The Daily Lectionary
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Unity in Diversity
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Genesis 11:1-9; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Pentecost)
Introduction
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Unity in Diversity
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Genesis 11:1-9; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Pentecost)
Introduction
This week’s readings from Psalm 104, Genesis 11, and 1 Corinthians 12 invite us to reflect on the awe-inspiring theme of unity in diversity within the context of God’s vast and varied creation. Psalm 104 praises the Lord for the intricacy and beauty of the creatures He has made, showcasing the wisdom and care embedded in creation. Genesis 11 tells the story of the Tower of Babel, illustrating how human pride and the desire for uniformity can lead to division, yet also revealing God’s sovereign plan in diversifying human language and culture. Finally, 1 Corinthians 12 uses the metaphor of the human body to describe the Church, emphasizing how our different gifts and roles are crucial for the well-being of the whole community. Together, these passages teach us that diversity is not just a challenge to be overcome but a divine gift to be celebrated, encouraging us to embrace our interdependence and the creative power of God.
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b is a jubilant celebration of God's meticulous creation and providence. These verses exalt the diversity and complexity of the world, from the vast seas teeming with creatures to the intricate life cycles sustained by God's Spirit. The psalmist marvels at how the earth is filled with God's creations, each dependent on His provision for their sustenance. This section of Psalm 104 culminates in a call for personal reflection and praise, encouraging the faithful to rejoice in God's eternal glory. The passage ends with a prayer for the eradication of sin, echoing the desire for a world that continuously reflects the Creator's purity and splendor.24 O LORD, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
25 Yonder is the sea, great and wide,
creeping things innumerable are there,
living things both small and great.
26 There go the ships,
and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.
27 These all look to you
to give them their food in due season;
28 when you give to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
29 When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die
and return to their dust.
30 When you send forth your spirit, they are created;
and you renew the face of the ground.
31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD rejoice in his works—
32 who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke.
33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in the LORD.
35b Bless the LORD, O my soul.
Praise the LORD!
Expository Commentary
Verses 24-26: These verses highlight the magnificence and diversity of God's creation. The psalmist begins by acknowledging the vastness and richness of the earth, filled with innumerable creatures, both large and small. The reference to the sea, "great and wide," teeming with "creeping things innumerable" and "living things both small and great," points to the complexity and mystery of marine life, which was less understood in ancient times. This passage not only reflects a sense of wonder at the natural world but also a deep recognition of God's wisdom in creating such diversity and complexity.
Verse 27-30: Here, the focus shifts to the interdependence of all creatures on God's provision. The psalmist observes that all life depends on God to provide food in due time. When God gives, they gather; when God opens His hand, they are filled with good things. Conversely, when God hides His face, they are dismayed; when God takes away their breath, they die and return to dust. Then, by sending forth His Spirit, God renews the face of the ground. This cycle of life and death, and renewal, underscores the sovereignty of God over life and the natural order.
Verses 31-32: The psalmist expresses a hope that God's glory will endure forever and that God will rejoice in His works. The mention of God looking on the earth and trembling, or touching the mountains so they smoke, suggests the awe-inspiring power of God in both creation and destruction, further emphasizing God's mastery over the natural world.
Verses 33-34: These verses reflect the personal commitment of the psalmist to praise God. He vows to sing to the Lord as long as he lives and to praise God while he has being. His meditation on God—that is, his deep thought and reflection on God's nature and works—is pleasing to him. This portrays a personal and joyful commitment to worship that is stirred by observing and meditating on God's creation and deeds.
Verse 35b: The conclusion of the psalm, "Praise the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord," serves as a doxological refrain, echoing the sentiment of the entire psalm. It is a call to praise that extends beyond the individual to all who are listening, inviting them to join in a communal celebration of God's creative power and providential care.
This section of Psalm 104 uses vivid imagery of the natural world to convey themes of dependency on God, the cyclical nature of life, and the appropriate human response of awe, reverence, and praise. The psalmist's words aim to lead the faithful in recognizing the breadth of God's work and responding with worship and joyous praise.
Genesis 11:1-9, known as the story of the Tower of Babel, presents a pivotal narrative in the Biblical tradition, illustrating themes of unity, ambition, and divine intervention. This passage describes how all humanity, speaking a single language, gathered in the land of Shinar and decided to build a city with a tower that reached to the heavens—a symbol of their collective strength and a monument to their unity. However, their pride and desire to make a name for themselves provoked God to confuse their language, thereby scattering them across the earth and halting their construction. This story serves as a profound reflection on the limits of human ambition and the complexities of communication and cooperation that continue to shape our world.11 1 Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. 2 And as they migrated from the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3 And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” 5 The LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built. 6 And the LORD said, “Look, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down, and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. 9 Therefore it was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.
Expository Commentary
Verses 1-2 — The Unity of Humanity: The narrative begins with the entire earth sharing one language and using the same words, signifying a rare moment of complete unity among all people. As they move eastward, they settle in the land of Shinar. This geographical detail not only serves as a setting but also implies a collective movement towards a shared goal or vision.
Verse 3 — The Decision to Build: The people decide to build a city and a tower with its top in the heavens. Their use of brick and bitumen as building materials reflects the ingenuity and technological advancements of the time. Bricks, an innovation compared to stone, and bitumen, used as mortar, signify a shift from nomadic to settled, urban life.
Verse 4 — Motivation for the Construction: The motivation behind their project—to make a name for themselves and avoid being scattered over the face of the whole earth—reveals a deep-seated human desire for identity and significance. This verse underscores a collective fear of dispersion and obscurity, driving them to create a monument of their existence.
Verses 5-7 — Divine Intervention: God's descent to see the city and the tower indicates divine attention and concern over human actions. The decision to confuse their language as a response to their unity and ambition illustrates a pivotal theme in biblical texts: the limitations imposed by God on human hubris. The scattering of people serves as a corrective action to prevent them from overreaching.
Verse 8 — The Scattering of Humanity: As a direct result of the confusion of their language, the people are unable to communicate effectively, halting their building project. This scattering fulfills the very scenario they aimed to avoid—being spread across the earth. It reflects a divine irony where their greatest fear is realized as a consequence of their own actions.
Verse 9 — Naming of Babel: The narrative concludes with the naming of the city as Babel, which sounds like the Hebrew word for "confused." This etymology serves as a lasting reminder of the divine action that thwarted human pride. The story of Babel not only explains the origin of diverse languages but also serves as a moral about the risks of excessive ambition and the inherent limitations of human endeavors.
This passage from Genesis offers profound insights into human nature, divine sovereignty, and the tension between them. It serves as a cautionary tale about the limits of human ambition and the complexity of communication, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative and human history.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27, explores the profound analogy of the church as the Body of Christ, emphasizing the unity and diversity of its members. In this passage, Apostle Paul elucidates how just as a human body is composed of various parts, each with its unique function, so too is the Christian community made up of diverse individuals, each contributing uniquely to the whole. This segment encourages believers to recognize the importance of every member, no matter how seemingly insignificant, and to foster a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. Through this metaphor, Paul not only reinforces the interconnectedness of Christians but also highlights the value of diversity in advancing the church's mission.12 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
14 Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many members, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; 24 whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, 25 that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Expository Commentary
Verse 12: Paul begins by drawing a parallel between the human body and the Church, stating that just as the body is one entity but made up of many parts, so is Christ. This analogy introduces the idea that unity does not negate diversity; rather, it encompasses it.
Verse 13: This verse emphasizes inclusivity, noting that all members, regardless of their background (Jews or Greeks, slaves or free), have been baptized into one body by the same Spirit. It highlights the democratizing force of the Holy Spirit, which integrates all believers into a single body.
Verse 14-17: Here, Paul elaborates on the diversity within the body, using the human body's parts as a metaphor for the members of the Church. He argues that the body does not consist of one part but many, and that if every part were the same, the body would not function properly. This illustrates the necessity of different roles and functions within the Church.
Verse 18: God’s sovereignty is underscored in this verse. It explains that God has arranged each part of the body exactly as He wanted. This suggests a divine blueprint for church structure, where every role is purposefully designed and placed.
Verse 19-20: Reiterating the importance of diversity, Paul points out that if all were a single member, where would the body be? The rhetorical question stresses that diversity contributes to the completeness and functionality of the body.
Verse 21-22: These verses address the interdependence of the body's parts. Paul argues that the parts of the body that seem weaker are indispensable, and those that seem less honorable are treated with special honor. This teaches that in the Church, every member is vital and deserves respect and care.
Verse 23-24: Paul continues to explain how we give greater honor to the parts that lacked it, suggesting a principle of compensation where less presentable parts are treated with special modesty and care, whereas more presentable parts do not require this. This balancing act ensures that there is no division in the body.
Verse 25-26: The apostle highlights the mutual care among the members, stating that if one part suffers, every part suffers with it, and if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. This mutual empathy and shared joy are marks of a healthy, functioning body.
Verse 27: Paul concludes by reasserting that all the believers are indeed one body in Christ, each being a part of it. This reaffirmation serves to remind the Corinthians of their collective identity and responsibilities as members of Christ's body.
In this passage, Paul uses the body metaphor not just to describe but also to prescribe how members of the church should interact—celebrating diversity, honoring each other, and sharing in each other’s joys and pains, thereby living out the unity that they have in Christ.
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
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
