The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Monday, January 8, 2024
Covenant, Faith, and Salvation
Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36; Genesis 17:1-13; Romans 4:1-12
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Ordinary 1)
Introduction
with Commentary
Monday, January 8, 2024
Covenant, Faith, and Salvation
Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36; Genesis 17:1-13; Romans 4:1-12
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Ordinary 1)
Introduction
In this exploration of scripture, we delve into three distinct yet interconnected biblical passages: Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36, Genesis 17:1-13, and Romans 4:1-12. Psalm 69 offers a poignant cry for deliverance, showcasing a deep trust in God amidst adversity. Genesis 17 reveals the establishment of the covenant between God and Abraham, marking a pivotal moment in the journey of faith and the promise of a multitude of descendants. Romans 4 discusses the righteousness of faith, exemplified in Abraham, and extends the understanding of being part of God's family beyond the boundaries of law and circumcision. These passages collectively underscore the themes of enduring faith, divine promises, and the inclusive nature of salvation, inviting us to reflect on the depths of God's covenant and the transformative power of faith.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36
Seeking Salvation in Deep Waters
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36
Seeking Salvation in Deep Waters
Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36 resonates with the raw emotions of despair and hope. This passage vividly portrays a plea for deliverance and the enduring faith of the psalmist in God's unfailing love and salvation. As the psalmist navigates through overwhelming challenges, symbolized by deep waters and mire, they remain steadfast in seeking God's mercy. This psalm teaches us about the power of steadfast faith amidst life's tumultuous trials and the transformative grace of God's salvation.1 Save me, O God, *
For the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold. *
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.
3 I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched. *
My eyes fail,
looking for my God.
4 Those who hate me without reason
outnumber the hairs of my head; *
Many are my enemies without cause,
those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore *
What I did not steal.
5 You, God, know my folly; *
My guilt is not hidden from you.
30 I will praise God’s name in song *
And glorify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the Lord more than an ox, *
More than a bull with its horns and hooves.
32 The poor will see and be glad— *
You who seek God, may your hearts live!
33 The Lord hears the needy *
And does not despise his captive people.
34 Let heaven and earth praise him, *
The seas and all that move in them,
35 For God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah. *
Then people will settle there and possess it;
36 The children of his servants will inherit it, *
And those who love his name will dwell there.
Heavenly Father, in the depths of our struggles, we reach out to You, just as the psalmist did in Psalm 69. Your Word reminds us that even when we are submerged in life's overwhelming waters, Your love and salvation are unwavering. Grant us the strength to endure our trials with faith and the wisdom to seek Your presence in every moment of despair. May we, like the psalmist, praise Your holy name and find solace in Your unfailing mercy. Lead us from the depths of our challenges to the heights of Your grace and love.
Be with us today and every day in Jesus Christ, Who taught us to pray:
“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”
Genesis 17:1-13 presents a profound moment in the Biblical narrative, where God establishes His covenant with Abram. This passage marks not only a pivotal promise from God but also a transformation in Abram's identity and destiny. The text begins with God appearing to Abram, affirming His almighty nature, and instructing Abram to walk before Him faithfully. The core of this passage is the establishment of a covenant, a divine promise that extends through generations, signifying God’s unending commitment to His people. The transformation of Abram’s name to Abraham and the institution of circumcision as a sign of the covenant are significant elements of this chapter, symbolizing a new beginning and a deeper relationship with God.17 1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am [El Shaddai] God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. 2 Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”
3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7 I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8 The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”
9 Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. 10 This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. 13 Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant.
Commentary
Verse 1 (God's Appearance and Command): The passage begins with God revealing Himself to Abram as El Shaddai, often translated as God Almighty. This title emphasizes God's supreme power and authority. The command to Abram to walk before me faithfully and be blameless sets the stage for a life of devoted service and moral integrity, underscoring the importance of faith and obedience in the relationship with God.
Verses 2-8 (Establishment of the Covenant): This section details God's covenant with Abram, a promise that goes beyond mere words. It encompasses land, descendants, and a perpetual divine relationship. The promise of making Abram exceedingly fruitful and nations and kings coming from him underlines the expansiveness and generational impact of this covenant.
Verse 5 (Abram Renamed Abraham): The changing of Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning father of many, signifies a new identity aligned with the promise of God. This name change is symbolic of the transformation that occurs when one enters into a covenant relationship with God.
Verses 9-13 (The Sign of the Covenant—Circumcision): The institution of circumcision as a physical sign of the covenant is pivotal. It serves as a constant reminder of the Israelites' special relationship with God and their commitment to His commandments. This act, required of every male descendant, links the community to the promise, making the covenant not only spiritual but also physical and communal.
In essence, Genesis 17:1-13 encapsulates a momentous shift in Abram's life, from a regular individual to the patriarch of a nation under God's promise. It serves as a reminder of the power of faith, the importance of obedience, and the profound impact of a divine promise.
Romans 4:1-12 delves into the profound theme of justification by faith, using Abraham as a central example. This passage challenges traditional Jewish notions of righteousness and obedience, arguing that it is faith, not law adherence, which grants righteousness before God. Paul addresses the questions surrounding the basis of Abraham’s righteousness, emphasizing that his faith, and not his works, rendered him righteous. This section is pivotal for understanding the Apostle Paul's theology of grace and faith, extending the promise of salvation to both Jews and Gentiles.4 1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”
9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11 And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12 And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
Commentary
Verses 1-3 (Abraham's Faith as the Basis of Righteousness): The chapter begins with a rhetorical question about Abraham, the forefather of the Jews. Paul cites Genesis 15:6, where Abraham's belief in God was credited to him as righteousness. This emphasis on faith over works or lineage sets the tone for the entire argument.
Verses 4-8 (Faith Beyond Circumcision): Paul extends the argument by contrasting the wages earned by work and the grace received through faith. He uses David’s words from the Psalms to illustrate that blessedness comes not through law-keeping but through God’s forgiveness and grace, available to those who believe.
Verses 9-12 (Inclusivity of Faith for All): The apostle further explores the timing of Abraham's righteousness in relation to circumcision. He points out that Abraham was declared righteous before he was circumcised, making him the father of all who believe, whether circumcised or not. This inclusivity breaks down the barriers between Jew and Gentile, emphasizing that faith is the universal basis for righteousness.
In summary, Romans 4:1-12 (NIV) presents a radical redefinition of righteousness, shifting the focus from legalistic adherence to the law to a faith-based relationship with God. Paul uses Abraham’s example to demonstrate that true righteousness is a matter of faith, accessible to all, irrespective of ethnic or religious background. This passage is a cornerstone in Christian theology, underscoring the doctrine of justification by faith and the inclusivity of God's promise.
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 Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Commentaries are by Kenny Sallee, ThM.
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 Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Monday, January 8, 2024
Covenant, Faith, and Salvation
Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36; Genesis 17:1-13; Romans 4:1-12
In this exploration of scripture, we delve into three distinct yet interconnected biblical passages: Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36, Genesis 17:1-13, and Romans 4:1-12. Psalm 69 offers a poignant cry for deliverance, showcasing a deep trust in God amidst adversity. Genesis 17 reveals the establishment of the covenant between God and Abraham, marking a pivotal moment in the journey of faith and the promise of a multitude of descendants. Romans 4 discusses the righteousness of faith, exemplified in Abraham, and extends the understanding of being part of God's family beyond the boundaries of law and circumcision. These passages collectively underscore the themes of enduring faith, divine promises, and the inclusive nature of salvation, inviting us to reflect on the depths of God's covenant and the transformative power of faith.
