The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Seeking Redemption:
A Journey from Desperation to Divine Anointing
Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36; Exodus 30:22-38; Acts 22:2-16
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Ordinary 1)
Introduction
with Commentary
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Seeking Redemption:
A Journey from Desperation to Divine Anointing
Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36; Exodus 30:22-38; Acts 22:2-16
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Ordinary 1)
Introduction
In this thematic exploration, we traverse the profound depths of human despair and divine grace, as portrayed in Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36; Exodus 30:22-38; and Acts 22:2-16. Psalm 69 offers a poignant cry for help, revealing the anguish and isolation felt by the psalmist, yet also showcasing a steadfast hope in God's deliverance. Exodus 30 delves into the sacredness of anointing oil and incense in worship, symbolizing purity, consecration, and the presence of the Divine. Acts 22 recounts the transformative journey of Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, who becomes a passionate apostle after a profound encounter with Jesus. Together, these passages weave a tapestry of redemption, highlighting the human yearning for divine intervention and the transformative power of God's anointing.
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 spirit of Psalm 69, I come before You in humility and need. Like David, I feel overwhelmed at times, as if I am sinking in deep mire with no foothold. The waters of trouble seem to flood over me, and I grow weary with crying out; my throat is parched, and my eyes fail looking for Your help.
Yet, in my distress, I remember Your unfailing love and compassion. You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from You. Let those who hope in You not be disgraced because of me, Lord Almighty; let not those who seek You be put to shame through my actions.
I will praise Your name in song and glorify You with thanksgiving. This will please You more than any sacrifice; more than any offering. The humble will see and be glad; may their hearts who seek You always live!
For You, Lord, hear the needy and do not despise Your captive people. Let heaven and earth praise You, the seas and all that move in them. For You will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Your servants will inherit it, and those who love Your name will dwell there.
May my prayer be in alignment with Your will, O Lord, and may Your grace and mercy flow in abundance to all who seek You.
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.”
Exodus 30:22-38 presents a detailed description of the sacred anointing oil and incense as commanded by God to Moses. This passage is significant in its emphasis on the sacredness and exclusivity of these substances in worship and religious rituals. The anointing oil, made from a blend of fine spices and olive oil, and the incense, composed of aromatic gums and resins, were to be used solely for consecrating the priests and the Tabernacle. This text not only outlines the specific ingredients and their proportions but also underscores the importance of holiness and the separation of the sacred from the profane in Israelite worship.30 22 Then the Lord said to Moses, 23 “Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus, 24 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. 25 Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil. 26 Then use it to anoint the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law, 27 the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, 28 the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. 29 You shall consecrate them so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy.
30 “Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them so they may serve me as priests. 31 Say to the Israelites, ‘This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come. 32 Do not pour it on anyone else’s body and do not make any other oil using the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred. 33 Whoever makes perfume like it and puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off from their people.’”
34 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, 35 and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred. 36 Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. 37 Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the Lord. 38 Whoever makes incense like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off from their people.”
Commentary
Verses 22-33 (Sacredness of the Anointing Oil): This section details the specific recipe for the anointing oil, including myrrh, cinnamon, cane, cassia, and olive oil. The precise measurements and ingredients highlight the care and reverence required in its preparation. The oil was used to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests, marking them as holy and set apart for God’s service. The prohibition against using this oil on any outsider or replicating it for common use reinforces its sacredness and the exclusivity of the priestly role.
Verses 34-38 (Composition and Use of the Incense): The incense, with ingredients like stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense, was to be pure and sacred. It was to be used in the Tent of Meeting, where God would meet with Moses, creating a space filled with a sacred aroma. The incense symbolized the prayers and presence of God among His people. The strict command against making any similar incense for personal use signifies the distinction between what is holy and what is common, a recurring theme in the Old Testament.
Broader Theological Implications: These verses emphasize the holiness of God and the necessity of approaching Him with reverence and in the manner He prescribes. The detailed instructions reflect a God who is concerned with every aspect of worship and who desires His people to distinguish between the sacred and the secular. This passage also foreshadows the ultimate consecration of believers through Christ, our High Priest, who makes us holy through His sacrifice.
Practical Applications: This passage invites reflection on how modern believers approach worship and dedicate themselves to God. It challenges us to consider what is held as sacred in our lives and to honor God not just with rituals, but with a lifestyle that reflects His holiness and distinction from the world. The consecration of the priests serves as a metaphor for the Christian’s calling to be set apart for God’s purposes, living lives that are pleasing and fragrant to Him.
In Acts 22:2-16, the narrative vividly recounts the dramatic and transformative experience of Saul, later known as Paul, on the road to Damascus. This passage is a pivotal moment in the New Testament, illustrating the power of divine intervention and the profound impact of spiritual awakening. Saul, initially a fervent persecutor of Christians, encounters a blinding light and the voice of Jesus Christ, leading to a radical transformation in his beliefs and purpose. This passage not only marks a turning point in Saul's life but also signifies the expansive reach of the Christian message beyond the Jewish community.22 2 When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet.
Then Paul said: 3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. 4 I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, 5 as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.
6 “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’
8 “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.
“ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. 9 My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.
10 “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked.
“ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’ 11 My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.
12 “A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. 13 He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him.
14 “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’
Commentary
Verses 2-11 (Divine Intervention and Revelation): Saul's journey is abruptly interrupted by a heavenly light and the voice of Jesus, questioning his persecution of Christians. This divine encounter symbolizes the unexpected and powerful ways in which God can intervene in human lives, challenging and redirecting their paths.
Verses 12-16 (The Role of Ananias): Ananias, a devout follower of Jesus, plays a crucial role in Saul's transformation. Despite his initial hesitation, Ananias obeys God's command to heal Saul. This act not only restores Saul's physical sight but also initiates his spiritual enlightenment. Ananias's obedience and Saul's acceptance of his help underscore the importance of community and guidance in spiritual journeys.
Verse 16 (Transformation and Baptism): Saul's baptism marks his formal acceptance into the Christian faith and the washing away of his past sins. It signifies a new beginning and a commitment to a life dedicated to Christ. This moment of baptism highlights the theme of redemption and the possibility of a new identity in Christ, regardless of one's past.
Universal Message of Salvation: The conversion of Saul, a Jew who also held Roman citizenship, underscores the universal nature of the Christian message. It signifies the expansion of the Christian faith beyond ethnic and cultural boundaries, emphasizing that salvation through Christ is available to all.
Personal Reflection and Application: Saul's experience invites personal reflection on the transformative power of faith and the willingness to be led by divine guidance. It challenges believers to consider their own life paths and to be open to radical changes directed by faith.
In summary, Acts 22:2-16 is a powerful testament to the life-altering impact of faith and the boundless grace of God, extending an invitation to transformation and new beginnings.
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 Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Seeking Redemption: A Journey from Desperation to Divine Anointing
Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36; Exodus 30:22-38; Acts 22:2-16
In this thematic exploration, we traverse the profound depths of human despair and divine grace, as portrayed in today's readings. Psalm 69 offers a poignant cry for help, revealing the anguish and isolation felt by the psalmist, yet also showcasing a steadfast hope in God's deliverance. Exodus 30 delves into the sacredness of anointing oil and incense in worship, symbolizing purity, consecration, and the presence of the Divine. Acts 22 recounts the transformative journey of Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, who becomes a passionate apostle after a profound encounter with Jesus. Together, these passages weave a tapestry of redemption, highlighting the human yearning for divine intervention and the transformative power of God's anointing.
