January 26th One Year Bible Readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Exodus 2:11-3:22 ~ Matthew 17:10-27
Psalm 22:1-18 ~ Proverbs 5:7-14

Old Testament - Well, I debated posting up this water color of Moses killing the Egyptian from chapter 2 today, but the image probably captures things accurately enough.  We cannot hide from some of the things in the Bible that are not squeaky clean & perfect.  The Bible is not always squeaky clean & perfect in terms of the behaviors of people in the Bible.  Life is not always squeaky clean & perfect.  However God will ultimately make us squeaky clean & perfect - forever.  And in this life God can even redeem Moses after this act:

Please do read up more on this act of Moses' in chapter 2 at bible.org at this link.  At this link you'll see this line: "We dare not seek to defend Moses in the murder of the Egyptian, no matter how cruel he may have been. Moses’ act was in defiance of the authority of Egypt, and it was premeditated murder (“he looked this way and that,” v. 12). While Moses’ method of dealing with this problem was wrong, we can see that his motivation was commendable. Moses sought to defend the oppressed. When he sought to rebuke his Hebrew brother for wrongly mistreating another Hebrew (v. 13), Moses revealed, once again, the disposition of a deliverer."  Moses was 40 years old when he killed the Egyptian.  Moses then escapes to Midian - an area on the eastern side of the Red Sea that was very dry and desolate.  Moses ends up living in Midian for 40 years:

In Chapter 3 today God speaks to Moses through the burning bush!  What I love about this is in verse 4: "When the LORD saw that he had caught Moses' attention..." It seems like Moses probably could have seen this burning bush - and kept going.  He could have somehow walked on by - maybe because he had to get the flocks back home or he was late for dinner or who knows what.  He could have missed the adventure and the calling of his life.  But he doesn't.  He stops.  He investigates.  He has a conversation with God.  God caught his attention.  And I wonder in our lives today, is God trying to catch our attention?  Is God trying to tell us something important?  And are we just passing God by - or will we stop and investigate and have a conversation with God?

Exodus 3:14 is a biggee in today's readings as Moses asks God who he should tell the Hebrews who sent him: "God replied, "I AM WHO I AM. Just tell them, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" I AM WHO I AM  translates into Yahweh in Hebrew.  I read a great little commentary that said when God speaks of himself, he says "I AM".  When we speak of God we should say "He is."  I like that.  He is.  I actually heard a sermon recently about the unchanging nature of God.  He is omniscient.  Omni-present.  Eternal.  He is wisdom.  He cannot learn anything, because He knows everything.  He is.  The Hebrew letters yud, hey, vav, hey (below) -- often depicted in English as YHWH or Yahweh -- spell the ineffable name of God:

Another powerful thing to note is that Jesus uses this same phrase of I AM and nearly gets stoned to death for sharing this truth in the Gospel of John chapter 8 verses 58 & 59: "“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds."  Do you believe that Jesus is? So - when God says I AM! - what is our response?  He is!  :)  I like that.   He is.  A great commentary on the Burning Bush & I AM in Exodus chapter 3 is at bible.org at this link.

New Testament - Today in Matthew chapter 17 verse 20 stood out to me: ""You didn't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I assure you, even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, `Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.""  As I think about this verse, I wonder about my own faith.  How much faith do I really have?  Do I have enough faith in Jesus?  And in all of God's promises?  Or - am I hedging my bets?  Do I also place a lot of faith in my own power?  My own skills?  My own "smarts"?   Do I truly have complete faith in Jesus and Jesus alone?  If so, and if it was Jesus' will, do I believe that I could move mountains?  Could you?   I don't think that this idea of not having enough faith means that I need to "try harder" in any way.  I think it means I simply need to depend more - rest more - relax more - give more - to Jesus.  Trust in Jesus.  Trust that his grace is enough...  As a great Jeremy Camp song goes - "All of you is more than Enough, for all of me."  Is Jesus more than enough for you?

Verses 25 & 26 are awesome as Peter is about to ask Jesus about the Temple Tax: "But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, "What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the foreigners they have conquered?" "They tax the foreigners," Peter replied. "Well, then," Jesus said, "the citizens are free!""  Here we see that Jesus is recognizing himself as the King - and his disciples are his citizens who should not have to pay the tax.  But - as to not offend those who did not realize that Jesus was the King, Jesus tells Peter where to find a coin, in the fish's mouth, to pay the tax. 

Psalms - Psalm 22 is an amazing Psalm!  This Psalm is the most quoted Psalm in the New Testament.  Re-read this Psalm again and see if you see parallels to Jesus' crucifixion?  There are a lot in this Psalm.   I'll list a few - Psalm 22:1a was quoted by Jesus on the cross - "My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me?"  As we see in Matthew 27:46 - "About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”–which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 

Psalm 22 Verse 8: ""Is this the one who relies on the LORD? Then let the LORD save him! If the LORD loves him so much, let the LORD rescue him!"" We see in similar fashion in Matthew 27:42-43: "“He saved others,” they said, “but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”

Psalm 22 verses 16 & 17 make me want to cry... "They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count every bone in my body." The piercing of the hands and feet of Jesus are apparent with how the crucifixion took place.  And these Psalm 22 verses are similar to John 19:33-37: "But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”"

And Psalms verse 18: "They divide my clothes among themselves and throw dice for my garments." Compare to John 19:23-24 - "When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. “Let's not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let's decide by lot who will get it.”"

Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 5 verses 12-14 are some sad verses to imagine saying in our lives: ""How I hated discipline! If only I had not demanded my own way! Oh, why didn't I listen to my teachers? Why didn't I pay attention to those who gave me instruction? I have come to the brink of utter ruin, and now I must face public disgrace.""  Do you love or hate discipline?  Do you demand your own way?  Are you listening to your teachers today?  Who are your teachers today?  Who is disciplining you?  For Whom will you not demand your own way?

Worship God:  Based on Psalm 22's look at what Jesus endured for us, it seems like a great time to share with you this awesome live video of "Jesus Paid It All" led by Kristian Stanfill.  This is a great worship song!  And the last half I particularly love when the whole crowd is worshiping: "Oh praise the One who paid my debt, and raised this life up from the dead. Jesus!"

Do you believe that Jesus Paid It All for you?  Click here and receive payment on your debt!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11 NIV

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  I realize that reading Psalm 22 and seeing some of the images I posted up can evoke a lot of emotions.  I am wondering, how often do you meditate upon Jesus' passion and death?  Do you do this just around Good Friday / Resurrection Sunday each year?  Or more often?  How do you meditate upon the Lord's passion and death?  Are passion plays, movies, or books helpful for you to do this?  Or are their other things you read or watch or do?  Do you think we should or should not meditate upon Jesus' passion and death more often than once a year?  Why or why not?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[Stuart]

How often do I meditate upon Jesus' passion and death? Often, especially since watching the Mel Gibson film, 'The Passion of the Christ'. I contemplate His death each and every time I look up at the cross during our church services, and when I read the New Testament. Do I think we should or should not meditate upon Jesus' passion and death more often than once a year? Yes we should, to remind us that "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16.

[John]

Psalm 22

I think Ray Stedman comments on this Psalm as well as anybody.

"At least nine specific events or aspects of the crucifixion are described here in minute detail. All of them were fulfilled during the six hours in which Jesus hung upon the cross, from nine o'clock in the morning until three o'clock in the afternoon. Moreover, the latter part of the psalm clearly depicts the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The probability that the predictions of these nine events would be fulfilled by chance in one person, on one afternoon, is inconceivably small. The chance that all this could occur by accident is beyond any realm of possibility our minds could imagine. Yet all was fulfilled as predicted in this amazing psalm.....

....Then we have a most amazing and unmistakable description of death by crucifixion, written at a time when crucifixion was simply unknown. This was set down when no one, so far as history tells us, put anyone to death by crucifixion. Certainly the Jews did not, for their method of execution was to stone someone to death. But here is One who clearly describes his own crucifixion:

Yea, dogs are round about me;
a company of evildoers encircle me;
they have pierced my hands and feet --
I can count all my bones --
they stare and gloat over me;
they divide my garments among them,
and for my raiment they cast lots. (Psalms 22:16-18 RSV)

It is absolutely impossible to explain that verse on any natural basis. It is clearly a God-given picture of the crucifixion. The Psalmist says that he is surrounded by "dogs". This was the common Jewish term for Gentiles, and especially for the Romans. Roman executioners are all around the cross here. He decries the fact that he is surrounded by these alien people. They have stripped him; he is naked. He can see all his bones and, worse yet, he can feel them. And the crowning indignity is that at the foot of the cross they are actually casting lots for his garments. The calloused, hardened Roman soldiers were trying to divide the spoil of his clothing (Matthew 27:35, Luke 23:34, John 19:34). Because they did not want to rip his seamless robe apart, they cast lots for it. It is impossible that this could have been fulfilled by the collusion of the Roman soldiers. Yet here it is, clearly described 1000 years before, so that Jesus' death by crucifixion is unquestionably in view."

Full commentary at this link:

http://www.raystedman.org/psalms/0401.html

[Mel]

Hi I came upon your blog through google. I am a Christian in Singapore, Chinese Singaporean. I attend a Bible believing church. I plan to read your blog more often. Do drop by mine!

[Chew Si Hui]

Hello Mel!!! Woohoo, one more member from Singapore! I'm a Singaporean too! Welcome! (too excited) =P

Care to exchange email addresses? Mine is si_hui_chew@hotmail.com. If you see this message please add me into your contact list.
Thanks!

[Jonathan]

I must admit that I seldom reflect on what Christ has done for me as it relates to his crucifixion and the torture in which He had experienced, yet, when I do reflect and focus my attention to this unfailing love He has shared, I cannot help but feel emotionally overwhelmed by His forgiving love and mercy to all man kind.
If we simply allow ourselves to remember that he paid the price for our sins and transgressions and call upon His name and lift Him on high, our lives will be more fullfilling. He came to bring us life more abundantly.

[John]

Proverbs 5:7-14

Proverbs 5 is about the perils of Adultery. I said yesterday that possibly we could look at this not as the seductress, but as satan - who is certainly behind the seductress. We can do that today and most of these verses ring true, but in today's verses looking at them as "sin" in general also looks valid.

As sin in general:
- we certainly want to stay clear of sin.
- lest we give our best efforts to sin rather than God, and years to one who is cruel (Satan).
- a Life of sin will take its toll on a believer. How? We will become apathetic and disconnected from God - thus losing the nourishment that comes from His Word and His blessings. There will be that constant internal wrangling between the spirit and flesh even if we ignore the prick of our conscience. We will be spent!
-if sinning long enough and often enough, the people around you will know. You will be labeled a hypocrite - if not to your face it will be behind your back. Your credibility as a believer will be zero.
======================================================
As to adultery specifically:

9 lest you give your best strength to others
and your years to one who is cruel,

10 lest strangers feast on your wealth
and your toil enrich another man's house.

While most commentators talk about prostitutes, STD's, and blackmail, one fellow wrote about these verses relating to a sentence of slavery. His claim is that a sentence of Stoning (penalty for being caught in adultery) could be commuted to life-long slavery.

Need to research this and intitially have found no other sources. Anybody ever heard about a commuting of a sentence from what God's Word decrees????? I will keep looking over the next few days.

jmikeadams@msn.com
2008

[Jo]

When I was reading today's psalm passage this morning I read it a few times over once I realized that it sounded out of place yet familiar. I realized it was similar to what Jesus went through during his crucification, and I'm excited to see that you all saw that too! I believe that's Jesus revealing Himself in His word. Another proof that the Old Testament is most importantly a foreshadow of Jesus Christ, and that His Spirit wrote it.

[John]

Exodus 2:11-3:22

In Antiquities of the Jews - Josephus talks about Moses' education in the court of Pharoah. Josephus wrote Moses was an exceedingly quick learner, skilled orator, great military mind for tactics and a natural leader: charasmatic, tall, and beautiful.

http://www.interhack.net/projects/library/antiquities-jews/
======================================================
If Josephus is correct, then Moses time in the court may have instilled in Moses a great deal of pride.

God had a mission for Moses predestined before the beginning of time. While the above qualities would be useful in the wilderness, God first needed a broken humble man that he could conform into the image of Christ. A man that would acknowledge God, let God make the decisions, and be a faithful servant to the Lord's plan. Moses had to be humbled.

Moses knew who his people were, and on his first recorded visit to them - Moses tries to protect them by killing an Egyptian. This did not go over well. Why? I see God's hand behind the reaction. God did not want to use a hot-headed hotshot military guy to lead a revolt of the Jewish people. That is not how God wanted to deal with Pharoah. On top of that Moses wrecklessly murdered a man, and shedding of anyone's innocent blood in the act of murder is a no-no for God. That authority is God's through natural means or through a societal government decision. So Moses had to be scared into fleeing so he could be humbled.
======================================================
Moses and the Burning Bush

Is there anything more humbling to a man who after forty years in Midian was out performing the lowliest job (shepherding a flock) of not Moses' animals but his father-in-laws animals?

Moses was 80, had no assets, and was performing menial tasks for his relative. A far cry from Moses' heyday in Pharoah's court.

NOW, Moses was humble enough. God, the Supreme potter, had smashed the clay vase down, and was ready to build Moses back up to the man Moses needed to be to lead the Exodus, a man in the foreshadowed image of Christ. [note: This rebuilding of Moses was only started here at the burning bush. conforming to the image of Christ is a lifelong work of God in a believer - then and now.] Moses is now a work in progress.

One small problem, Moses was now not only humble but insecure. Moses, at 80, does not really want to go back to Egypt (possibly still facing a murder charge), and lead his own people who had already rejected Moses once 40 years ago.

Moses starts making excuses for not going:

Ex 3:11
But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

Contrast this with Isaiah's response to the Lord.
Is6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

God had to start instilling some confidence in Moses based on trusting in the Lord. "And God said, "I will be with you."

He gave Moses his name, a sign, the words to say, and assurance that the elders of Israel would listen to Moses and heed God's Words. Pretty strong stuff to fortify Moses.

[John]

Matt 17:11-12
"Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. "But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." (NIV)

Quick hit

Which Elijah? How many Elijah's? Is the Lord confusing things in this verse. Many skeptics point to this verse as a contradiction.

Let's look at the verse:
"To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things...." The apostles are asking about the teachers of the Law's reference to Elijah from the prophecy in Mal 4:4-6.

Jesus answered in a complete sentence and says - Yes, that is true. Elijah will come prior to my kingdom (the Second Coming) and he will restore all things.

But wait a minute guys, you are putting the cart before the horse. Quit looking ahead to the kingdom and realize that there is some salvation work that needs to be done first. First, I must come as the sacrificial lamb, then return as the Lion of Judah in the Second coming.

Let's focus on this trip. There is an Elijah prior to this trip that was also foretold. Huh? Where was that?

Luke 1:17
"And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (NIV)

So Jesus is not contradicting or confusing us here:
1) Prior to this trip there was one that came in the spirit and power of Elijah - that was John the Baptist as foretold in Luke by God's angel.
2) Next time around - yes, there will be a literal Elijah who will restore all things - this Elijah will restore the hearts of Israel to the Lord as foretold in Malachai.