The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Monday, April 29, 2024

 

The Daily Lectionary
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Monday, April 29, 2024

Cultivating Faithfulness

Psalm 80; Isaiah 5:1-7; Galatians 5:16-26
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Easter 5)

Introduction

In this triad of scripture readings—Psalm 80, Isaiah 5:1-7, and Galatians 5:16-26—we traverse a spiritual landscape that stretches from the disappointment of the Divine Vineyard Owner to the fruitful living encouraged by the Apostle Paul. Psalm 80 vividly depicts the cry of a people longing for restoration, symbolized through the metaphor of a vineyard under divine care. This imagery is further expanded in Isaiah 5:1-7, where the vineyard becomes a poignant symbol of Israel's unfruitfulness despite God's nurturing. Transitioning to the New Testament, Galatians 5:16-26 presents a contrast, urging believers to live by the Spirit, thereby producing virtues akin to the most bountiful of spiritual fruits. Together, these passages invite reflection on the nature of spiritual growth, contrasting human frailty with the transformative power of living in alignment with the Spirit.

Psalm 80

Israel the Vine

Psalm 80 is a heartfelt supplication for divine restoration and salvation. Characterized by its recurring plea, 'Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved,' this psalm uniquely blends lamentation with hope, as the psalmist pleads with God to rescue Israel from its plight. The imagery of Israel as a vine, meticulously brought out of Egypt and planted by God, only to be ravaged and scorned by neighbors, poignantly reflects the nation's distress and divine abandonment. Yet, amid despair, the psalm resonates with faith in God's ability to save and renew. The psalmist's fervent prayers for restoration are not just a cry for help, but also a profound expression of unwavering trust in God's mercy and power to revive His people.

1    Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
        you who lead Joseph like a flock!
    You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
2        before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
    Stir up your might,
        and come to save us!

3    Restore us, O God;
        let your face shine, that we may be saved.

4    O LORD God of hosts,
        how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
5    You have fed them with the bread of tears,
        and given them tears to drink in full measure.
6    You make us the scorn of our neighbors;
        our enemies laugh among themselves.

7    Restore us, O God of hosts;
        let your face shine, that we may be saved.

8    You brought a vine out of Egypt;
        you drove out the nations and planted it.
9    You cleared the ground for it;
        it took deep root and filled the land.
10  The mountains were covered with its shade,
        the mighty cedars with its branches;
11  it sent out its branches to the sea,
        and its shoots to the River.
12  Why then have you broken down its walls,
        so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?
13  The boar from the forest ravages it,
        and all that move in the field feed on it.

14  Turn again, O God of hosts;
        look down from heaven, and see;
    have regard for this vine,
15       the stock that your right hand planted.
16  They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down;
        may they perish at the rebuke of your countenance.
17  But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,
        the one whom you made strong for yourself.
18  Then we will never turn back from you;
        give us life, and we will call on your name.

19  Restore us, O LORD God of hosts;
        let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Expository Commentary

Verses 1-2: These verses introduce the psalm with a plea to the Shepherd of Israel, a title that signifies God's leadership and care. The reference to Joseph, Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh symbolizes the whole of Israel, focusing on the Northern Kingdom. The call for God to "stir up your might" is a plea for divine intervention.

Verse 3: "Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved." This refrain, repeated in verses 7 and 19, is the heart of the psalm. It's a cry for restoration and salvation, believing that God’s favor, symbolized by His shining face, is essential for their deliverance.

Verses 4-6: Here, the psalmist describes the people's distress, emphasizing that their suffering is a result of God's anger. The bread of tears and ample tears to drink are metaphors for intense suffering and despair.

Verses 8-11: The imagery of Israel as a vine is profound. God is described as having brought a vine out of Egypt (symbolizing the Exodus), planting it, and caring for it. This vine (Israel) grew and flourished under God's protection, a reference to the kingdom's expansion.

Verses 12-13: However, the wall protecting the vine has been broken down, allowing all who pass by to plunder it. This section metaphorically describes the invasions and troubles faced by Israel, left vulnerable to its enemies.

Verses 14-16: The psalmist pleads for God's return and protection. The reference to the vine, the son whom God made strong for himself, may allude to the Davidic dynasty or Israel as God's chosen people. The plea emphasizes their dependence on God for life and safety.

Verses 17-18: This passage shifts to a more individualistic plea. The "man at your right hand" could refer to the king or a collective representation of Israel. The son of man made strong by God reflects a desire for renewed strength and leadership under divine guidance.

Verse 19: The psalm concludes by repeating the refrain from verses 3 and 7. This final plea underscores the central theme of the psalm - a longing for restoration and salvation by the grace of God.

In summary, this psalm blends lament with hope, combining expressions of deep distress with unwavering faith in God’s power to save and restore. It reflects Israel’s understanding of their covenant relationship with God, acknowledging their plight while firmly believing in divine salvation.

Isaiah 5:1-7
The Unfaithful Vineyard

Isaiah 5:1-7, a passage from the Old Testament of the Christian Bible, forms part of the prophetic writings of Isaiah, a major prophet in Jewish and Christian traditions. This specific section is famously known as the "Song of the Vineyard." It opens with a metaphorical and poetic depiction, where Isaiah speaks of his beloved's vineyard, symbolizing the House of Israel or the people of Judah. The passage eloquently conveys the care and expectation of the vineyard's owner, representing God, who meticulously tended to it, anticipating good grapes. However, the vineyard only yields wild grapes, serving as a metaphor for Israel's divergence from God's ways. The song subtly shifts into a prophetic judgment against the people of Israel, emphasizing themes of justice and righteousness, contrasting them with bloodshed and cries of distress heard in the vineyard. This passage is a profound reflection on the consequences of moral and spiritual failings, and the expectations of a just and compassionate God towards His people.

5 1 Let me sing for my beloved

        my love-song concerning his vineyard:
    My beloved had a vineyard
        on a very fertile hill.
2    He dug it and cleared it of stones,
        and planted it with choice vines;
    he built a watchtower in the midst of it,
        and hewed out a wine vat in it;
    he expected it to yield grapes,
        but it yielded wild grapes.

3    And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem
        and people of Judah,
    judge between me
        and my vineyard.
4    What more was there to do for my vineyard
        that I have not done in it?
    When I expected it to yield grapes,
        why did it yield wild grapes?

5    And now I will tell you
        what I will do to my vineyard.
    I will remove its hedge,
        and it shall be devoured;
    I will break down its wall,
        and it shall be trampled down.
6    I will make it a waste;
        it shall not be pruned or hoed,
        and it shall be overgrown with briers and thorns;
    I will also command the clouds
        that they rain no rain upon it.

7    For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts
        is the house of Israel,
    and the people of Judah
        are his pleasant planting;
    he expected justice,
        but saw bloodshed;
    righteousness,
        but heard a cry!

Expository Commentary

Verse 1 — Introduction of the Song: This verse sets the stage for the parable, with Isaiah introducing a love song about a vineyard, which is an allegory. The "beloved" refers to God, and the "vineyard" symbolizes the people of Israel. The fertile hill signifies the advantageous position Israel had, given its covenant relationship with God.

Verse 2 — Care and Expectation: This verse details the care the owner took in preparing the vineyard, symbolizing the efforts God made in establishing Israel. The careful preparation (removing stones, planting choice vines) represents the guidance and laws provided to Israel. The expectation of good grapes signifies the moral and spiritual fruits God expected from His people. However, the yield of wild grapes represents Israel's failure to live up to God's expectations, reflecting their moral and spiritual decay.

Verse 3 — Appeal for Judgment: Here, God (through Isaiah) asks the people of Jerusalem and Judah to judge the situation themselves. This rhetorical device is meant to bring self-awareness among the people about their own failings.

Verse 4 — God's Frustration: This verse expresses God's frustration and disappointment. It poses a rhetorical question, highlighting that despite God’s ample provision and care (symbolized through the work done in the vineyard), the people failed to produce the expected ‘fruit’ of justice and righteousness.

Verse 5-6 —  Announcement of Judgment: These verses are a declaration of the consequences for Israel’s failure. The removal of the vineyard’s protections (hedge and wall) symbolizes the withdrawal of divine protection, leading to vulnerability. The imagery of ruin and neglect conveys the impending judgment and desolation due to their unfaithfulness.

Verse 7 — The Metaphor Explained: Finally, the metaphor is explicitly interpreted. Israel (the vineyard) failed to produce justice and righteousness (good grapes), instead yielding bloodshed and cries of distress (wild grapes). This verse succinctly encapsulates the core message of the passage: God's disappointment with Israel's failure to live up to the ethical and spiritual standards of their covenant relationship.

In summary, each verse in Isaiah 5:1-7 carries profound implications, emphasizing the expectations of a just and compassionate God and the tragic consequences when His people fail to uphold those standards.

Galatians 5:16-26
The Fruits of the Spirit

Galatians 5:16-26 invites believers into a deeper understanding of Christian living as seen through the lens of the Apostle Paul's teachings. This section delves into the contrast between living by the 'flesh' and living by the 'Spirit.' Paul elaborates on the 'works of the flesh,' which include various forms of immorality and unethical behavior, contrasting them with the 'fruit of the Spirit,' qualities such as love, joy, peace, and self-control. This passage not only serves as a moral compass for Christians but also highlights the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers towards a life that reflects the values and character of Christ. As such, Galatians 5:16-26 is often cited in discussions about Christian ethics, personal transformation, and the journey towards spiritual maturity.

5 16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.

Expository Commentary

Verse 16: Paul begins by encouraging believers to live according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The "flesh" here symbolizes a life led by mere human desires and impulses, often leading to sin. Paul's directive is clear: align your life with the Spirit to resist these base urges.

Verse 17: This verse highlights the internal conflict between our human desires (the flesh) and spiritual aspirations (the Spirit). The two are in constant tension, often leading to a struggle in making righteous decisions.

Verse 18: Here, Paul points out that living under the Spirit's guidance liberates one from the strictures of the Mosaic Law. It's not the law that saves, but the grace of God experienced through the Spirit.

Verse 19-21: Paul enumerates the 'works of the flesh,' behaviors and attitudes that are considered sinful and destructive. This list is illustrative, not exhaustive, emphasizing that such actions are contrary to God's will.

Verses 22-23: The 'fruit of the Spirit' refers to the virtues that emerge in a life guided by the Holy Spirit. These qualities are in stark contrast to the works of the flesh, representing the ethical and moral standards of Christian life.

Verse 24: This verse metaphorically speaks of those who follow Christ having 'crucified' their sinful nature. It signifies a decisive break with the past way of life, embracing a new life in Christ.

Verse 25: Paul urges consistency in the Christian life. If one claims to live by the Spirit, their actions and decisions should also reflect the Spirit's guidance.

Verse 26: The final verse in this section serves as a warning against pride and envy, which can disrupt community harmony. Paul emphasizes humility and mutual respect among believers.

In summary, Galatians 5:16-26 contrasts the destructive nature of living according to the flesh with the transformative and positive life led by the Spirit. It emphasizes the Christian call to ethical and moral living, guided by the Holy Spirit, in pursuit of the virtues that reflect Christ's character.

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