The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Saturday, June 22, 2024

 

The Daily Lectionary
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Saturday, June 22, 2024

The Sovereign Power and Saving Grace of God

Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32; Job 37:1-13; Luke 21:25-28
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Complementary Reading Plan)
(Ordinary 12)

Introduction

In Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32, the psalmist extols the steadfast love and mighty deeds of the Lord, who redeems His people from their distress and calms the stormy seas. Job 37:1-13 echoes this theme by portraying God's unmatched power over nature, emphasizing His wisdom in the workings of the world. Luke 21:25-28 points to the signs of the end times, where celestial disturbances herald the coming of the Son of Man in power and glory. Together, these passages underscore the awe-inspiring sovereignty of God and His unwavering commitment to deliver and protect His people.

Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
God Stilled the Storm

Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32 is a powerful testament to God's steadfast love and faithfulness. This passage opens with a call to give thanks to the Lord, recognizing His goodness and enduring love for His redeemed people. It then shifts focus to those who experience God's saving power amidst the dangers of the sea. The vivid imagery of sailors facing perilous waves and their subsequent deliverance by God's command highlights His control over creation and His willingness to rescue those in distress. This psalm reminds believers of the importance of gratitude and trust in God's providential care, even in the most tumultuous circumstances.

1    O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
        for his steadfast love endures forever.
2    Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
        those he redeemed from trouble
3    and gathered in from the lands,
        from the east and from the west,
        from the north and from the south.

23  Some went down to the sea in ships,
        doing business on the mighty waters;
24  they saw the deeds of the LORD,
        his wondrous works in the deep.
25  For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,
        which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26  They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths;
        their courage melted away in their calamity;
27  they reeled and staggered like drunkards,
        and were at their wits’ end.
28  Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
        and he brought them out from their distress;
29  he made the storm be still,
        and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30  Then they were glad because they had quiet,
        and he brought them to their desired haven.
31  Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
        for his wonderful works to humankind.
32  Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
        and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Expository Commentary

Verses 1-3: These opening verses set the tone for the entire Psalm, which is a song of thanksgiving for God's deliverance. The psalmist calls on the people to give thanks to the Lord, recognizing His goodness and enduring love. The phrase "steadfast love" (Hebrew: "hesed") refers to God's covenantal faithfulness and mercy. The "redeemed of the Lord" are those whom God has rescued from various troubles and gathered from all corners of the earth. This gathering signifies not just a physical return but a spiritual restoration to God's favor and presence.

Verses 23-27: In these verses, the psalmist shifts to a specific example of God's deliverance: the peril faced by those who go to sea. These sailors witness the "deeds of the Lord" in the vast and often dangerous waters. God commands the stormy wind, demonstrating His sovereign control over nature. The vivid imagery of the waves mounting up to heaven and then plunging to the depths captures the terrifying power of the sea. The sailors' courage melts away, and they are described as staggering like drunkards, illustrating their utter helplessness and desperation.

Verses 28-32: When the sailors cry out to the Lord in their distress, He responds by calming the storm and stilling the waves. This divine intervention leads to their deliverance, filling them with gladness and bringing them safely to their desired haven. This section emphasizes the transformative power of prayer and God's readiness to rescue those who call upon Him. The psalmist concludes with a call to give thanks and praise to the Lord for His steadfast love and wondrous works, urging the community to publicly acknowledge and celebrate God's faithfulness in the congregation and among the elders.

Overall, Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32 is a vivid reminder of God's sovereignty, His ability to save, and the importance of gratitude for His unwavering love and mercy. The passage encourages believers to trust in God's providence and to openly express their thanks and praise for His continuous acts of deliverance.

Job 37:1-13
Elihu Extols God’s Power

Job 37:1-13 presents a powerful discourse on the majesty and sovereignty of God, articulated through the vivid imagery of a thunderstorm. This passage is part of Elihu's speech, emphasizing God's unmatched power and wisdom, evident in nature's wonders. Elihu describes the awe-inspiring phenomenon of thunder and lightning, rain and snow, as manifestations of God's voice and control over the universe. These natural occurrences serve as a reminder of human limitations and the necessity of reverence and submission to God's omnipotence. Through this vivid portrayal, the text invites readers to contemplate the divine authority and majesty that orchestrate the natural world.

37 1 “At this also my heart trembles,
        and leaps out of its place.
2    Listen, listen to the thunder of his voice
        and the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
3    Under the whole heaven he lets it loose,
        and his lightning to the corners of the earth.
4    After it his voice roars;
        he thunders with his majestic voice
        and he does not restrain the lightnings when his voice is heard.
5    God thunders wondrously with his voice;
        he does great things that we cannot comprehend.
6    For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth’;
        and the shower of rain, his heavy shower of rain,
7    serves as a sign on everyone’s hand,
        so that all whom he has made may know it.
8    Then the animals go into their lairs
        and remain in their dens.
9    From its chamber comes the whirlwind,
        and cold from the scattering winds.
10  By the breath of God ice is given,
        and the broad waters are frozen fast.
11  He loads the thick cloud with moisture;
        the clouds scatter his lightning.
12  They turn round and round by his guidance,
        to accomplish all that he commands them
        on the face of the habitable world.
13  Whether for correction, or for his land,
        or for love, he causes it to happen.

Expository Commentary

Verses 1-2: Elihu begins with an expression of awe, as his heart trembles at the sound of God’s voice. The phrase "my heart trembles" signifies a profound emotional and physical reaction to the divine presence. Elihu invites the listeners to pay attention to the "thunder of his voice and the rumbling that comes from his mouth," highlighting the power and majesty of God’s voice, likened to a thunderstorm.

Verse 3: The imagery of God sending out lightning "under the whole heaven" and reaching the "ends of the earth" emphasizes the vastness of God's reach and authority. Lightning serves as a metaphor for God's omnipresence and his ability to influence the entire world.

Verse 4: Following the lightning, the sound of thunder is depicted as the voice of God. Elihu notes that God’s voice "roars" and that He "thunders with his majestic voice," illustrating both the power and majesty of God’s speech. The fact that God "does not restrain" the thunder implies His absolute control and unchallenged authority.

Verse 5: Elihu asserts that God thunders "wondrously with his voice," performing "great things that we cannot comprehend." This highlights the mystery and incomprehensibility of God’s actions and the limitations of human understanding in the face of divine power.

Verses 6-7: Elihu describes how God commands the snow and rain to fall upon the earth. This command ensures that "everyone whom he has made may know it." By controlling the weather, God demonstrates His sovereignty over creation, and all people are made aware of His power through these natural phenomena.

Verse 8: The verse portrays animals taking shelter in their dens, suggesting a response to God's control over nature. The natural instinct of animals to seek shelter during storms reflects the order and wisdom inherent in God's creation.

Verse 9: Elihu speaks of the tempest coming out from its chamber and the cold from the "scattering winds." This poetic description reinforces the theme of God’s control over the natural elements and the changing seasons, depicting them as tools in His hands.

Verses 10-11: The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters are frozen. This shows the power of God's word to transform the state of the natural world. Additionally, God loads the clouds with moisture and scatters his lightning, further illustrating His active role in the processes of nature.

Verse 12: The clouds are directed by God to accomplish "all that he commands them on the face of the habitable world." This indicates that every aspect of the natural world operates according to God’s will, underscoring His omnipotence and the purposeful nature of His actions.

Verse 13: Elihu concludes by stating that God causes these events "whether for correction or for his land or for love." This reveals that God’s actions in nature serve multiple purposes: to discipline, to benefit the land, or to express His love. It emphasizes that God’s interactions with the world are driven by divine wisdom and intent, whether for judgment, provision, or grace.

In conclusion, Job 37:1-13 is a vivid depiction of God's might and authority, as witnessed through the natural world. Elihu's speech serves to remind readers of the grandeur and mystery of God’s power, calling them to recognize their own limitations and to revere the Creator who commands the forces of nature.

Luke 21:25-28
The Roaring of the Sea and the Waves

In Luke 21:25-28, Jesus speaks to his disciples about the signs of the end times and the coming of the Son of Man. He describes a dramatic cosmic upheaval, with disturbances in the sun, moon, and stars, and the nations in turmoil, reacting with fear and confusion to the roaring of the sea and the waves. This apocalyptic imagery highlights the profound changes and distress that will precede His return. Jesus encourages His followers to remain steadfast and hopeful, urging them to stand and raise their heads, for their redemption is drawing near. This passage serves as a reminder of the ultimate hope and salvation promised to believers, even amidst chaos and uncertainty.

21 25 “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Expository Commentary

Verse 25: Jesus begins this passage by describing cosmic signs that will signal the end times. The mention of the sun, moon, and stars suggests a dramatic and undeniable disruption of the natural order, indicating a significant divine intervention. The distress among nations, coupled with the roaring of the sea and waves, symbolizes chaos and fear on a global scale. These signs in the heavens and the resulting earthly turmoil point to a time of great upheaval, emphasizing the magnitude of the events that will precede the return of the Son of Man.

Verse 26: This verse highlights the human reaction to these apocalyptic events. The fear and foreboding experienced by people underscore the intensity of the situation. The phrase "the powers of the heavens will be shaken" suggests a profound disturbance in the cosmic order, which further amplifies the sense of dread. The shaking of the heavens implies a disruption of the established order, pointing to the extraordinary nature of the events that will unfold.

Verse 27: After describing the tumultuous signs, Jesus provides a message of hope and revelation. The appearance of the Son of Man "in a cloud" is a reference to Daniel 7:13, where the Son of Man is depicted as a messianic figure endowed with authority and glory. This imagery conveys the idea of divine majesty and power. The phrase "with power and great glory" emphasizes the triumphant and authoritative nature of Christ's return, contrasting sharply with the preceding chaos and fear. It reassures believers that the culmination of these events is the glorious and redemptive coming of Jesus.

Verse 28: In this final verse, Jesus addresses His followers directly, encouraging them to respond to these signs with courage and hope. The command to "stand up and raise your heads" is a call to be vigilant and confident, rather than succumbing to fear. The assurance that "your redemption is drawing near" provides a powerful message of hope and deliverance. It reminds believers that the chaos and distress are temporary and that their ultimate salvation and restoration are imminent.

In summary, Luke 21:25-28 serves as a profound and vivid portrayal of the signs of the end times and the return of the Son of Man. Jesus uses apocalyptic imagery to convey the magnitude of the coming events, emphasizing both the fear they will inspire and the ultimate hope they represent. Through these verses, believers are encouraged to remain steadfast and hopeful, confident in the promise of redemption and the triumphant return of Christ. This passage reassures the faithful that even in the midst of cosmic and earthly turmoil, their salvation is certain and near.

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