The Daily Lectionary
with Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Friday, February 2, 2024
Divine Majesty and Human Devotion
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; Job 36:1-23; 1 Corinthians 9:1-16
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Ordinary 5)
Introduction
with Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Friday, February 2, 2024
Divine Majesty and Human Devotion
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; Job 36:1-23; 1 Corinthians 9:1-16
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Ordinary 5)
Introduction
This selection of scriptures from Psalm 147:1-11, 20c, Job 36:1-23, and 1 Corinthians 9:1-16 explores the grandeur of God's creation, the wisdom of His justice, and the path of faithful service. Psalm 147 exalts the Lord for His power and benevolence, urging the faithful to sing praises for His mighty deeds and tender care for the humble. In Job 36, Elihu speaks of God's greatness and incomprehensible justice, reminding us of our limited understanding compared to the divine. Meanwhile, 1 Corinthians 9 delves into the apostle Paul's rights and sacrifices as a preacher of the gospel, highlighting the dedication required to spread the word of God effectively. Together, these passages invite reflection on the magnificence of the Creator, the proper response to divine wisdom, and the call to devoted service in spreading His word.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
Harmony of Praise and Providence
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
Harmony of Praise and Providence
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c is a resounding hymn of praise, reflecting on the immense power and loving care of God. It invites believers to celebrate God's majesty, as it touches on His creation, understanding, and compassion. The Psalm emphasizes the joy found in worship and the blessings that come from fearing the Lord and hoping in His unfailing love. It is a profound reminder of the Lord's pleasure in those who respect Him and the peace He provides to His chosen ones.1 Praise the Lord.
How good it is to sing praises to our God, *
How pleasant and fitting to praise him!
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem; *
He gathers the exiles of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted *
And binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars *
And calls them each by name.
5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; *
His understanding has no limit.
6 The Lord sustains the humble *
But casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; *
Make music to our God on the harp.
8 He covers the sky with clouds; *
He supplies the earth with rain
and makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He provides food for the cattle *
And for the young ravens when they call.
10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, *
Nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
11 The Lord delights in those who fear him, *
Who put their hope in his unfailing love.
20c Praise the Lord.
Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of praise, for it is good to sing praises to our God; it is pleasant and fitting to praise You. Lord, You rebuild Jerusalem and gather the exiles of Israel. You heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds. Your understanding is beyond measure.
Mighty God, You sustain the humble but cast the wicked to the ground. We sing to You with thanksgiving and make music with the harp to our God. You cover the sky with clouds and supply the earth with rain, making grass grow on the hills. You provide for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.
Lord, Your delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor Your pleasure in the legs of the warrior; but You take pleasure in those who fear You, in those who hope in Your unfailing love.
God of all nations, You grant Your word to Jacob, Your statutes and judgments to Israel. You have done this for no other nation; they do not know Your laws.
In humility and awe, we stand before You, grateful for Your love and mercy. May our hope always be in Your unfailing love, and our lives a testament to Your grace.
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.”
In Job 36:1-23, Elihu continues his discourse, emphasizing God's greatness and justice. This passage is part of the dialogue between Job and his friends, where they try to understand the suffering he's experiencing. Elihu asserts that God's ways are perfect and beyond human understanding. He urges Job to consider God's might and righteousness, arguing that God uses suffering for discipline and that He is beyond reproach in His dealings with humankind.36 1 Elihu continued:
2 “Bear with me a little longer and I will show you
that there is more to be said in God’s behalf.
3 I get my knowledge from afar;
I will ascribe justice to my Maker.
4 Be assured that my words are not false;
one who has perfect knowledge is with you.
5 “God is mighty, but despises no one;
he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.
6 He does not keep the wicked alive
but gives the afflicted their rights.
7 He does not take his eyes off the righteous;
he enthrones them with kings
and exalts them forever.
8 But if people are bound in chains,
held fast by cords of affliction,
9 he tells them what they have done—
that they have sinned arrogantly.
10 He makes them listen to correction
and commands them to repent of their evil.
11 If they obey and serve him,
they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity
and their years in contentment.
12 But if they do not listen,
they will perish by the sword
and die without knowledge.
13 “The godless in heart harbor resentment;
even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help.
14 They die in their youth,
among male prostitutes of the shrines.
15 But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering;
he speaks to them in their affliction.
16 “He is wooing you from the jaws of distress
to a spacious place free from restriction,
to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.
17 But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked;
judgment and justice have taken hold of you.
18 Be careful that no one entices you by riches;
do not let a large bribe turn you aside.
19 Would your wealth or even all your mighty efforts
sustain you so you would not be in distress?
20 Do not long for the night,
to drag people away from their homes.
21 Beware of turning to evil,
which you seem to prefer to affliction.
22 “God is exalted in his power.
Who is a teacher like him?
23 Who has prescribed his ways for him,
or said to him, ‘You have done wrong’?
Expository Commentary
Elihu, as a younger and later speaker in the conversations with Job, positions himself with a unique perspective. He does not accuse Job of specific sins as the others have but instead focuses on the greatness of God and the moral order He upholds.Verses 1-4: Elihu asks for Job's attention, asserting his knowledge comes from afar and is true to God's nature.
Verses 5-12: Here, Elihu portrays God as mighty yet just and caring. He suggests that God does not despise any of his creations, a direct contrast to what Job's suffering might imply. He expounds on the idea that God uses suffering for correction. If the righteous heed this correction, they will continue to live and prosper; if they ignore it, they perish.
Verses 13-15: Elihu argues that the godless in heart harbor resentment, even during divine chastisement. Unlike them, those who serve God will see their affliction as a means to an end - a deliverance and a call to repentance.
Verses 16-21: These verses serve as a warning and an encouragement to Job. Elihu suggests that Job's suffering is an opportunity to be led away from the pitfalls of sin and into a spacious, unconfined life. Yet, he warns Job against turning to evil, which will only lead to further suffering.
Verses 22-23: Elihu concludes with a declaration of God's greatness. He asserts that no one can teach or judge God. His ways are perfect, and He is beyond human comprehension. This is a direct challenge to Job's earlier assertions and questions about God's justice.
In these verses, Elihu presents a theology that sees God's actions as just and purposeful, aimed at maintaining moral order and instructing the righteous. While he does not fully explain the reason behind Job's suffering, he urges Job to trust in God's ultimate goodness and incomprehensible wisdom. Elihu's words intend to shift the focus from Job's personal plight to the broader understanding of God's sovereign and moral governance of the world.
1 Corinthians 9:1-16, penned by the Apostle Paul, addresses the rights and privileges that accompany apostolic ministry. Paul, in this passage, articulates his freedom and rights as an apostle, yet he also expounds on his choice to forgo certain entitlements for the sake of the Gospel. This passage highlights the delicate balance between rights and responsibilities in Christian ministry, emphasizing the primacy of the Gospel over personal benefits.9 1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? 2 Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
3 This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. 4 Don’t we have the right to food and drink? 5 Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? 6 Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right to not work for a living?
7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? 8 Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?
But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
13 Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
15 But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast. 16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
Expository Commentary
Verses 1-2: Paul begins by affirming his apostolic authority, referencing his encounter with the risen Christ and his work among the Corinthians as evidence of his calling. He asserts his legitimacy as an apostle, grounding it not in human endorsement but in divine appointment and the transformative impact of his ministry.
Verses 3-6: Paul then addresses criticisms regarding his apostolic rights. He specifically mentions the right to material support and to be accompanied by a believing spouse. His rhetorical questions imply that denying such rights would be unreasonable, establishing that those who serve in spiritual matters have a right to temporal support.
Verses 7-12a: Using everyday examples from soldiers, vineyard keepers, and shepherds, Paul argues that it is natural and customary for workers to benefit from their labor. He applies this principle to those who work in the ministry, suggesting that they deserve support for their spiritual work.
Verses 12b-14: Despite his rights, Paul reveals that he has chosen not to use them to avoid hindering the Gospel. He underscores the principle that those who proclaim the Gospel should receive their living from the Gospel, but he personally refrains to prevent any obstacles to its acceptance.
Verses 15-16: Paul clarifies that he is not writing to secure financial support for himself. He emphasizes that preaching the Gospel is not a matter of boasting for him, but a compulsion; he is driven by a divine mandate. Paul’s willingness to preach without compensation demonstrates his ultimate commitment to the Gospel above personal gain.
In conclusion, 1 Corinthians 9:1-16 masterfully balances the recognition of legitimate rights of those in ministry with the voluntary surrender of those rights for the sake of the Gospel’s advance. Paul models a selfless approach to ministry, prioritizing the spiritual over the material, and the mission over personal entitlements. This passage challenges contemporary readers to consider how personal rights and freedoms are exercised in service to the Gospel and the well-being of others.
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, aided by ChatGPT.
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 Friday, February 2, 2024
Divine Majesty and Human Devotion
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; Job 36:1-23; 1 Corinthians 9:1-16
Today's scripture readings delve into the majesty of God's creation, the depth of His just ways, and the journey of dedicated service. The Psalm highlights God's strength and kindness, encouraging believers to praise His great works and compassion towards the meek. In Job, Elihu emphasizes God's vast greatness and unfathomable justice, pointing to our modest understanding in the face of the Almighty. The excerpt from 1 Corinthians discusses Paul's rights and his voluntary sacrifices as a messenger of the gospel, underscoring the commitment needed to effectively disseminate God's teachings. These texts collectively prompt contemplation on God's splendor, the appropriate reaction to His wise decrees, and the dedication required to share His teachings.
