinguishing between those who are ready and those who are not. This passage invites us to reflect on our own spiritual readiness and the significance of being vigilant in our faith journey.

25 1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Commentary

1. The Context of the Parable (Verses 1-2): The setting is a wedding banquet, a common metaphor in Scripture for the coming of God's Kingdom. The virgins represent believers, and the bridegroom symbolizes Christ. The division of the virgins into wise and foolish groups highlights the contrast between true preparedness and mere outward appearance.

2. The Prepared and the Unprepared (Verses 3-5): The wise virgins bring extra oil, demonstrating foresight and commitment. In contrast, the foolish virgins fail to prepare adequately, reflecting a lack of genuine commitment to their faith. This difference underscores the theme of readiness, not just in actions but in the depth of one's relationship with God.

3. The Arrival of the Bridegroom (Verses 6-10): The unexpected arrival of the bridegroom at midnight, a time of unpreparedness for many, is symbolic of Christ's second coming. The wise virgins are ready to meet him, while the foolish ones scramble to find oil. This moment signifies the suddenness of Christ's return and the urgency of being spiritually prepared at all times.

4. The Closed Door (Verses 11-12): The refusal of the bridegroom to open the door to the foolish virgins is a stark reminder of the consequences of unpreparedness. It signifies that there comes a point when it is too late to develop a relationship with God, emphasizing the need for continual vigilance in one's faith.

5. The Final Exhortation (Verse 13): The concluding admonition to keep watch serves as a universal call to all believers. It urges us to be alert, not only in anticipation of Christ's return but also in living out our faith daily. The message is clear: spiritual preparedness is not a one-time event but a continuous process.

In conclusion, Matthew 25:1-13 challenges us to examine our spiritual lives with honesty and urgency. It calls us to a deeper commitment, constant vigilance, and a readiness that goes beyond surface-level expressions of faith. In this parable, Jesus teaches that the true test of our preparedness is not in the momentary acts but in the sustained readiness of our hearts for His coming.

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, January 13, 2024
Divine Knowledge and Human Choices
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; 1 Samuel 2:21-25; Matthew 25:1-13
Today's selection of scriptures delves into the profound themes of God's omniscience and human agency. Psalm 139 celebrates the intimate knowledge God has of us, recognizing His presence in every moment of our existence, from our formation in the womb to the complexities of our daily lives. In 1 Samuel 2, we witness the interplay of divine providence and human choices through the lives of Eli's sons, contrasting God's blessing on Hannah's family with the consequences of disobedience. Matthew 25:1-13, through the Parable of the Ten Virgins, challenges us to be prepared and vigilant, emphasizing the importance of readiness for God’s kingdom. Together, these passages invite reflection on how our choices align with God's overarching plan, urging us to seek wisdom and understanding in our journey of faith.