The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Divine Knowledge, Human Frailty,
with Commentary
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Divine Knowledge, Human Frailty,
and Spiritual Warfare
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; Judges 2:6-15; 2 Corinthians 10:1-11
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Ordinary 2)
Introduction
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; Judges 2:6-15; 2 Corinthians 10:1-11
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Ordinary 2)
Introduction
Today's collection of scriptural passages from Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; Judges 2:6-15; and 2 Corinthians 10:1-11 offers a profound exploration of God's omniscience, the vulnerability of human nature, and the dynamics of spiritual warfare. Psalm 139 celebrates the intimate knowledge God has of us, acknowledging His presence in every aspect of our existence. Judges 2 reflects on the consequences of Israel's disobedience and the cyclical nature of human frailty and divine mercy. In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul addresses the nature of spiritual warfare, emphasizing the power of divine weapons to demolish strongholds. Together, these passages invite reflection on the depth of God's understanding, our own struggles with faithfulness, and the strength we find in spiritual resilience.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
Unfathomable Knowledge, Intimate Design
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
Unfathomable Knowledge, Intimate Design
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 is a profound reflection on God's omnipresence and omniscience. It expresses the psalmist's awe at God's intimate knowledge of every aspect of human life and the divine intricacy in our creation. This passage is a celebration of the inescapable presence of God and a testament to the belief that every individual is wonderfully made by a knowing Creator. As we delve into these verses, we are invited to contemplate the depth of God's understanding and the personalized care with which He has fashioned each of us.1 You have searched me, Lord, *
And you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise; *
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down; *
You are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue *
You, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before, *
And you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, *
Too lofty for me to attain.
13 For you created my inmost being; *
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; *
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you *
When I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; *
All the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! *
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them, *
They would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
Heavenly Father, in Your boundless wisdom, You know us completely. As we meditate on Psalm 139, we are in awe of Your intimate knowledge of our lives, from our innermost thoughts to our daily actions. You have intricately woven us in our mother's womb, crafting each detail with divine precision and love. Help us to understand the depth of Your care and to trust in Your unfathomable knowledge. May we find comfort in Your presence, knowing that we are never hidden from Your sight. Guide us to live in the light of Your truth, embracing the unique design You have bestowed upon each of us.
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.”
Judges 2:6-15 captures a pivotal moment in the history of the Israelites. This passage describes the transition after Joshua's death, highlighting the Israelites' fluctuating commitment to God. It marks the beginning of a recurring cycle in the Book of Judges: the Israelites' faithfulness during a leader's life, followed by a lapse into idolatry and rebellion after their leader's death. This sets the stage for God's response to their disobedience, underscoring the theme of faithfulness versus rebellion in the Israelite community.2 6 After Joshua had dismissed the Israelites, they went to take possession of the land, each to their own inheritance. 7 The people served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel.
8 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten. 9 And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath Heres in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.
10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. 11 Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. 12 They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They aroused the Lord’s anger 13 because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. 14 In his anger against Israel the Lord gave them into the hands of raiders who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist. 15 Whenever Israel went out to fight, the hand of the Lord was against them to defeat them, just as he had sworn to them. They were in great distress.
Commentary
Verses 6-7 (Leadership and Obedience): The text starts with the Israelites serving the Lord during Joshua's lifetime and the elders who outlived him. This shows the positive influence of strong, faithful leadership. It highlights the importance of a leader in guiding and maintaining the community's faith.
Verses 8-10 (The Peril of Forgetting): After Joshua's generation dies, a new generation arises who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. This highlights a critical failure in passing on the faith and the history of God's deliverance to the next generation, leading to a loss of identity and purpose.
Verses 11-13 (The Cycle of Rebellion): The Israelites turn to other gods, breaking the covenant with Yahweh. This rebellion is not just a religious failure but a breach of a relationship, showing the Israelites' disregard for the God who delivered them.
Verses 14-15 (Divine Response and Consequences): God's anger leads to the Israelites' defeat and distress. This is a recurring theme in Judges: the Israelites' disobedience brings trouble, leading them to cry out to God. It reflects the consequences of turning away from God and the reality of divine justice.
In summary, Judges 2:6-15 serves as a microcosm of the entire Book of Judges. It reflects the human tendency to forget past blessings and rebel, and the divine response of justice and mercy. This passage calls for continuous remembrance of God's deeds and faithfulness as a guard against rebellion and spiritual amnesia.
In 2 Corinthians 10:1-11, Apostle Paul addresses the Corinthian church with a unique blend of gentleness and assertiveness. This passage reflects Paul's approach to spiritual leadership and his defense against accusations of weakness and hypocrisy. Paul emphasizes that his mild demeanor does not undermine his authority, but rather, it is a testament to his commitment to Christ's teachings. He contrasts the worldly view of power with the spiritual strength found in humility and the willingness to confront challenges with a Christ-like attitude.10 1 By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
7 You are judging by appearances. If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do. 8 So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. 9 I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. 10 For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.” 11 Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.
Commentary
Verses 1-2: Paul begins by appealing to the Corinthians through the meekness and gentleness of Christ. He acknowledges his physical absence and the criticism he has faced about being bold when away but timid when present. Here, Paul sets the stage for a discussion on the true nature of Christian authority and leadership, which is not about outward aggression but inner strength and commitment to Christ's teachings.
Verses 3-4: He continues by emphasizing that though they live in the world, their warfare is not waged with worldly weapons. This is a powerful reminder that the battles Christians face are spiritual, and their weapons are faith, prayer, and the Word of God, which have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Verses 5-6: Paul talks about demolishing arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. He stresses the importance of taking captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. This is a call to spiritual vigilance, ensuring that their beliefs and actions align with the teachings of Christ. It's also a commitment to discipline anyone who remains disobedient, once their obedience is fulfilled, showcasing the balance between patience and discipline in Christian leadership.
Verses 7-8: The focus shifts to those who judge by appearances. Paul asserts his authority in Christ, stating that he is not inferior to the super-apostles. He defends his authority, not for his sake but for the edification of the church, showcasing the selfless nature of true Christian leadership.
Verses 9-10: Here, Paul addresses the accusations against him—that his letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is weak, and his speaking amounts to nothing. This reflects the challenge Christian leaders often face: being misunderstood or undervalued based on worldly standards.
Verse 11: The chapter concludes with Paul cautioning the Corinthians. He assures them that what he says in letters when absent, he will be prepared to act on when present. This is not a threat but a reassurance of his consistency and integrity in both words and actions.
In summary, 2 Corinthians 10:1-11 is a powerful discourse on Christian leadership, contrasting worldly and spiritual perceptions of power. Paul illustrates that true authority in faith comes from aligning with Christ's teachings, embodying gentleness, and wielding spiritual weapons with integrity and purpose.
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 Thursday, January 11, 2024
Divine Knowledge, Human Frailty, and Spiritual Warfare
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; Judges 2:6-15; 2 Corinthians 10:1-11
Todays collection of scriptural passages offers a profound exploration of God's omniscience, the vulnerability of human nature, and the dynamics of spiritual warfare. Psalm 139 celebrates the intimate knowledge God has of us, acknowledging His presence in every aspect of our existence. Judges 2 reflects on the consequences of Israel's disobedience and the cyclical nature of human frailty and divine mercy. In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul addresses the nature of spiritual warfare, emphasizing the power of divine weapons to demolish strongholds. Together, these passages invite reflection on the depth of God's understanding, our own struggles with faithfulness, and the strength we find in spiritual resilience.
