The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Faith Amidst Trial and Judgment
Psalm 62:5-12; Jeremiah 19:1-15; Revelation 18:11-20
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Ordinary 3)
Introduction
with Commentary
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Faith Amidst Trial and Judgment
Psalm 62:5-12; Jeremiah 19:1-15; Revelation 18:11-20
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Ordinary 3)
Introduction
In this reflective journey through Psalm 62:5-12, Jeremiah 19:1-15, and Revelation 18:11-20, we encounter a profound exploration of faith amidst the trials and judgments of life. Psalm 62:5-12 offers a resolute declaration of trust in God's unfailing love and salvation, despite the uncertainties and adversities that may surround us. Moving to the intense imagery of Jeremiah 19:1-15, we witness a stark prophecy of judgment and the consequences of turning away from God's path, serving as a cautionary reminder of the importance of fidelity to divine guidance. Finally, in Revelation 18:11-20, the narrative shifts to a vivid portrayal of the fall of Babylon, symbolizing the eventual downfall of worldly powers and the triumph of God's eternal kingdom. Together, these passages weave a tapestry of hope, warning, and redemption, urging the reader to find solace and strength in God's enduring presence and sovereignty over all creation.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 62:5-12
Unshakable Trust in God's Steadfast Love
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 62:5-12
Unshakable Trust in God's Steadfast Love
Psalm 62:5-12 is a beautiful and profound passage that resonates with themes of trust, strength, and the unwavering love of God. In these verses, the psalmist, traditionally believed to be King David, expresses a deep sense of reliance and confidence in God, even amidst trials and uncertainties. This portion of the Psalm emphasizes the importance of finding solace and strength in God's character, rather than in worldly assurances or human power. It's a reminder that our true security and hope lie in God alone, who is our rock, our salvation, and our fortress.5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; *
My hope comes from him.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; *
He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; *
He is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people; *
Pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
9 Surely the lowborn are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie. *
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.
10 Do not trust in extortion
or put vain hope in stolen goods; *
Though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.
11 One thing God has spoken,
two things I have heard: *
“Power belongs to you, God,
12 And with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; *
And, “You reward everyone
according to what they have done.”
Heavenly Father, in the quietness of this moment, we come before You, drawing from the profound words of Psalm 62:5-12. We acknowledge, O Lord, that our souls find rest in You alone; our hope comes from You. You alone are our rock and our salvation; You are our fortress, and we shall not be shaken.
In a world that often feels tumultuous and uncertain, teach us to trust in Your steadfast love and unchanging character. Help us to pour out our hearts to You, for You are our refuge. Remind us that power belongs to You, O God, and that Your love is unfailing.
As we reflect on Your grace and mercy, may we learn to trust not in riches or human strength, but in Your providential care. Guide our hearts to find peace and joy in Your presence, knowing that You are with us always.
We thank You for Your faithfulness and for being our steadfast anchor in every storm of life. May our lives be a testament to Your enduring love and strength.
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.”
Jeremiah 19:1-15 presents a dramatic and symbolic act carried out by the Prophet Jeremiah at God’s command. This chapter vividly illustrates God’s impending judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem for their persistent sin and idolatry. Jeremiah is instructed to purchase a clay jar and then break it in the Valley of Ben Hinnom in the presence of the elders and priests of Judah. This act symbolizes the severity and irreversibility of the divine judgment that is to befall the people due to their unfaithfulness.19 1 This is what the Lord says: “Go and buy a clay jar from a potter. Take along some of the elders of the people and of the priests 2 and go out to the Valley of Ben Hinnom, near the entrance of the Potsherd Gate. There proclaim the words I tell you, 3 and say, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, you kings of Judah and people of Jerusalem. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Listen! I am going to bring a disaster on this place that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle. 4 For they have forsaken me and made this a place of foreign gods; they have burned incense in it to gods that neither they nor their ancestors nor the kings of Judah ever knew, and they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent. 5 They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind. 6 So beware, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when people will no longer call this place Topheth or the Valley of Ben Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter.
7 “‘In this place I will ruin the plans of Judah and Jerusalem. I will make them fall by the sword before their enemies, at the hands of those who want to kill them, and I will give their carcasses as food to the birds and the wild animals. 8 I will devastate this city and make it an object of horror and scorn; all who pass by will be appalled and will scoff because of all its wounds. 9 I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and daughters, and they will eat one another’s flesh because their enemies will press the siege so hard against them to destroy them.’
10 “Then break the jar while those who go with you are watching, 11 and say to them, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I will smash this nation and this city just as this potter’s jar is smashed and cannot be repaired. They will bury the dead in Topheth until there is no more room. 12 This is what I will do to this place and to those who live here, declares the Lord. I will make this city like Topheth. 13 The houses in Jerusalem and those of the kings of Judah will be defiled like this place, Topheth—all the houses where they burned incense on the roofs to all the starry hosts and poured out drink offerings to other gods.’”
14 Jeremiah then returned from Topheth, where the Lord had sent him to prophesy, and stood in the court of the Lord’s temple and said to all the people, 15 “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Listen! I am going to bring on this city and all the villages around it every disaster I pronounced against them, because they were stiff-necked and would not listen to my words.’”
Commentary
The Symbolic Act (Verses 1-2): Jeremiah’s journey to the potter's house to buy a clay jar and then to the Valley of Ben Hinnom is symbolic. The location, often associated with pagan sacrifices, including child sacrifices, represents the depth of the nation's sin.
The Pronouncement of Judgment (Verses 3-9): God’s message through Jeremiah is clear and severe. He speaks of the catastrophic consequences of their actions, including siege, famine, and cannibalism, all results of their disregard for the covenant with God. This passage emphasizes the righteousness and justice of God, who cannot tolerate such flagrant disobedience and idolatry.
The Breaking of the Jar (Verses 10-11): The shattering of the clay jar is a powerful visual aid. Just as the jar cannot be remade once broken, so too will God shatter the nation of Judah beyond repair. This act signifies the irrevocable nature of God's judgment, underscoring the severity of the sin and the certainty of its consequences.
The Extension of the Judgment (Verses 12-13): The judgment is not limited to the Valley of Ben Hinnom but extends to Jerusalem itself, signifying that the city, once considered the center of God's presence, will face the wrath due to its idolatry and moral corruption.
The Prophet’s Return to the Temple (Verse 14-15): Jeremiah’s return to the temple to deliver God's message symbolizes the prophet's role as a messenger of divine judgment. The temple, the heart of Jewish religious life, is not exempt from God's judgment, emphasizing that no one is beyond the reach of God’s justice.
In conclusion, Jeremiah 19:1-15 serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. It underlines the holiness and justice of God and serves as a warning against the dangers of idolatry and moral decay. The chapter, though set in a specific historical context, resonates with the timeless truth of the need for faithfulness to God's commands.
In Revelation 18:11-20, we are presented with a vivid depiction of the fall of Babylon, symbolizing the demise of a corrupt and materialistic society. This passage is part of the broader narrative in the Book of Revelation, where Babylon is used metaphorically to represent the epitome of worldly excess, immorality, and opposition to God. The merchants of the earth, who grew wealthy from her excessive luxuries, mourn her sudden destruction. The text serves as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of earthly wealth and the ultimate judgment of God upon corrupt systems and those who partake in them.18 11 “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.
14 “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ 15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16 and cry out:
“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet,
and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’
“Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. 18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out:
“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
where all who had ships on the sea
became rich through her wealth!
In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’
20 “Rejoice over her, you heavens!
Rejoice, you people of God!
Rejoice, apostles and prophets!
For God has judged her
with the judgment she imposed on you.”
Commentary
Verses 11-13: The lamentation of the merchants is striking. They weep and mourn, not out of any moral realization of Babylon's evils, but because their source of wealth is gone. The long list of traded goods, including precious stones, fine linen, and even human lives, underscores the depth of Babylon's materialistic depravity.
Verse 14: This verse poignantly notes that the luxuries and splendors of Babylon are gone forever. It's a stark reminder of the fleeting nature of material wealth and the emptiness of placing one's hope in such transience.
Verses 15-17a: The merchants, who kept their distance for fear of sharing Babylon’s fate, stand aghast at her rapid fall. Their primary concern is their own loss, revealing a self-centered mindset that is blind to the moral and spiritual bankruptcy of Babylon.
Verse 17b: The emphasis on the short time (in one hour) in which such great wealth has been brought to ruin highlights the suddenness and unpredictability of divine judgment.
Verses 18-19: The scene shifts to the shipmasters and sailors, who also mourn Babylon's fall. Their distant view from the sea symbolizes their prior complicity and benefit from her luxuries, and now they are witnesses to her total destruction.
Verse 20: Contrasting the lamentation of the merchants and seafarers, this verse calls for rejoicing in heaven and among God’s people. It's a profound reminder that God's justice prevails and that what is mourned by the world can be a cause of joy for those who seek righteousness.
In sum, Revelation 18:11-20 serves as a powerful allegory warning against the seductions of materialism and the inevitable judgment that befalls a society steeped in corruption and moral decay. It reminds the faithful to seek treasures not in the world, but in the righteousness and justice of God.
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 18, 2024
Faith Amidst Trial and Judgment
Psalm 62:5-12; Jeremiah 19:1-15; Revelation 18:11-20
In this reflective journey through today's readings, we encounter a profound exploration of faith amidst the trials and judgments of life. Our Psalm reading offers a resolute declaration of trust in God's unfailing love and salvation, despite the uncertainties and adversities that may surround us. Moving to the intense imagery of our reading in Jeremiah, we witness a stark prophecy of judgment and the consequences of turning away from God's path, serving as a cautionary reminder of the importance of fidelity to divine guidance. Finally, in our reading in Revelation, the narrative shifts to a vivid portrayal of the fall of Babylon, symbolizing the eventual downfall of worldly powers and the triumph of God's eternal kingdom. Together, these passages weave a tapestry of hope, warning, and redemption, urging the reader to find solace and strength in God's enduring presence and sovereignty over all creation.
