The Daily Lectionary
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Restoration, Righteousness, and Wisdom:
A Journey from Lament to Peace
Psalm 80; Isaiah 32:9-20; James 3:17-18
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Easter 5)
Introduction
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Restoration, Righteousness, and Wisdom:
A Journey from Lament to Peace
Psalm 80; Isaiah 32:9-20; James 3:17-18
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Easter 5)
Introduction
In this spiritually enriching journey through Psalm 80, Isaiah 32:9-20, and James 3:17-18, we are invited to explore a spectrum of divine themes that range from a heartfelt lament to the attainment of peace and wisdom. Psalm 80 passionately calls out to God for restoration, a cry from the depths of despair, seeking divine intervention in times of turmoil. Isaiah 32:9-20 shifts the narrative to a prophetic vision, foretelling a transformation from complacency to a flourishing kingdom of righteousness and peace. Finally, James 3:17-18 culminates this spiritual voyage with profound insights into the nature of wisdom from above—a wisdom that is pure, peaceable, and full of mercy, sowing seeds of peace to reap a harvest of righteousness. Together, these passages form a mosaic of spiritual truths, guiding believers from the depths of plea to the heights of divine wisdom and peace.
Psalm 80 is a heartfelt supplication for divine restoration and salvation. Characterized by its recurring plea, 'Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved,' this psalm uniquely blends lamentation with hope, as the psalmist pleads with God to rescue Israel from its plight. The imagery of Israel as a vine, meticulously brought out of Egypt and planted by God, only to be ravaged and scorned by neighbors, poignantly reflects the nation's distress and divine abandonment. Yet, amid despair, the psalm resonates with faith in God's ability to save and renew. The psalmist's fervent prayers for restoration are not just a cry for help, but also a profound expression of unwavering trust in God's mercy and power to revive His people.1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
2 before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might,
and come to save us!
3 Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
4 O LORD God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears,
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
6 You make us the scorn of our neighbors;
our enemies laugh among themselves.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
8 You brought a vine out of Egypt;
you drove out the nations and planted it.
9 You cleared the ground for it;
it took deep root and filled the land.
10 The mountains were covered with its shade,
the mighty cedars with its branches;
11 it sent out its branches to the sea,
and its shoots to the River.
12 Why then have you broken down its walls,
so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?
13 The boar from the forest ravages it,
and all that move in the field feed on it.
14 Turn again, O God of hosts;
look down from heaven, and see;
have regard for this vine,
15 the stock that your right hand planted.
16 They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down;
may they perish at the rebuke of your countenance.
17 But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,
the one whom you made strong for yourself.
18 Then we will never turn back from you;
give us life, and we will call on your name.
19 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Expository Commentary
Verses 1-2: These verses introduce the psalm with a plea to the Shepherd of Israel, a title that signifies God's leadership and care. The reference to Joseph, Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh symbolizes the whole of Israel, focusing on the Northern Kingdom. The call for God to "stir up your might" is a plea for divine intervention.
Verse 3: "Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved." This refrain, repeated in verses 7 and 19, is the heart of the psalm. It's a cry for restoration and salvation, believing that God’s favor, symbolized by His shining face, is essential for their deliverance.
Verses 4-6: Here, the psalmist describes the people's distress, emphasizing that their suffering is a result of God's anger. The bread of tears and ample tears to drink are metaphors for intense suffering and despair.
Verses 8-11: The imagery of Israel as a vine is profound. God is described as having brought a vine out of Egypt (symbolizing the Exodus), planting it, and caring for it. This vine (Israel) grew and flourished under God's protection, a reference to the kingdom's expansion.
Verses 12-13: However, the wall protecting the vine has been broken down, allowing all who pass by to plunder it. This section metaphorically describes the invasions and troubles faced by Israel, left vulnerable to its enemies.
Verses 14-16: The psalmist pleads for God's return and protection. The reference to the vine, the son whom God made strong for himself, may allude to the Davidic dynasty or Israel as God's chosen people. The plea emphasizes their dependence on God for life and safety.
Verses 17-18: This passage shifts to a more individualistic plea. The "man at your right hand" could refer to the king or a collective representation of Israel. The son of man made strong by God reflects a desire for renewed strength and leadership under divine guidance.
Verse 19: The psalm concludes by repeating the refrain from verses 3 and 7. This final plea underscores the central theme of the psalm - a longing for restoration and salvation by the grace of God.
In summary, this psalm blends lament with hope, combining expressions of deep distress with unwavering faith in God’s power to save and restore. It reflects Israel’s understanding of their covenant relationship with God, acknowledging their plight while firmly believing in divine salvation.
Isaiah 32:9-20 offers a profound and stirring passage within the prophetic book of Isaiah. This section uniquely addresses women in the community, calling them to awareness and urging them to recognize the impending judgment and transformation of their society. The prophet Isaiah vividly describes the desolation that will precede a time of divine blessing. He prophesies a stark contrast between the barrenness and neglect that will mark the judgment and the fruitful abundance that characterizes the blessings of God’s spirit. The passage moves from a scene of impending disaster to a vision of restoration and peace, symbolizing the transformation that comes with righteous leadership and divine intervention. In this way, Isaiah 32:9-20 encapsulates a message of both warning and hope, emphasizing the themes of justice, renewal, and the redemptive power of God’s spirit.32 9 Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice;
you complacent daughters, listen to my speech.
10 In little more than a year
you will shudder, you complacent ones;
for the vintage will fail,
the fruit harvest will not come.
11 Tremble, you women who are at ease,
shudder, you complacent ones;
strip, and make yourselves bare,
and put sackcloth on your loins.
12 Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields,
for the fruitful vine,
13 for the soil of my people
growing up in thorns and briers;
yes, for all the joyous houses
in the jubilant city.
14 For the palace will be forsaken,
the populous city deserted;
the hill and the watchtower
will become dens forever,
the joy of wild asses,
a pasture for flocks;
15 until a spirit from on high is poured out on us,
and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field,
and the fruitful field is deemed a forest.
16 Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,
and righteousness abide in the fruitful field.
17 The effect of righteousness will be peace,
and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
18 My people will abide in a peaceful habitation,
in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
19 The forest will disappear completely,
and the city will be utterly laid low.
20 Happy will you be who sow beside every stream,
who let the ox and the donkey range freely.
Expository Commentary
Verses 9-11— A Call to Complacent Women: These verses directly address the women of Zion, symbolizing the entire community. Isaiah warns them of their complacency and security. The "days beyond a year" suggests a period just beyond the normal agricultural cycle, indicating an imminent disaster. The women are urged to tremble in fear and strip off their finery, symbolizing a removal of comforts and a call to repentance and recognition of the looming crisis.
Verse 12 — Mourning for the Fertile Fields: The imagery of mourning for the "pleasant fields" and the "fruitful vine" reflects the anticipated destruction of the land, often seen as a consequence of social injustice and disregard for divine will. This verse continues the theme of impending judgment, emphasizing the loss of agricultural prosperity.
Verses 13-14 — Desolation of Jerusalem: These verses depict the desolation of Jerusalem ("My people’s land"). The mention of thorns and briers overtaking the land signifies neglect and ruin. The imagery of the palace being abandoned and the city neglected emphasizes the complete reversal of fortunes for a once-thriving society. This desolation is a metaphor for social, moral, and spiritual decay.
Verses 15-17 — The Promise of the Spirit: A dramatic shift occurs here with the promise of the outpouring of the Spirit from on high. This spiritual transformation will lead to remarkable changes - the wilderness becoming a fertile field and justice leading to peace and quietness. The verses underscore the hope and restoration that follow divine intervention, emphasizing that true security and prosperity come from God’s spirit.
Verses 18-20 — Blessings of Righteous Rule: These final verses paint a picture of peaceful, settled life. The "peaceful habitation" and "secure dwellings" reflect a stable and just society, a stark contrast to the earlier scenes of desolation. The mention of "quiet resting places" suggests a return to a life in harmony with nature. The blessing of rain upon the seed portrays divine favor and the renewal of agricultural abundance. This concluding part of the passage highlights the benefits of righteous leadership and living in accordance with God's will, promising a return to prosperity and peace.
In summary, Isaiah 32:9-20 serves as a powerful juxtaposition of judgment and hope, warning, and promise. It starts with a stark portrayal of complacency leading to desolation but ends with a vivid depiction of the restoration and peace that follow divine intervention and righteous living. The passage underscores key themes of justice, repentance, divine mercy, and the transformative power of God's Spirit.
In James 3:17-18, the epistle shifts its focus to the nature and the implications of heavenly wisdom, a contrast to the previous discussion on the perils of an untamed tongue. These verses offer a profound insight into the characteristics of divine wisdom, delineating it as pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. The passage culminates in the metaphor of a harvest of righteousness, sown in peace by those who make peace. This text, steeped in rich pastoral advice, serves as a guiding principle for Christian conduct, emphasizing the transformative power of godly wisdom in fostering peace and righteousness within the community.3 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
Expository Commentary
James 3:17: But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.
- Wisdom from Above: This phrase sets the tone for divine wisdom, contrasting earthly wisdom which was discussed earlier in the chapter.
- First Pure: Purity is the primary attribute of heavenly wisdom. This implies not just moral purity but an undiluted focus on God's will, free from worldly influences.
- Peaceable: Divine wisdom promotes peace. It is not aggressive or confrontational, but seeks harmony and reconciliation.
- Gentle: This characteristic emphasizes meekness, not weakness. It's about strength under control, a respectful and kind approach towards others.
- Willing to Yield: This suggests a flexibility and openness to reason, as opposed to stubbornness or close-mindedness.
- Full of Mercy and Good Fruits: Here, wisdom is shown to be compassionate and result in positive actions – 'good fruits' denote tangible, beneficial outcomes of wise decisions.
James 3:18: And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
- Without a Trace of Partiality or Hypocrisy: Divine wisdom is impartial, not favoring one group over another, and it is sincere, free from pretense or deceit.
- Harvest of Righteousness: This metaphor illustrates the results or 'fruits' of actions taken in wisdom. Righteousness here can be understood as right standing with God and others.
- Sown in Peace: The image of sowing seeds in peace suggests that actions taken in a peaceful manner will yield positive results.
Overall, these verses from James paint a vivid picture of the nature of divine wisdom. It's a wisdom that is pure, peaceable, and practical, impacting both personal character and community relationships. The emphasis is on the positive outcomes that arise from living according to godly wisdom—peace, righteousness, and fruitful living.
- By Those Who Make Peace: This part emphasizes the role of the individual in fostering peace. It implies that peacemakers are active participants in creating a righteous community.
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 biblical commentaries provided here are intended for educational and spiritual enrichment purposes only. The interpretations and insights offered are based on the authors' understanding and perspective of the Bible, which may be influenced by their theological training, denominational background, and personal beliefs.
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 biblical commentaries provided here are intended for educational and spiritual enrichment purposes only. The interpretations and insights offered are based on the authors' understanding and perspective of the Bible, which may be influenced by their theological training, denominational background, and personal beliefs.
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
