The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Tuesday, April 23, 2024

The Daily Lectionary
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Tuesday, April 23, 2024

United in Faith and Triumph

Psalm 95; 1 Chronicles 11:1-9; Revelation 7:13-17
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Easter 4)

Introduction

Psalm 95, 1 Chronicles 11:1-9, and Revelation 7:13-17 collectively weave a narrative of devout leadership, community faith, and the ultimate promise of salvation. Psalm 95 calls believers to worship and kneel before the Lord, emphasizing God’s sovereignty over creation and His people. This call to worship resonates through 1 Chronicles 11:1-9, where David is anointed as king over Israel, symbolizing God’s chosen leadership and the unification of His people under a divine mandate. In Revelation 7:13-17, the focus shifts to a celestial vision, portraying the ultimate reward for the faithful: eternal comfort and salvation, where God Himself will wipe away every tear. Together, these passages illustrate a journey from earthly leadership and worship to heavenly promise, highlighting the continuum of faith from temporal to eternal.

Psalm 95
We Are the Sheep of God’s Hand

Psalm 95 invites believers to celebrate the majesty and power of God. It opens with a vibrant invitation to sing, shout joyfully, and come into God’s presence with thanksgiving, emphasizing the importance of music and gratitude in worship. The psalm highlights God's supremacy as the great King above all gods, acknowledging His creation and control over the depths of the earth and the mountain peaks. As the psalm progresses, it shifts from praise to a solemn warning, reminding worshippers of the importance of not hardening their hearts as the Israelites did at Meribah and Massah in the wilderness. This psalm skillfully combines elements of praise, worship, history, and caution, providing a comprehensive approach to understanding and relating to the divine.

1    O come, let us sing to the LORD;
        let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
2    Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
        let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
3    For the LORD is a great God,
        and a great King above all gods.
4    In his hand are the depths of the earth;
        the heights of the mountains are his also.
5    The sea is his, for he made it,
        and the dry land, which his hands have formed.

6    O come, let us worship and bow down,
        let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
7    For he is our God,
        and we are the people of his pasture,
        and the sheep of his hand.

    O that today you would listen to his voice!
8         Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah,
        as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,
9    when your ancestors tested me,
        and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.
10  For forty years I loathed that generation
        and said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray,
        and they do not regard my ways.”
11  Therefore in my anger I swore,
        “They shall not enter my rest.”

Expository Commentary

Verses 1-2 — Invitation to Worship: These opening verses serve as an enthusiastic invitation to worship. The reference to God as the "rock of our salvation" suggests a sense of stability and protection. The emphasis on singing and making a joyful noise indicates that worship is not just a solemn act but also a celebration.

Verses 3-5 — Proclaiming God’s Greatness: These verses acknowledge God’s sovereignty and creative power. By stating that God is above "all gods," the Psalmist asserts monotheism and the superiority of the Lord over any other entities worshipped. The reference to God's creation of the sea and land reflects the belief in His omnipotence and involvement in creating the physical world.

Verses 6-7a — A Call to Humble Worship: Here, the tone shifts to one of humility and reverence. The act of bowing and kneeling symbolizes submission and respect to God, the creator. The metaphor of the people as "sheep of his pasture" illustrates a relationship of dependence, guidance, and care between God and His people.

Verses 7b-11 — A Warning from History: The final section serves as a solemn warning, drawing from the historical event of the Israelites’ rebellion at Meribah and Massah. It cautions against hardening one's heart and rebelling against God, using the example of the ancestors who tested God despite witnessing His miracles. The reference to "forty years" signifies the period of wandering in the wilderness, a consequence of their disobedience. The phrase "They shall not enter my rest" alludes to the denial of entry into the Promised Land, symbolizing peace and fulfillment.

Psalm 95 thus combines elements of praise and worship with a historical lesson, encouraging faithfulness and obedience to God while remembering the consequences of disobedience.

1 Chronicles 11:1-9
The Shepherd David made King

1 Chronicles 11:1-9 recounts a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, detailing the anointing of David as king and his subsequent conquest of Jerusalem. This passage begins with the tribes of Israel coming to Hebron, acknowledging David's divinely appointed leadership and his past achievements, especially his role as the leader in war. The narrative further highlights the unification of Israel under David's kingship, marking a significant transition from tribal confederation to a centralized monarchy. The focus then shifts to David's capture of Jerusalem, a city that had remained a Jebusite stronghold, illustrating his military prowess and strategic acumen. The text emphasizes that David's ascent to power and his military successes were both a fulfillment of God's promise and a testament to his leadership qualities, setting the stage for a new era in the history of Israel.

11 1 Then all Israel gathered together to David at Hebron and said, “See, we are your bone and flesh. 2 For some time now, even while Saul was king, it was you who commanded the army of Israel. The LORD your God said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over my people Israel.” 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD. And they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD by Samuel.

4 David and all Israel marched to Jerusalem, that is Jebus, where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land. 5 The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will not come in here.” Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion, now the city of David. 6 David had said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites first shall be chief and commander.” And Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became chief. 7 David resided in the stronghold; therefore it was called the city of David. 8 He built the city all around, from the Millo in complete circuit; and Joab repaired the rest of the city. 9 And David became greater and greater, for the LORD of hosts was with him.

Expository Commentary

Verses 1-3: The Anointing of David as King

• Verse 1: All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and acknowledged that they are David's own flesh and blood. This indicates a recognition of David's rightful place as leader, based on both kinship and divine selection.

• Verse 2: The people recall David's past leadership, especially during Saul's reign, acknowledging his role in leading Israel and his divine appointment by God through Samuel.

• Verse 3: The elders of Israel came to David at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them before the Lord. They anointed David king over Israel, in accordance with the word of the Lord through Samuel. This ceremony is a formal and religious ratification of David's kingship.

Verses 4-9: The Conquest of Jerusalem

• Verse 4-5: David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (Jebus). The Jebusites, who inhabited the land, told David he would not enter, but David captured the stronghold of Zion, now known as the City of David. This account emphasizes David’s military capability and the fulfillment of God's promise.

• Verses 6-7: David had declared that the first to attack the Jebusites would be chief and commander. Joab, son of Zeruiah, went up first, so he became chief. Joab's role and initiative are highlighted, showing the importance of valor and action in David's reign.

• Verse 8: David built the city around the area from the Millo inward. The construction of the city symbolizes the establishment of a political and religious center for the unified Israel.

• Verse 9: David became greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him. This verse reinforces the idea that David's success and growth in power were due to divine support, not merely his personal abilities.

In summary, 1 Chronicles 11:1-9 depicts two critical aspects of David's reign: his anointing as king over a unified Israel and his successful conquest and establishment of Jerusalem as his capital. The passage emphasizes the divine endorsement and guidance in David's leadership, setting the theological and historical foundation for the Davidic dynasty.

Revelation 7:13-17
The Lamb will be the Shepherd

Revelation 7:13-17 presents a vivid and comforting vision of salvation and divine providence. In these verses, the Apostle John describes a conversation between himself and one of the elders in Heaven, focusing on the identity and destiny of a great multitude clothed in white robes. This multitude, which comes from all corners of the earth, represents those who have endured great tribulation and have been purified. The passage is rich in imagery and symbolism, depicting God's ultimate protection and the wiping away of all tears. It culminates in a powerful promise of eternal comfort and sustenance from God Himself, illustrating the hope and assurance offered to the faithful in the midst of trials and suffering.

7 13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you are the one that knows.” Then he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15  For this reason they are before the throne of God,
        and worship him day and night within his temple,
        and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.
16  They will hunger no more, and thirst no more;
        the sun will not strike them,
        nor any scorching heat;
17  for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,
        and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,
    and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Expository Commentary

Verses 13-14: The question in verse 13, posed by one of the 24 elders around God's throne, introduces a dialogue that provides a deeper understanding of the vision. The white robes symbolize purity and righteousness, often associated with salvation and redemption in biblical literature. The elder's response in verse 14 emphasizes the transformative journey of the multitude. The "great ordeal" refers to trials and tribulations, possibly persecution for their faith. The imagery of washing robes in the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) symbolizes the purifying and redemptive power of Christ's sacrifice, underlining the theme of salvation through faith and suffering.

Verse 15: This verse offers a scene of celestial worship and divine presence. Those who have endured are granted the privilege of perpetual worship before God's throne, indicating close proximity to the Divine. The promise of God's sheltering presence highlights His protective and nurturing role, reinforcing the concept of divine refuge.

Verse 16: This verse metaphorically portrays the end of suffering and earthly needs. The absence of hunger, thirst, and harm from the elements signifies a state of complete contentment and protection. It reflects the eschatological hope of a new creation where the pains and limitations of the current world are no more.

Verse 17: Here, Christ (the Lamb) is depicted as a shepherd, an image that resonates with pastoral care and guidance. The "springs of the water of life" symbolize eternal life and spiritual nourishment. The promise of God wiping away tears encapsulates the ultimate comfort and healing in God’s presence, echoing the prophetic imagery from Isaiah 25:8, which speaks of a future devoid of pain and sorrow.

In summary, these verses from Revelation offer a rich tapestry of hope, redemption, and divine care, portraying a future where suffering is replaced by eternal joy and closeness to God.

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