BCP Daily Office Lectionary for Wednesday, Dec. 22 http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/index.htm |
PCUSA Book of Worship |
Morning Psalm(s): AM Psalm 72 Evening Psalm(s): PM Psalm 111, 113 Old Testament: Isa. 28:9-22 Epistle: Rev. 21:9-21 Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 |
Psalm 50:1-23 Psalm 53:1-6 Isaiah 31:1-9 Revelation 21:22-22:5 Luke 1:39-48a (48b-56) |
Presbyterian Readings with Biblical Text for the Current Day: |
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Isaiah, chapter twenty-eight has oracles against religious leaders, who appear to mock the prophet in verses nine and ten. “‘Who does he think he is,’ they say, ‘treating us like little children?’” (John Oswalt, The NIV Application Commentary)
Whom will he teach knowledge,
and to whom will he explain the message?
Those who are weaned from milk,
those taken from the breast? (Isa. 28:9 NRSV)
Some see verse 10 as “meaningless babble . . . or baby talk,” but “the NIV [and the NRSV as well] is based on the idea that tsaw is a shortened form of mitswah, ‘commandment,’ and qaw is the word for ‘measuring line’ or rule (see v. 17)” (Oswalt):
For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept (tsaw latsaw, tsaw latsaw),
line upon line, line upon line (qaw laqaw, qaw laqaw),
here a little, there a little (ze‘er sham, ze‘er sham). (Isa. 28:10 NRSV)
In response, the prophet says “that since this [repetitive simplicity for children] is what they think they are getting, it is exactly what they will get, only from other lips than his” (Oswalt). They will learn the hard way, when the Assyrians fulfill the prophet’s predictions. Verse thirteen repeats verse 10, “Therefore the word of the LORD will be to them, ‘Precept upon precept . . .’/in order that they may go, and fall backward,/and be broken, and snared, and taken.”
Isaiah then addresses the “scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem” (v. 14). The “covenant with death” (v. 15) is probably “a reference to an alliance with Egypt” against Assyria (Oswalt). “It is also possible that this refers to the Canaanite god Mot, “Death,” suggesting that the leaders have entered into some sort of a contract with Death to protect them from his scourge” (Oswalt, in a footnote). They believe they will be spared “when the overwhelming scourge passes through,” that is, the Assyrian army, and say (with ironic words put in their mouth by the prophet):
for we have made lies our refuge,
and in falsehood we have taken shelter. (Isa. 28 15e, f NRSV)
They should be trusting in the Lord.
John’s description of the New Jerusalem continues. “He . . . showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God” (Rev. 22:10). The city has “the glory of God and a radiance like a very rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal” (v. 11). The city’s twelve gates (vv. 12-13) are pearls (v. 21), and the city’s walls have twelve foundations (v. 14), each adorned with a different precious jewel (vv. 19-20); and “the street of the city is pure gold” (v. 21). “The city is represented as being a cube, symbol of perfection; its beauty and magnificence are suggested by the precious stones (Ex. 28:17-21)” (Bruce M. Metzger, NOAB).
The reading from Luke presents the Annunciation: the angel Gabriel visits Mary and announces the coming events, her conception (v. 31), when “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (v. 35), and the birth of Jesus (v. 31). “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David” (v. 32). Gabriel also tells Mary of Elizabeth’s good news, that she will give birth to a son (v. 37). Mary’s response is, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word” (v. 38). We would all do well to respond to the Lord’s callings and promptings as Mary did on this occasion.
Ronald D. Worden, Ph.D.