The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Wednesday, January 3, 2024

 

The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Divine Sovereignty, Wisdom's Call,

and Humble Submission

Psalm 110; Proverbs 1:20-33; James 4:1-10
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Days around Epiphany)

Introduction

Psalm 110, Proverbs 1:20-33, and James 4:1-10 collectively present a profound tapestry of divine wisdom, authority, and the path to righteousness. Psalm 110, attributed to David, speaks of the Lord’s eternal priesthood and sovereign rule, foretelling the Messiah’s reign. Proverbs 1:20-33 personifies Wisdom, calling out in the public squares, offering guidance and warning of the consequences of ignoring her voice. Lastly, James 4:1-10 addresses conflicts and desires that wage war within us, urging believers to submit to God, resist the devil, and humble themselves before the Lord. Together, these passages interweave themes of divine authority, the pursuit of wisdom, and the necessity of humility and submission in the life of a believer.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 110
The Reign of the Eternal Priest-King

Psalm 110, a messianic psalm attributed to King David, offers a profound vision of a divine ruler who is both a king and a priest, an extraordinary combination in the context of Israel's history. This psalm is unique as it is directly cited in the New Testament, notably in Hebrews and the Gospels, as a prophecy about Jesus Christ. Its opening line, "The Lord says to my lord: 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet,'" sets a tone of divine authority and victory. The psalm unfolds with vivid imagery of this ruler's might and eternal priesthood, suggesting a reign that transcends earthly boundaries and time. Psalm 110 challenges and comforts believers by presenting a messianic figure who wields both priestly intercession and kingly power, promising an ultimate victory over evil and death.

1    The Lord says to my lord: *

        “Sit at my right hand
            until I make your enemies
                a footstool for your feet.”

2    The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying, *
        “Rule in the midst of your enemies!”

3    Your troops will be willing
            on your day of battle. *
        Arrayed in holy splendor,
            your young men will come to you
                like dew from the morning’s womb.

4    The Lord has sworn
            and will not change his mind: *
        “You are a priest forever,
            in the order of Melchizedek.”

5    The Lord is at your right hand; *
        He will crush kings on the day of his wrath.

6    He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead *
        And crushing the rulers of the whole earth.

7    He will drink from a brook along the way, *
        And so he will lift his head high.

Heavenly Father, as we reflect on the words of Psalm 110, we are in awe of Your majestic plan, revealed through the promise of a Priest-King. In these verses, we recognize the prophecy of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who reigns eternally at Your right hand. We are grateful for His victorious power and His priestly intercession on our behalf. Lord, help us to fully grasp the depth of His authority and the extent of His reign, which brings hope and peace to our hearts. Guide us in living lives that honor His kingship and reflect His loving sovereignty.

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 1:20-33
Wisdom's Call Amidst Foolishness

Proverbs 1:20-33 presents a vivid portrayal of wisdom as a proactive, vocal entity, passionately calling out to the people in the bustling public spaces. This passage is a cornerstone in the book of Proverbs, emphasizing the value of wisdom and the perils of ignoring it. It serves as a poignant reminder that wisdom is not hidden or exclusive, but rather, it is accessible and persistently seeking our attention in the midst of our everyday lives.

1 20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,
        she raises her voice in the public square;
21  on top of the wall she cries out,
        at the city gate she makes her speech:

22  “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?
        How long will mockers delight in mockery
        and fools hate knowledge?
23  Repent at my rebuke!
        Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
        I will make known to you my teachings.
24  But since you refuse to listen when I call
        and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
25  since you disregard all my advice
        and do not accept my rebuke,
26  I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you;
        I will mock when calamity overtakes you—
27  when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
        when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
    when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

28  “Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
        they will look for me but will not find me,
29  since they hated knowledge
        and did not choose to fear the Lord.
30  Since they would not accept my advice
        and spurned my rebuke,
31  they will eat the fruit of their ways
        and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
32  For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
        and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33  but whoever listens to me will live in safety
        and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

Commentary

Verses 20-21 (The Public Nature of Wisdom's Call): Wisdom is depicted as crying out in the busiest places—in the streets, at the city gate—symbolizing its accessibility to all. This challenges the notion that wisdom is elusive or reserved for a select few; it is available to everyone, regardless of their status or circumstance.

Verses 22-25 (Rejection of Wisdom): The passage addresses simple ones, mockers, and fools, highlighting different attitudes towards wisdom. The simple are naive, the mockers are cynical, and the fools hate knowledge. Wisdom's offer is met with disregard, and her counsel and rebuke are ignored. This reflects the human tendency to resist guidance and correction, often due to pride or ignorance.

Verses 26-32 (Consequences of Ignoring Wisdom): Here, the tone shifts to a stark warning. Wisdom, once rejected, becomes the source of dread for the foolish during their calamities. The passage vividly illustrates that the consequences of ignoring wisdom are severe and self-inflicted. It emphasizes that the choice to reject wisdom is not without repercussion—it leads to distress, fear, and destruction.

Verse 33 (The Security in Heeding Wisdom): In contrast to the dire outcomes for those who ignore wisdom, those who listen to her will dwell in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. This promise underlines the protective power of wisdom and its ability to offer stability and peace, even amidst life's uncertainties.

Overall, Proverbs 1:20-33 serves as a powerful exhortation to embrace wisdom. It portrays wisdom not just as a set of principles, but as a proactive force, calling out to humanity to choose a path that leads to life and peace. The passage encourages readers to actively seek and heed wisdom, underscoring its vital role in navigating the complexities of life.

James 4:1-10
Seeking Humility and God’s Grace

In James 4:1-10, the passage delves deep into the roots of conflict and strife among believers, highlighting the dangers of worldly desires and pride. It emphasizes the importance of humility, submission to God, and the rejection of worldly values. This scripture challenges us to introspect and realign our lives with God's will, encouraging a humble approach to our relationship with the Divine and with each other. It serves as a powerful reminder that true peace and grace are found in God’s loving embrace and not in the fleeting desires of the world.

4 1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

    “God opposes the proud
        but shows favor to the humble.”

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Commentary

Verses 1-3: James begins by addressing the cause of quarrels and fights among believers, identifying them as stemming from unfulfilled desires and passions. These conflicts are portrayed as the result of selfish ambitions, revealing a deeper spiritual malaise: the prioritization of personal desires over godly virtues. James critiques the misuse of prayer for selfish ends, emphasizing that motives matter to God.

Verses 4-5: The text moves to a stark warning against friendship with the world, equating it with enmity against God. This strong language underscores the seriousness of choosing worldly values over divine ones. The spirit mentioned here could be interpreted as the human spirit prone to jealousy, highlighting the internal struggle between worldly desires and divine calling.

Verses 6-7: These verses introduce a shift towards hope and redemption. God offers more grace to the humble, emphasizing the virtue of humility in the Christian life. The directive to submit to God and resist the devil promises a powerful outcome: the devil will flee, illustrating the victory of spiritual strength over temptation.

Verses 8-9: James calls for a sincere and heartfelt return to God, assuring that God will reciprocate this movement. The call to purify hands and hearts symbolizes a holistic approach to repentance—both in action and in intention. The exhortation to mourn and wail over one's sins reflects the gravity of repentance, a deep recognition of one's own spiritual shortcomings.

Verse 10: The passage culminates in a profound principle: humility before God leads to exaltation. This verse encapsulates the message of the entire passage: the path to true peace and spiritual elevation lies in recognizing our dependence on God, renouncing worldly pride, and embracing a posture of humility and submission to the Divine will.

In summary, James 4:1-10 calls for a deep personal and communal transformation, urging believers to reassess their values, desires, and practices in the light of God's wisdom and grace. It's a powerful call to choose spiritual richness over worldly gain, and peace over conflict.

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 Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Divine Sovereignty, Wisdom's Call, and Humble Submission
Psalm 110; Proverbs 1:20-33; James 4:1-10
Today's lectionary readings collectively present a profound tapestry of divine wisdom, authority, and the path to righteousness. Psalm 110, attributed to David, speaks of the Lord’s eternal priesthood and sovereign rule, foretelling the Messiah’s reign. Our reading in Proverbs personifies Wisdom, calling out in the public squares, offering guidance and warning of the consequences of ignoring her voice. Lastly, our reading in James addresses conflicts and desires that wage war within us, urging believers to submit to God, resist the devil, and humble themselves before the Lord. Together, these passages interweave themes of divine authority, the pursuit of wisdom, and the necessity of humility and submission in the life of a believer.