Proper 20 / Pentecost 18 / OT 25
Devotional
Water From the Well
Lectionary Devotional For Cycle A
Object:
They asked, and he brought quails, and gave them food from heaven in abundance.
-- Psalm 105:40
This is the fourth use of this psalm in recent weeks. See also Propers 12, 14, and 17 (Ordinary Time 17, 19, and 22). All call our attention to verses 1-6 and verse 45 that emphasized the importance of the praise of God in worship. This reading also emphasized God's various ways of providing for the people with both the necessities and recompense for past suffering. The psalmist recalled the moment of Israel's departure from Egypt when the Egyptian people were so anxious to be rid of them that they gave them silver, gold, and clothing for their journey (Exodus 12:35-36). This may have been the first demand by former slaves for reparation for the work they had been forced to do. The psalmist then celebrated God's protecting and providing for the Israelites in the wilderness journey. God could not be defeated by the army of the Egyptians or by the deprivation in the desert in fulfilling God's promise to their ancestor Abraham so long ago. God further provided for this people by giving "them the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the wealth of the peoples...." All of this is a celebration of the mystery of God's generosity on behalf of this people.
One may wonder why this people was blessed at the expense of other peoples but no explanation is given. The psalm might provide a helpful context for reflecting on the unexplained favor that has been showered on America. Certainly we have been blessed with far more benefits than most people in the world, and it has often come at the expense of other nations and people. While the psalmist does not attempt to explain this anomaly in history, it was clear that Israel had a clear responsibility in light of this reality. This has been done so "that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws." How might this be applied to our own responsibilities in light of our blessings?
-- Psalm 105:40
This is the fourth use of this psalm in recent weeks. See also Propers 12, 14, and 17 (Ordinary Time 17, 19, and 22). All call our attention to verses 1-6 and verse 45 that emphasized the importance of the praise of God in worship. This reading also emphasized God's various ways of providing for the people with both the necessities and recompense for past suffering. The psalmist recalled the moment of Israel's departure from Egypt when the Egyptian people were so anxious to be rid of them that they gave them silver, gold, and clothing for their journey (Exodus 12:35-36). This may have been the first demand by former slaves for reparation for the work they had been forced to do. The psalmist then celebrated God's protecting and providing for the Israelites in the wilderness journey. God could not be defeated by the army of the Egyptians or by the deprivation in the desert in fulfilling God's promise to their ancestor Abraham so long ago. God further provided for this people by giving "them the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the wealth of the peoples...." All of this is a celebration of the mystery of God's generosity on behalf of this people.
One may wonder why this people was blessed at the expense of other peoples but no explanation is given. The psalm might provide a helpful context for reflecting on the unexplained favor that has been showered on America. Certainly we have been blessed with far more benefits than most people in the world, and it has often come at the expense of other nations and people. While the psalmist does not attempt to explain this anomaly in history, it was clear that Israel had a clear responsibility in light of this reality. This has been done so "that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws." How might this be applied to our own responsibilities in light of our blessings?
