The Daily Lectionary
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Monday, March 11, 2024
From Trials to Triumph
Psalm 107:1-16; Exodus 15:22-27; Hebrews 3:1-6
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Lent 4)
Introduction
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Monday, March 11, 2024
From Trials to Triumph
Psalm 107:1-16; Exodus 15:22-27; Hebrews 3:1-6
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Lent 4)
Introduction
In this thematic exploration, we delve into the transformative journey of faith as depicted in Psalm 107:1-16, Exodus 15:22-27, and Hebrews 3:1-6. These passages collectively paint a vivid picture of God's unending mercy, the trials of His people, and the ultimate triumph over adversity through steadfast faith. Psalm 107:1-16 speaks of the Lord's deliverance for those who cry out in distress, portraying a God who is ever ready to rescue His faithful from despair. In Exodus 15:22-27, we witness the Israelites' grueling journey through the wilderness, a testament to the endurance of faith even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges. Lastly, Hebrews 3:1-6 invites us to reflect on Jesus as the faithful Son over God's house, encouraging us to hold firmly to the confidence and hope in our hearts. Together, these scriptures encourage believers to trust in God's providence, reminding us that through faith, we can navigate the trials of life and emerge stronger and more resilient in our spiritual journey.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 107:1-16
God Gives Food and Light
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 107:1-16
God Gives Food and Light
Psalm 107:1-16 beautifully illustrates God's boundless mercy and His ability to provide for His people in times of distress. The Psalm opens with a call to give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and wonderful deeds for humanity. It then vividly describes various distressful situations—wandering in desert wastelands, hunger, and darkness—and how the Lord delivers from these adversities. This section of the Psalm particularly focuses on God's provision of nourishment and light, symbolizing both physical sustenance and spiritual enlightenment, underscoring the idea that God is a refuge and a provider for those who call upon Him.1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; *
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, *
those he redeemed from trouble
3 And gathered in from the lands, *
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
4 Some wandered in desert wastes, *
finding no way to an inhabited town;
5 Hungry and thirsty, *
their soul fainted within them.
6 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, *
and he delivered them from their distress;
7 He led them by a straight way, *
until they reached an inhabited town.
8 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, *
for his wonderful works to humankind.
9 For he satisfies the thirsty, *
and the hungry he fills with good things.
10 Some sat in darkness and in gloom, *
prisoners in misery and in irons,
11 For they had rebelled against the words of God, *
and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
12 Their hearts were bowed down with hard labor; *
they fell down, with no one to help.
13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, *
and he saved them from their distress;
14 He brought them out of darkness and gloom, *
and broke their bonds asunder.
15 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, *
for his wonderful works to humankind.
16 For he shatters the doors of bronze, *
and cuts in two the bars of iron.
Heavenly Father, we give You thanks as Psalm 107:1-16 reminds us of Your steadfast love and mercy. You are our light in darkness and the provider of our every need. In times when we feel lost, like wanderers in a desolate desert, You guide us back to Your path with Your shining light. When our souls hunger for truth and our hearts thirst for hope, You offer us the nourishment of Your Word. Lord, help us always to remember Your wondrous deeds and to rely on You in every circumstance. Strengthen our faith so that we may see Your guiding hand in our lives, and lead us to share Your love with others.
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 15:22-27 narrates a significant episode in the journey of the Israelites following their miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. After their triumphant escape from Egypt and experiencing the awe-inspiring parting of the sea, the Israelites, led by Moses, venture into the wilderness of Shur. This passage vividly depicts their struggle with the harsh realities of the desert, primarily their desperate search for water. The narrative reaches a crucial moment at Marah, where the waters are found to be bitter, symbolizing the challenges faced in their journey. Moses, following God's guidance, transforms the bitter waters into sweet, underscoring themes of faith, divine providence, and the testing of the Israelites' trust in God. The passage concludes with their arrival at Elim, an oasis with twelve springs and seventy palm trees, offering a stark contrast to their earlier ordeal and providing a moment of respite and reflection on their dependence on God's continual guidance and care.15 22 Then Moses ordered Israel to set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter. That is why it was called Marah. 24 And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 He cried out to the Lord; and the Lord showed him a piece of wood; he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.
There the Lord made for them a statute and an ordinance and there he put them to the test. 26 He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in his sight, and give heed to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will not bring upon you any of the diseases that I brought upon the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.”
27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees; and they camped there by the water.
Expository Commentary
Verses 22-23 — The Bitter Waters of Marah: After the Israelites left the Red Sea, Moses led them into the wilderness of Shur. They traveled for three days without finding water. When they came to Marah, they found water, but it was bitter, so they couldn't drink it. This moment represents the first test of faith and patience for the Israelites in the wilderness. Despite witnessing God's miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea, they face a new challenge that tests their trust in God.
Verse 24 — The People's Complaint: The people grumbled against Moses, asking what they were going to drink. This response illustrates a recurring theme in the Israelites' wilderness journey: their struggle to trust in God's provision. Despite the recent display of God's power, the Israelites quickly fall into despair and complaint when faced with hardship.
Verse 25 — Moses' Intercession and God's Provision: Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. Moses threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. This incident highlights two important themes: Moses' role as a mediator between God and the people, and God's willingness to provide for and heal His people. The act of making the bitter water sweet is symbolic of God's transformative power.
Verse 25 — God's Decree and Testing: This part of verse 25 is where God issued a decree and a law for the Israelites and put them to the test. This decree is not specified in the text but is indicative of the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where obedience to God's commands is central.
Verse 26 — The Promise of Healing: God promises that if the Israelites listen carefully to His voice, do what is right in His eyes, pay attention to His commands, and keep all His statutes, He will not bring upon them any of the diseases that He brought upon the Egyptians. God is identified as the healer. This verse sets the foundation for the Israelites' understanding of their relationship with God, linking obedience with blessing and divine health.
Verses 27 — The Oasis of Elim: Finally, the Israelites come to Elim, an oasis with twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. They camp there by the water. This verse contrasts with the earlier experience at Marah, providing a literal and figurative place of refreshment and rest. The numbers twelve and seventy may symbolize completeness and abundance, reflecting God's provision and care.
Overall, Exodus 15:22-27 illustrates the beginning of the Israelites' journey in the wilderness and sets the stage for the themes of testing, trust, provision, and obedience that will characterize their journey to the Promised Land.
Hebrews 3:1-6 presents a profound theological reflection on the superiority of Jesus Christ over Moses, one of the most revered figures in Jewish tradition. This passage urges the readers, addressed as “holy brothers and sisters” who share in a heavenly calling, to consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of their confession. It draws a parallel between Jesus and Moses, both servants in God's house, but emphasizes the greater glory and faithfulness of Jesus. While Moses is esteemed for his faithfulness in God's house as a servant, Jesus is venerated for being faithful as a son over God's house. This distinction elevates the significance of Jesus' role in the Christian faith, highlighting His divine sonship and the more excellent ministry he brings, surpassing the old covenant represented by Moses. This section of Hebrews thus serves as a theological cornerstone, affirming Jesus' supremacy and encouraging steadfastness in faith among believers.3 1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, holy partners in a heavenly calling, consider that Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses also “was faithful in all God’s house.” 3 Yet Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that would be spoken later. 6 Christ, however, was faithful over God’s house as a son, and we are his house if we hold firm the confidence and the pride that belong to hope.
Expository Commentary
Verse 1: This verse establishes the readers as part of a spiritual family ("brothers and sisters") and reminds them of their "heavenly calling." It introduces Jesus as both an apostle (one sent by God) and a high priest, emphasizing his roles as a messenger of God and a mediator between God and humanity.
Verse 2: Here, the author begins to draw parallels between Jesus and Moses, noting Jesus' faithfulness to God. Moses' faithfulness in managing God's household is referenced, setting up a comparison between the two.
Verses 3-4: These verses argue that Jesus is superior to Moses. While Moses is part of the "house" (meaning God's people or the religious system of the time), Jesus is the builder. The builder (or creator) of the house is more important than the house itself, indicating Jesus' divine nature and role in creation.
Verse 5: Moses is acknowledged for his faithfulness as a servant in God's house, and his role in God's plan is affirmed. He was instrumental in setting the stage for what would come later, which is the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Verse 6: This verse contrasts Moses' role as a servant with Christ's role as a Son, implying a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. It also suggests that believers are part of this "house" (the body of Christ), conditional on their faith and hope.
In summary, Hebrews 3:1-6 highlights the superiority of Jesus over Moses, illustrating the transition from the old covenant (represented by Moses) to the new (represented by Jesus). Jesus is not just a part of God's plan like Moses was; he is the central figure in God's plan, having a unique and divine relationship with the Father. This passage encourages readers to view Jesus as the ultimate authority and to remain steadfast in their faith.
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 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 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 Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 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
