Thirteenth Sunday After Trinity (B C P). Series

Psalm 74:19-23, Leviticus 19:13-18, Galatians 3:16-22, Hebrews 13:1-6, Luke 10:23-37.

A). A PLEA FOR RELIEF.

Psalm 74:19-23.

The Psalmist is addressing the LORD when he says, “O deliver not the soul of THY turtledove unto the multitude” (PSALM 74:19a). The soul of a believer is compared to a turtledove. Jesus addresses the Church as ‘MY dove’ in Song of Songs 2:14.

Doves were kept as pets in the Ancient Near East. They are gentle in nature, and their presence soothes those who keep them. Jesus describes them as ‘harmless’ (cf. Matthew 10:16). Spiritually, they have come to symbolise peace.

“The multitude” are understood as ‘the wicked that oppress me, my deadly enemies that compass me about’ (cf. Psalm 17:9).

The Psalmist continues, “forget not the congregation of THY poor for ever” (PSALM 74:19b). Of course, we know that the LORD will not “forget” us, and certainly not “for ever.” He WILL have mercy upon His afflicted, and WILL NOT forget Zion (cf. Isaiah 49:13-16).

“Have respect unto the covenant” (PSALM 74:20a). The LORD has made certain promises to His covenant people. That being so, His people must also recall that they, too, have certain responsibilities.

The reason for reminding the LORD of His covenant (as if He would ever forget it) is “for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty” (PSALM 74:20b).

“Dark places” stands for the world of the ungodly. “Habitations of cruelty” could speak of the places where cruel people live; but it could also represent harsh, cruel prison camps!

“O let not the oppressed return ashamed” (PSALM 74:21a). The idea of being “oppressed” is literally to be “crushed” (cf. Psalm 9:9; Psalm 10:18).

Jesus went to the garden named ‘Gethsemane’ (meaning ‘oil press’), and He ‘began to be sorrowful and very heavy’ and declared, ‘My heart is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death’ (cf. Matthew 26:37-38). The intensity of His suffering was such that ‘His blood was as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground’ (cf. Luke 22:44).

Rather than that “the poor and needy” should return from the throne of grace “ashamed,” without an answer to their prayer, may they have reason to “praise thy name” (PSALM 74:21b; cf. Revelation 19:1).

“Arise, O God, plead thine own cause” (PSALM 74:22a). After all, the church’s cause is the LORD’s own cause.

“Remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily” (PSALM 74:22b; cf. Psalm 74:10; Psalm 74:18).

“Forget not the voice of thine enemies” (PSALM 74:23a; cf. Psalm 74:4).

“The tumult of those that rise up against you increaseth continually” (PSALM 74:23b). The cry of their sin goes up to God continually (cf. Genesis 4:10; Genesis 18:20-21; Exodus 3:9; 2 Kings 19:28; Jonah 1:2; Revelation 18:5).

Thus the Psalm ends, with the Psalmist leaving the matter in the LORD’s capable hands. After all, the Psalmist’s plea is made on behalf of the LORD’s church (PSALM 74:19), the LORD’s own cause (PSALM 74:22); and that His people may have reason to “praise thy name” (PSALM 74:21). As they surely will.

B). NEIGHBOURS.

Leviticus 19:13-18.

This section deals with certain ethical matters, framed for the economic, social, judicial, and neighbourly aspects of daily living. The refrain throughout is “I am the LORD,” or “I am the LORD your God.” A holy walk with God is best seen in our attitudes to others.

1. Economics (Leviticus 19:13).

In a society where wages were paid daily (cf. Matthew 20:2), with a possible ‘national minimum wage’ which would provide a daily meal for a worker and his family, withholding wages overnight could be disastrous for the labourer. Interestingly here, the employee is to be reckoned as a “neighbour” by the employer (LEVITICUS 19:13). Such consideration would radicalise many a workplace today.

2. Social (Leviticus 19:14).

There is a duty of care outlined in LEVITICUS 19:14 - “Do not curse the deaf (who cannot hear what you are saying); and do not put a stumbling block in front of the blind.” I wonder if there is a deeper meaning here on the positive - or even spiritual - side, too: something along the lines of ‘open your mouth for the dumb’ (cf. Proverbs 31:8)? Help the deaf comprehend, assist the blind in the way, perhaps?

3. Justice (Leviticus 19:15-16).

In the first instance, those who sit in judgment are given certain clear standards. It applies to all eras, and all jurisdictions: no partiality, one way or the other (LEVITICUS 19:15). Then there are those who fancy themselves as both judge and jury, announcing that ‘hanging is too good for that one!’ – this is to “stand against the blood of your neighbour” (LEVITICUS 19:16).

4. Neighbours (Leviticus 19:17-18).

Not to rebuke a neighbour (where appropriate) is to be complicit in his sin, and is in fact an act of hatred. Vengeance belongs to God (cf. Romans 12:19), and a grudge is soul-destroying (to you if not to the neighbour!)