The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

 

The Daily Lectionary
with Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Wednesday, February 21, 2024

The Quest for Divine Wisdom,

Guidance, and Strength

Psalm 77; Proverbs 30:1-9; Matthew 4:1-11
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Lent 1)

Introduction

In Psalm 77, Proverbs 30:1-9, and Matthew 4:1-11, we embark on a profound spiritual journey that explores the depths of human questioning, the pursuit of wisdom, and the resilience in the face of temptation. Psalm 77 articulates a poignant cry for God's presence during times of distress, reflecting a deep yearning for understanding amid turmoil. Proverbs 30:1-9 shifts the focus to a humble quest for wisdom and truth, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging one's limitations and the need for divine guidance. In Matthew 4:1-11, the narrative of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness offers a compelling exploration of faith and the strength found in spiritual conviction. Together, these passages intertwine to create a tapestry of faith, demonstrating the relentless search for divine direction and the power of unwavering trust in God's providence.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 77
Prayer for God to Remember Us

Psalm 77 is a poignant expression of human distress and a profound search for God in times of deep trouble. Authored by Asaph, a prominent Levite musician and seer, this Psalm resonates with anyone who has ever felt abandoned or overwhelmed by life's trials. It begins with a heartfelt cry to God, reflecting the Psalmist's intense feelings of despair and isolation. However, as we journey through the verses, we witness a transition from despair to remembrance, from questioning to affirming God's mighty deeds in history. Psalm 77 encourages us to remember God's past faithfulness as a source of hope for our present and future. As we read, let us open our hearts to the timeless message of this Psalm, allowing its words to comfort and strengthen us in our own moments of difficulty.

1    I cry aloud to God, *
        Aloud to God, that he may hear me.

2    In the day of my trouble I seek the LORD;
            in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; *
        My soul refuses to be comforted.

3    I think of God, and I moan; *
        I meditate, and my spirit faints.  Selah

4    You keep my eyelids from closing; *
        I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

5    I consider the days of old, *
        And remember the years of long ago.

6    I commune with my heart in the night; *
        I meditate and search my spirit:

7    “Will the LORD spurn forever, *
        And never again be favorable?

8    Has his steadfast love ceased forever? *
        Are his promises at an end for all time?

9    Has God forgotten to be gracious? *
        Has he in anger shut up his compassion?”  Selah

10  And I say, “It is my grief *
        That the right hand of the Most High has changed.”

11  I will call to mind the deeds of the LORD; *
        I will remember your wonders of old.

12  I will meditate on all your work, *
        And muse on your mighty deeds.

13  Your way, O God, is holy. *
        What god is so great as our God?

14  You are the God who works wonders; *
        You have displayed your might among the peoples.

15  With your strong arm you redeemed your people, *
        The descendants of Jacob and Joseph.  Selah

16  When the waters saw you, O God,
            when the waters saw you, they were afraid; *
        The very deep trembled.

17  The clouds poured out water;
            the skies thundered; *
        Your arrows flashed on every side.

18  The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
            your lightnings lit up the world; *
        The earth trembled and shook.

19  Your way was through the sea,
            your path, through the mighty waters; *
        Yet your footprints were unseen.

20  You led your people like a flock *
        By the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Heavenly Father, in the spirit of Psalm 77, we come before You with hearts yearning for Your presence. In times of trouble, when our spirits refuse to be comforted, we turn to You, seeking Your guidance and wisdom.

Lord, we remember Your deeds; we meditate on all Your works and consider Your mighty deeds. Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; You display Your power among the peoples.

In our distress, we call to You, Lord, knowing that You will hear us. As the Psalmist recalled the days of old, the years long ago, we too remember Your faithfulness through generations. When waters saw You, O God, when the waters saw You, they were afraid; the very deep trembled.

May we find solace in Your steadfast love and unfailing compassion. Teach us to trust in Your sovereign plan, especially when our understanding falls short. Help us to embrace the mysteries of Your ways, knowing that even when Your footsteps are unseen, You lead us like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Through all trials and tribulations, let our hearts be steadfast in remembering Your wondrous works. May our lips sing praises to You, our everlasting Rock and Redeemer.

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 30:1-9
Plea to be Safe from Temptation

Proverbs 30:1-9 presents a profound meditation on the nature of wisdom, humility, and the human relationship with the divine. Authored by Agur, a figure shrouded in mystery, these verses stand out for their deep introspection and philosophical richness. Agur begins with an acknowledgment of his own limitations and ignorance, contrasting it with the infinite wisdom of God. He then delves into a series of profound reflections and requests, including a plea for a life free from falsehood and lies, and a desire to be given neither poverty nor riches. This section is notable for its poetic structure, consisting of a series of rhetorical questions that highlight the unfathomable nature of God and the universe. The passage culminates in a call for balance and moderation in life, reflecting a deep understanding of the human condition and the dangers of extreme wealth or poverty. These verses are often considered a guide for ethical living, emphasizing the importance of honesty, contentment, and a humble search for divine wisdom.

30 1 The words of Agur son of Jakeh. An oracle.

    Thus says the man: I am weary, O God,
        I am weary, O God. How can I prevail?
2    Surely I am too stupid to be human;
        I do not have human understanding.
3    I have not learned wisdom,
        nor have I knowledge of the holy ones.
4    Who has ascended to heaven and come down?
        Who has gathered the wind in the hollow of the hand?
    Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?
        Who has established all the ends of the earth?
    What is the person’s name?
        And what is the name of the person’s child?
        Surely you know!

5    Every word of God proves true;
        he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6    Do not add to his words,
        or else he will rebuke you, and you will be found a liar.

7    Two things I ask of you;
        do not deny them to me before I die:
8    Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
        give me neither poverty nor riches;
        feed me with the food that I need,
9    or I shall be full, and deny you,
        and say, “Who is the Lord?”
    or I shall be poor, and steal,
        and profane the name of my God.

Expository Commentary

Proverbs 30:1-9 contains a collection of sayings attributed to Agur, a figure otherwise unknown in the Bible. This section is notable for its humility and deep wisdom, contrasting with the more straightforward practical wisdom found in earlier chapters of Proverbs.

Verse 1: This verse introduces Agur and his utterance. The mention of "Massa" suggests a connection to a foreign or non-Israelite source of wisdom. Agur acknowledges his human limitations and lack of God-like wisdom.

Verse 2: Agur expresses a deep sense of personal inadequacy and ignorance, contrasting with the usual confidence in wisdom found in Proverbs.

Verse 3: Continuing the theme of humility, Agur admits to lacking the knowledge and wisdom of the holy. This contrasts with earlier sections of Proverbs, where wisdom is often portrayed as attainable.

Verse 4: This verse poses rhetorical questions about the nature of God and creation, emphasizing the transcendence and mystery of God. It's a reminder that human understanding is limited compared to divine wisdom.

Verse 5: The focus shifts to the reliability and perfection of God's words. This verse serves as a reassurance of the trustworthiness of divine guidance, in contrast to human fallibility.

Verse 6: Agur warns against adding to God's words, which could lead to reproof and being exposed as a liar. This reinforces the theme of humility and the need to respect the sufficiency of divine revelation.

Verse 7: Agur's request begins here. He asks for two things before he dies, setting the stage for a practical application of his humility and reverence for God.

Verse 8: The first request is for an avoidance of falsehood and lies, and the second is for a middle way between poverty and riches. Agur recognizes the spiritual dangers of both extreme poverty and wealth.

Verse 9: He explains the reason for his second request: extreme poverty might lead to stealing and thus dishonoring God's name, while extreme wealth might lead to denying the need for God.

Overall, this passage from Proverbs reflects a profound humility and dependence on God. It emphasizes the limitations of human wisdom and the dangers of extreme conditions in life, advocating for a balanced and God-centered approach to living.

Matthew 4:1-11
Matthew’s Account of Jesus’ Temptation

The passage Matthew 4:1-11 is a pivotal section in the New Testament that describes the Temptation of Jesus. This narrative unfolds immediately after Jesus' baptism, where he is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Over forty days and nights of fasting, Jesus faces three significant temptations. Each temptation offers insight into both the human struggles Jesus faced and his divine nature. This passage not only demonstrates Jesus' moral and spiritual fortitude but also sets a precedent for resisting temptation through faith and scripture. The three distinct temptations Jesus encounters are symbolic of broader themes such as physical need and hunger, worldly power and glory, and testing God's protection, each reflecting a deeper spiritual truth.

4 1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,

    ‘One does not live by bread alone,
        but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,

    ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
        and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
    so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9 and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,

    ‘Worship the Lord your God,
        and serve only him.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Expository Commentary

Verse 1: The Initiation of the Temptation

•    "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."

•    This verse sets the stage, highlighting that the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, indicating a divine purpose behind the upcoming trials. The wilderness, often a place of testing in biblical narratives, becomes the setting for Jesus' temptations.

Verses 2-4: The First Temptation

•    Jesus fasts for forty days and nights, becoming famished. Satan tempts Him to turn stones into bread.

•    Jesus' response, quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, emphasizes reliance on God's word over physical needs: "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."

•    This temptation tests Jesus' trust in God's provision and His adherence to spiritual sustenance over physical.

Verses 5-7: The Second Temptation

•    Satan takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem, urging Him to throw Himself down, citing Psalm 91:11-12 about angels protecting Him.

•    Jesus counters with Deuteronomy 6:16: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."

•    This temptation challenges Jesus to misuse His divine relationship for spectacle and assurance of God’s protection, testing God rather than trusting Him.

Verses 8-10: The Third Temptation

•    Satan shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, offering them if Jesus worships him.

•    Jesus responds firmly, quoting Deuteronomy 6:13: "Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him."

•    This temptation confronts Jesus with worldly power and glory, tempting Him to achieve His mission through earthly means rather than God’s plan.

Verse 11: The Conclusion of the Temptation

•    Satan leaves, and angels come to attend to Jesus.

•    This signifies the end of the temptation period and divine approval of Jesus’ faithfulness. The ministering of angels shows God's care for Jesus after His trial.

Each temptation represents a challenge to Jesus' identity and mission, testing His faithfulness to God's will. Jesus' responses, rooted in Scripture, reaffirm His commitment to God and His understanding of true spiritual authority and dependence. This passage is often seen as a model of resisting temptation, emphasizing reliance on God and Scripture.

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 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Commentaries are by Kenny Sallee, ThM, aided by ChatGPT.

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