Other comments on this day's readings can be found here.
Reading 1 - Deu 2:15
"The LORD'S hand was against them until he had completely
eliminated them from the camp" (Deu 2:15).
This was the "pruning" (which is the meaning of "Zered": cp v
13) of the murmurers over 38 years. "His power was exerted in a way of wrath and
vengeance on them, for their murmurings at the report of the spies; and
therefore, it is no wonder they were consumed, for strong is His hand, and high
is His right hand; and when lifted up it falls heavy, and there is no standing
up under it, or against it: it smote them with one disease or another, or
brought one judgment or another upon them: as the sword of Amalek, by which many
were cut off, and the plague at Shittim in the plains of Moab, in which died
24,000; besides the destruction of Korah and his company, which was quickly
after the affair of the spies, and the plague at that time, of which died
14,700; and thus, by one stroke after another, he went on to destroy them from
among the host until they were consumed, even all of them but two" (John
Gill).
Reading 2 - Pro 29:20
"Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for
a fool than for him" (Pro 29:20).
"We can bring ourselves into line if we frequently raise the
question: what is our aim in speaking? Speech may be with the object of giving
instruction, or putting questions to receive instruction, or it may be in the
ordinary amenities of social life. We can think of nothing else unless it is
mere self-expression, a talk for the love of talking. Where is there room for
any ill-feeling to be expressed in any of these opportunities for speech? In the
ordinary amenities of life there is surely every reason for good feelings which
may be revealed freely with only good effects. If anyone is so unfortunate as to
find ill-feeling at home, then a desperate effort should be made to avoid any
aggravation of it. Words provocative of anger are always out of place in the
home, but they are especially to be deprecated when such provocation has already
begun. If a little fire started in a dry corner of the house, no man would be
fool enough to throw petrol on it. It is strange that men should often be so
ready to feed that more terrible flame, which, as the apostle James says, is set
on fire of hell. Homes have been wrecked and lives made sad by the folly of
hasty and ill-tempered speech. It is perfectly true, as the wise man says, that
there is more hope for a fool than for a man who is hasty in his words" (Islip
Collyer, "Principles and Proverbs").
Reading 3 - John 12:8
"You will always have the poor among you, but you will not
always have me" (John 12:8).
It has been said: "Since Jesus said, 'The poor you have with
you always' (John 12:8), and we cannot change the world, why should we bother
trying?". But Jesus did not say, "Forget the poor because they are always
there." He said, in effect, "You will always have opportunities to help the
poor." When Jesus was present, his followers lavished gifts upon him, and they
did well. But now that he is absent, we may forget that we can give gifts to
Jesus just as well by helping his poor brethren. Who would ignore the needs of
the Master? But now he sits at the right hand of God, and he no longer needs the
cup of cold water, the food, the clothing. But someone else -- who bears his
holy name, or might -- does!