The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Monday, March 18, 2024

 

The Daily Lectionary
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Monday, March 18, 2024

Guided by the Divine

Psalm 119:9-16; Isaiah 43:8-13; 2 Corinthians 3:4-11
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Lent 5)

Introduction

In this thematic exploration, we delve into the profound and transformative messages of Psalm 119:9-16, Isaiah 43:8-13, and 2 Corinthians 3:4-11. Psalm 119:9-16 offers a meditation on the significance of God's word in guiding and purifying the lives of believers, emphasizing the joy and commitment in following God's commandments. Isaiah 43:8-13 shifts our focus to the powerful theme of redemption and God's unwavering promise to be the only savior for His people, underscoring His omnipotence and the unique relationship He has with humanity. Finally, 2 Corinthians 3:4-11 contrasts the glory of the new covenant in Christ with the old covenant, highlighting the transformative power of the Spirit and the surpassing glory of the ministry of righteousness. Together, these passages invite us to reflect on the nature of divine guidance, the process of spiritual transformation, and the enduring promise of redemption that flows through the tapestry of biblical revelation.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 119:9-16
I Treasure Your Promise in My Heart

Psalm 119:9-16 is a profound and reflective passage that delves into the theme of living a life in accordance with God's commandments. This segment of the longest psalm in the Bible emphasizes the importance of young people maintaining purity and righteousness through adherence to the Word of God. It underscores the significance of treasuring God's teachings in one's heart as a means to avoid sinning. The psalmist expresses a deep love and respect for God's statutes, vowing to meditate on His precepts and delight in His decrees. This passage is not only a personal commitment to follow God's laws but also an invitation for readers to reflect on the impact of divine guidance in their own lives, highlighting the transformative power of God's word in leading a faithful and righteous path.

9    How can young people keep their way pure?
        By guarding it according to your word.
10  With my whole heart I seek you;
        do not let me stray from your commandments.
11  I treasure your word in my heart,
        so that I may not sin against you.
12  Blessed are you, O LORD;
        teach me your statutes.
13  With my lips I declare
        all the ordinances of your mouth.
14  I delight in the way of your decrees
        as much as in all riches.
15  I will meditate on your precepts,
        and fix my eyes on your ways.
16  I will delight in your statutes;
        I will not forget your word.

Heavenly Father, in the spirit of Psalm 119:9-16, we come before You with hearts eager to embrace Your Word. Guide us, O Lord, in Your truth, and teach us, for You are the God of our salvation; on You we wait all day long.

Help us to understand the way of Your statutes, that we may meditate on Your wonderful works. May Your commandments be our delight and our counselors. Grant us the wisdom to hide Your word in our hearts, that we might not sin against You.

Blessed are You, O Lord; teach us Your statutes. With our lips, let us declare all the rules of Your mouth. In the way of Your testimonies, we delight as much as in all riches. Help us to meditate on Your precepts and fix our eyes on Your ways.

We desire to delight in Your statutes; we will not forget Your word. Strengthen us in our resolve to follow Your path, to seek You with all our hearts, and to live a life that honors You.

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.”

Isaiah 43:8-13
God is Our Savior

Isaiah 43:8-13 presents a powerful and evocative passage in which God speaks directly to His people, affirming His unique and unparalleled status as the only true God. In this segment, God calls upon the blind and deaf to be witnesses to His sovereignty, emphasizing that no other god can compare to Him. This declaration is not just a statement of power but also a profound assurance of God's unfailing commitment to His people. The passage underscores the central theme of God's unchanging nature and His role as the sole creator and redeemer. Isaiah, as a prophet, conveys this message with poetic intensity, inviting readers to reflect on the majesty and might of God, who declares, "Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior." This text is a cornerstone in the tapestry of biblical theology, emphasizing God's enduring presence and irrefutable dominion over all creation.

43 8 Bring forth the people who are blind, yet have eyes,
        who are deaf, yet have ears!
9    Let all the nations gather together,
        and let the peoples assemble.
    Who among them declared this,
        and foretold to us the former things?
    Let them bring their witnesses to justify them,
        and let them hear and say, “It is true.”
10  You are my witnesses, says the LORD,
        and my servant whom I have chosen,
    o that you may know and believe me
        and understand that I am he.
    Before me no god was formed,
        nor shall there be any after me.
11  I, I am the LORD,
        and besides me there is no savior.
12  I declared and saved and proclaimed,
        when there was no strange god among you;
        and you are my witnesses, says the LORD.
13  I am God, and also henceforth I am He;
        there is no one who can deliver from my hand;
        I work and who can hinder it?

Expository Commentary

Verse 8: This verse speaks metaphorically of people who have the physical ability to see and hear but are spiritually blind and deaf to God's teachings and works. It's a call to those who have been ignorant of God’s power and grace to come forward and witness His greatness. This sets the stage for the divine revelation that follows.

Verse 9: Here, God challenges other nations and their gods to predict and declare events as He does. The rhetorical questions imply that no other gods have the power to prophesy or match the works of the true God. This verse emphasizes God’s uniqueness and His authority over all nations and their deities.

Verse 10: God declares the people of Israel as His witnesses, chosen to know, believe, and understand His uniqueness and supremacy. This verse is central to monotheistic belief — emphasizing that no other gods existed before Yahweh and none will be formed after. It underscores the concept of God's eternal existence and singularity.

Verse 11: This verse reinforces the message of the previous verse, asserting that God is not only the sole divine being but also the only source of salvation. It reflects the idea that deliverance, whether spiritual or physical, can only come from God.

Verse 12: God reminds the people of His past actions – declaring (prophesying), saving (delivering), and proclaiming (making known His will). This reference to past deeds serves to validate His claim as the only God. The mention of "no strange god among you" suggests a time of pure faith before the introduction of foreign gods.

Verse 13: This final verse in the passage asserts God’s timeless and unchallengeable power. The phrase "I am He" reiterates God’s eternal and unchanging nature. The rhetorical question at the end underscores the futility of opposing God’s will or actions, as no one can hinder what God intends to do.

In summary, Isaiah 43:8-13 is a powerful declaration of God's sovereignty, uniqueness, and role as the only savior. Through a series of rhetorical questions and affirmations, it invites the audience to recognize and affirm the unmatched power and authority of God.

2 Corinthians 3:4-11
God’s Glory in Christ

In this passage from 2 Corinthians 3:4-11, the Apostle Paul continues his heartfelt and instructive correspondence with the Christian community in Corinth. This section delves into the nature of the ministry of the new covenant, contrasting it with the old covenant represented by Moses. Paul emphasizes the greater glory of the new covenant, brought about through the Spirit, in comparison to the fading glory of the old covenant, which was based on the law. He speaks of the confidence that this new covenant instills in believers, highlighting the transformative power of the Spirit over the written code. This passage is a profound reflection on the transition from the old to the new, underlining the enduring and surpassing glory of the ministry founded in Christ, and its life-giving spirit that transcends the limitations of the former law.

3 4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God, 6 who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

7 Now if the ministry of death, chiseled in letters on stone tablets, came in glory so that the people of Israel could not gaze at Moses’ face because of the glory of his face, a glory now set aside, 8 how much more will the ministry of the Spirit come in glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, much more does the ministry of justification abound in glory! 10 Indeed, what once had glory has lost its glory because of the greater glory; 11 for if what was set aside came through glory, much more has the permanent come in glory!

Expository Commentary

Verses 4-5: Paul begins by acknowledging the source of his confidence and competence. Unlike the self-assuredness rooted in personal abilities or achievements, Paul credits his confidence and ability to minister to the work and grace of Christ. He emphasizes that it is God who equips and enables, thus deflecting glory away from himself and towards God.

Verse 6: Here, Paul introduces a key theme of the passage: the contrast between the "letter" (the law of Moses) and the "Spirit" (the new covenant through Jesus Christ). The "letter" refers to the Old Testament law, which, though holy and good, ultimately condemns as it exposes human sinfulness without offering redemption. In contrast, the "Spirit" represents the new covenant of grace and truth brought by Jesus, which brings life and transformation.

Verse 7: Paul references the account from Exodus where Moses' face shone after receiving the law from God. The glory of the law, despite being significant, was temporary and fading. Paul uses this imagery to set up a comparison with the surpassing glory of the new covenant.

Verse 8: This rhetorical question highlights the superiority of the new covenant. If the old covenant, which brought condemnation, had glory, how much more glorious is the new covenant that brings the Spirit and life?

Verse 9: Paul continues the contrast, now focusing on the outcomes: condemnation versus righteousness. The new covenant doesn’t just reveal sin (like the old covenant); it provides a solution through righteousness in Christ.

Verse 10: This verse further emphasizes the surpassing glory of the new covenant. The old covenant’s glory is eclipsed by the far greater glory of the new covenant, which is permanent and life-giving.

Verse 11: Paul concludes this section by contrasting the transient nature of the old covenant with the enduring nature of the new covenant. The eternal and unchanging nature of the new covenant in Christ far outshines the old, highlighting its superior and lasting glory.

In summary, 2 Corinthians 3:4-11 contrasts the old and new covenants, underscoring the superiority of the new covenant in Christ. Paul emphasizes the transition from the letter, which brings death and condemnation, to the Spirit, which gives life and righteousness. This passage reflects a deep theological understanding of the Christian faith and its foundational shift from the law to grace.

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 biblical commentaries provided here are intended for educational and spiritual enrichment purposes only. The interpretations and insights offered are based on the authors' understanding and perspective of the Bible, which may be influenced by their theological training, denominational background, and personal beliefs.

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