The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Tuesday, July 2, 2024

 

The Daily Lectionary
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Tuesday, July 2, 2024

From Desperation to Devotion

Psalm 88; Leviticus 15:19-31; 2 Corinthians 9:1-5
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Complementary Reading Plan)
(Ordinary 13)

Introduction

Psalm 88, Leviticus 15:19-31, and 2 Corinthians 9:1-5 form a poignant tapestry of the human experience, weaving together themes of despair, ritual purity, and the call to generous living. In Psalm 88, we encounter a heartfelt cry from the depths of suffering, highlighting the raw honesty of biblical lament. Leviticus 15:19-31 delves into the ancient practices of ritual cleanliness, offering a glimpse into the daily lives and spiritual disciplines of the Israelites. Finally, 2 Corinthians 9:1-5 shifts our focus to the New Testament call for generosity, urging believers to prepare and give willingly. Together, these passages guide us in understanding how to remain faithful and devoted through life's various trials and demands.

Psalm 88
Prayer for Restoration

Psalm 88 stands as one of the most somber and poignant psalms in the Psalter. This lament, attributed to the Korahites, expresses a deep sense of despair and abandonment. The psalmist cries out to God, detailing intense suffering and feelings of isolation from both God and humanity. Unlike other psalms of lament, Psalm 88 ends without a note of hope or resolution, making it a unique and powerful testament to the raw human experience of anguish and the persistent quest for divine intervention amidst life's darkest moments.

1    O LORD, God of my salvation,
        when, at night, I cry out in your presence,
2    let my prayer come before you;
        incline your ear to my cry.

3    For my soul is full of troubles,
        and my life draws near to Sheol.
4    I am counted among those who go down to the Pit;
        I am like those who have no help,
5    like those forsaken among the dead,
        like the slain that lie in the grave,
    like those whom you remember no more,
        for they are cut off from your hand.
6    You have put me in the depths of the Pit,
        in the regions dark and deep.
7    Your wrath lies heavy upon me,
        and you overwhelm me with all your waves.    Selah

8    You have caused my companions to shun me;
        you have made me a thing of horror to them.
    I am shut in so that I cannot escape;
9        my eye grows dim through sorrow.
    Every day I call on you, O LORD;
        I spread out my hands to you.
10  Do you work wonders for the dead?
        Do the shades rise up to praise you?    Selah
11  Is your steadfast love declared in the grave,
        or your faithfulness in Abaddon?
12  Are your wonders known in the darkness,
        or your saving help in the land of forgetfulness?

13  But I, O LORD, cry out to you;
        in the morning my prayer comes before you.
14  O LORD, why do you cast me off?
        Why do you hide your face from me?
15  Wretched and close to death from my youth up,
        I suffer your terrors; I am desperate.
16  Your wrath has swept over me;
        your dread assaults destroy me.
17  They surround me like a flood all day long;
        from all sides they close in on me.
18  You have caused friend and neighbor to shun me;
        my companions are in darkness.

Expository Commentary

Verses 1-2 — The Cry for Help: The psalmist begins with an urgent plea to God, acknowledging Him as the source of salvation. The repetitive cry signifies persistent prayer, indicating the severity of the psalmist's distress. The night setting underscores a time of vulnerability and deep sorrow.

Verses 3-5 — The Depth of Suffering: Here, the psalmist vividly describes the extent of his suffering. His soul is overwhelmed with troubles, and he feels close to death (Sheol). He likens himself to the dead, abandoned and forgotten by God, which emphasizes his profound sense of abandonment and isolation.

Verses 6-7 —  The Perception of Divine Wrath: The psalmist attributes his suffering to God's actions, feeling that God has cast him into the deepest darkness. The imagery of being overwhelmed by waves conveys a sense of drowning under God's wrath, signifying an inescapable and intense suffering.

Verses 8-9 — Isolation from Community: The psalmist experiences social isolation, feeling abandoned by friends and seeing himself as a horror to others. This isolation compounds his suffering, leaving him confined and in perpetual sorrow. Despite this, he continues to reach out to God daily, indicating persistent faith amidst despair.

Verses 10-12 — Questioning God's Presence in Death: These rhetorical questions express the psalmist's fear that death will sever his connection to God. He questions whether the dead can experience God's wonders, steadfast love, and faithfulness, suggesting that the psalmist feels these divine qualities are inaccessible in his current state of near-death.

Verses 13-14 — Renewed Plea for Attention: The psalmist reiterates his plea for God's attention, emphasizing his persistent prayer from morning to night. He directly questions God's seeming abandonment, yearning for a response and a reconnection with the divine presence.

Verses 15-18 — The Depth of Despair: The psalmist concludes by describing a lifelong experience of suffering and divine terror, leading to a state of utter desperation. The overwhelming sense of divine wrath is depicted as an all-encompassing flood, leaving the psalmist isolated and abandoned by friends and neighbors. The final note of "darkness" symbolizes the absence of hope and the depth of his despair.

In conclusion, Psalm 88 stands as a stark and unrelenting depiction of human suffering and divine silence. Its unique structure, ending without a resolution, mirrors the ongoing struggle of the psalmist. This psalm provides a voice for those in the depths of despair, validating their experiences and offering a raw and honest prayer in the face of unrelieved suffering.

Leviticus 15:19-31
Bleeding Women are Unclean

Leviticus 15:19-31 provides detailed instructions regarding the ritual impurity associated with a woman's menstrual cycle. This passage outlines the duration of her impurity, the specific actions required for purification, and the handling of objects she comes into contact with during this period. It emphasizes the importance of ritual cleanliness within the community of Israel and the procedures to be followed to maintain holiness and avoid defilement. These guidelines reflect the broader Levitical concerns with purity, health, and the proper worship of God.

15 19 When a woman has a discharge of blood that is her regular discharge from her body, she shall be in her impurity for seven days, and whoever touches her shall be unclean until the evening. 20 Everything upon which she lies during her impurity shall be unclean; everything also upon which she sits shall be unclean. 21 Whoever touches her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe in water, and be unclean until the evening. 22 Whoever touches anything upon which she sits shall wash his clothes, and bathe in water, and be unclean until the evening; 23 whether it is the bed or anything upon which she sits, when he touches it he shall be unclean until the evening. 24 If any man lies with her, and her impurity falls on him, he shall be unclean seven days; and every bed on which he lies shall be unclean.

25 If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, not at the time of her impurity, or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her impurity, all the days of the discharge she shall continue in uncleanness; as in the days of her impurity, she shall be unclean. 26 Every bed on which she lies during all the days of her discharge shall be treated as the bed of her impurity; and everything on which she sits shall be unclean, as in the uncleanness of her impurity. 27 Whoever touches these things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe in water, and be unclean until the evening. 28 If she is cleansed of her discharge, she shall count seven days, and after that she shall be clean. 29 On the eighth day she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons and bring them to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting. 30 The priest shall offer one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make atonement on her behalf before the LORD for her unclean discharge.

31 Thus you shall keep the people of Israel separate from their uncleanness, so that they do not die in their uncleanness by defiling my tabernacle that is in their midst.

Expository Commentary

Verses 19-24: Ritual Impurity During Menstruation

• 19-20: The passage begins by stating that when a woman has her regular flow of blood, she will be in a state of impurity for seven days. Anything she lies or sits on during this period will also be considered unclean. This sets the framework for understanding the period of impurity associated with menstruation and the associated objects.

• 21-22: Anyone who touches her bed or anything she sits on must wash their clothes and bathe in water, remaining unclean until evening. This requirement highlights the importance of ritual cleanliness and the need for purification after contact with someone who is ritually impure.

• 23-24: If a man has sexual relations with her during her menstrual period, he too becomes unclean for seven days, and any bed he lies on will be unclean. This reinforces the prohibition against sexual relations during menstruation and the spread of impurity.

Verses 25-27: Impurity from Prolonged Bleeding

• 25: The text then addresses a woman who has a discharge of blood beyond her regular period. She will be unclean for as long as the discharge continues, just as she is during her regular menstrual period. This provision extends the period of impurity beyond the usual timeframe, emphasizing the need for additional attention to ritual purity in such cases.

• 26-27: Similar to the rules for regular menstruation, anything she lies on or sits on during this prolonged period of discharge will be unclean. Anyone who touches these objects must wash their clothes, bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening. This consistency in the rules underscores the seriousness of maintaining ritual cleanliness.

Verses 28-30: Purification After the Discharge

• 28-29: When her discharge stops, she must count seven days, and after that, she will be clean. On the eighth day, she must take two turtledoves or two pigeons to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting. This ritual requirement for offering sacrifices indicates the need for a formal end to the period of impurity and the restoration of her status within the community.

• 30: The priest will offer one bird as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, making atonement for her before the Lord for the impurity of her discharge. This sacrificial ritual serves to atone for the impurity and to reintegrate her fully into the religious life of the community.

Verse 31: Conclusion and Purpose

• 31: The final verse summarizes the purpose of these regulations: to keep the Israelites separate from things that defile them, so they will not die in their uncleanness for defiling God's dwelling place among them. This verse reinforces the broader theological and communal significance of the purity laws, emphasizing the need for holiness and the avoidance of defilement in order to maintain the sanctity of the community and its relationship with God.

In summary, Leviticus 15:19-31 provides comprehensive guidelines for handling ritual impurity associated with menstruation and abnormal discharges. These laws emphasize the importance of maintaining purity within the community, detailing specific actions for purification and the need for atonement through sacrifice. The regulations serve to protect the sanctity of the community and ensure proper worship of God, reflecting the broader Levitical concerns with holiness and ritual cleanliness.

2 Corinthians 9:1-5
Voluntary Gifts not Extortion

2 Corinthians 9:1-5 addresses the topic of generosity and preparedness in giving. In this passage, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of being ready and willing to contribute to the needs of others, particularly in support of the church in Jerusalem. Paul commends the Corinthians for their eagerness to help and highlights the significance of their actions as an example for other believers. He encourages them to follow through on their commitments so that their generosity may be seen as a willing gift, not something given reluctantly or under pressure. This passage sets the stage for a broader discussion on the principles and blessings of cheerful giving in the Christian life.

9 1 Now it is not necessary for me to write you about the ministry to the saints, 2 for I know your eagerness, which is the subject of my boasting about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you may not prove to have been empty in this case, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be; 4 otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—in this undertaking. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you, and arrange in advance for this bountiful gift that you have promised, so that it may be ready as a voluntary gift and not as an extortion.

Expository Commentary

Verse 1: Paul begins this section by acknowledging that the Corinthians are already aware of the importance of the collection for the saints in Jerusalem. This collection was a significant project for Paul, intended to provide financial support to the impoverished believers in Jerusalem. By stating that it is unnecessary to write about it, Paul is both affirming their knowledge and encouraging them to act on it.

Verse 2: Paul highlights the Corinthians' previous enthusiasm for the collection, using it as an example to motivate other churches. He mentions that he has been boasting about their eagerness to the Macedonians, indicating that the Corinthians' commitment had a positive influence, inspiring others to participate. Achaia, the region where Corinth is located, had been prepared to contribute for a year, showcasing their sustained dedication.

Verse 3: To ensure that the Corinthians' commitment is followed through, Paul sends some brothers ahead. This is a practical step to avoid any embarrassment for Paul and the Corinthians if they are found unprepared. It underscores the importance of readiness and the integrity of Paul's boasting about their willingness.

Verse 4: Paul stresses the potential shame and humiliation that would occur if the Corinthians were found unprepared, especially since he had praised their eagerness to others. This verse reflects Paul's pastoral concern for the reputation of the Corinthians and the unity of the churches. He wants to avoid any scenario that might undermine the mutual encouragement and support among the believers.

Verse 5: Finally, Paul concludes by reiterating his reason for sending the brothers ahead: to ensure that the promised gift is prepared and given willingly. He emphasizes that the gift should be ready as a voluntary contribution, not something extracted under pressure. This distinction is crucial as it aligns with the Christian principle of cheerful giving, which Paul will elaborate on in the subsequent verses.

In summary, 2 Corinthians 9:1-5 serves as a prelude to Paul's teaching on generosity. He commends the Corinthians for their past enthusiasm, encourages them to follow through on their commitments, and takes practical steps to ensure that their giving is ready and voluntary. This passage sets the stage for the broader theological and ethical reflections on giving that follow in the chapter.

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