~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Exodus 10:1-12:13 ~ Matthew 20:1-28
Psalm 25:1-15 ~ Proverbs 6:6-11
Old Testament - In Exodus chapter 10 we read about the Plague of Locusts!
My first time trying out images on the blog for effect! :) Next comes the plague of darkness!
In Exodus chapter 11 we read in verses 4 & 5 - "So Moses announced to Pharaoh, "This is what the LORD says: About midnight I will pass through Egypt. All the firstborn sons will die in every family in Egypt, from the oldest son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the oldest son of his lowliest slave. Even the firstborn of the animals will die." And an appropriate image for this announcement - Moses' last time speaking with Pharaoh - might be this -
Okay, enough fun with images.... :)
In Exodus chapter 12 today we read about God giving Moses and Aaron instructions on the First Passover. Verse 2 jumped out at me - "From now on, this month will be the first month of the year for you." Here we see that God is actually instituting a new religious calendar for the Hebrews with the month that Passover is in being the first month. This month is in the March-April spring timeframe and is called Abib or Nisan in Hebrew. The feasts that were and are celebrated in this 1st month are - Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits.
The significance of Passover was that God was introducing the concept of a sacrifice or a substitute for a life. The lamb was sacrificed as a substitute for the Hebrews first born sons. The blood of the lamb was placed on the doorposts as a sign that the household had sacrificed an innocent life - the lamb. By the blood of the unblemished/perfect lamb, the household was protected from death. This is a foreshadowing of Jesus. Jesus is the sacrificial lamb for us. He was a substitute for us and our sins. He was an innocent unblemished/perfect lamb - sinless. By Jesus' blood, we are protected from eternal death. See the parallels between Passover and Jesus?
Exodus chapter 12 verse 11 is of note - "Wear your traveling clothes as you eat this meal, as though prepared for a long journey. Wear your sandals, and carry your walking sticks in your hands. Eat the food quickly, for this is the LORD's Passover." By wearing their traveling clothes, the Hebrews were faithfully acknowledging God's word that they would very soon be freed from slavery and bondage in Egypt. The Exodus would soon begin... and the traveling clothes signified that the Hebrews were ready for the journey! How about us today? Do you think that God may still call us on some journeys to take today? Do you think that God might be calling you on a journey here in 2005? If so, will you be ready for the call? Will you wear your "traveling clothes", so that when the "Exodus" comes, you are ready for it?
New Testament - Matthew chapter 20's story of the vineyard workers is one that I have at times had challenges with. I, like the workers who labored all day, would think - "that's not fair!" Well.... but then I came to realize that I believe this story is a story of Grace. God's grace. And you know what - God's grace is not "fair." And thank God for this being so! God's grace is so powerful and all-encompassing and life-giving and healing and saving. And God's grace is offered to me. And to you. And to our neighbors. And to everyone. God's grace is offered to people that have sinned against God. Me. You. Our Neighbors. Everyone. God's grace is offered to people who become Christians early in their lives and live wonderfully giving lives. And God's grace is offered to people who become Christians on their deathbed after living destructive lives. God's grace is given freely. Like these workers in this story, we all accept God's grace at different points in the "day." How about you? What part of the "day" are you in? Have you accepted God's gift of grace? Will you?
Jesus' teaching in Matthew 20 verse 16 has always been convicting to me - "And so it is, that many who are first now will be last then; and those who are last now will be first then." I see the wisdom in this verse... but yet, I still think that I try to be "first" in many ways in my life. I don't like being "last". I like being honored. I like being the star. I don't like being the servant. I don't like to be the guy supporting the star. And yet, Jesus is calling us to be last. To serve others. To let others go first. How about you? Are you trying to be "first" in your life? Or do you see the eternal wisdom in being "last"?
As this chapter proceeds we read about Jesus prophesying his own death and resurrection. And then, we see Jesus prophesy about the end of James & John's life when their mother and they ask to sit at Jesus' right & left in heaven. Check out verses 22 & 23 - ""You don't know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow I am about to drink?" "Oh yes," they replied, "we are able!" "You will indeed drink from it," he told them." You will indeed drink from it... James ended his life being martyred for his faith in Jesus. And John ended his life in exile on the island of Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation. And I wonder again about us today... sometimes we hear about the "health, wealth and prosperity gospel", and think that's what we've signed up for as Christians. But... do you think that it might be possible that at some point in your life that you might be called to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow that Jesus drank from? If you are called to drink from that bitter cup, will you indeed drink from it?
The last 10 words of Verse 28 remind me of the Passover Lamb / Jesus parallels discussed above in this post - "For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many." Jesus came to give his life as a ransom for many. Do you believe that he came to give his life as a ransom for you?
Psalms - Psalm 25 has some amazing verses today! I think I could write some reflections and questions on each of the verses today... Maybe a good thing for each of us to do is to re-read this Psalm today and really reflect on what the verses are saying to our hearts. Will you do this?
I do like verse 5 a lot and I believe it will speak to each of you going through the One Year Bible this year - "Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you." Do you believe that reading God's Word each day is allowing you to be led by God's truth? Are you being taught each day? Then - that last sentence in verse 5 is amazing. I cannot honestly say that all day long I put my hope in God. I pray that I do... but I think sometimes I drift away from putting my hope in God and I put my hope in myself - or maybe even sometimes I lose hope! I get discouraged about a situation. I get stressed. I worry. If we put our hope all day long in God, do you think we would get discouraged, stressed, or worried? I don't think we would...
Proverbs - Okay, Proverbs chapter 6 verses 9 through 11 make me smile. I do absolutely see the wisdom in these verses... but reading the word lazybones makes me smile. Is this a New Living Translation thing?? I honestly wondered for a split second if I was getting The Message translation on this Proverb somehow today! :) By the way - random tangent here - I picked up a full copy of The Message for $20 at Sam's Club tonight. OT & NT. I'm psyched! I love the paraphrase of The Message by Eugene Peterson. And - random tangent #2 - have you noticed how many cool religious books & Bibles Sam's Club has these days? I mean, they don't have a ton of books in their monster warehouse. But, they have tons of Bibles - including Zondervan's NIV Study Bible, which is just phenomenal. And they had some really cool Oswald Chamber "My Utmost for His Highest" journal books. And of course tons of Purpose Driven Life books. HOWEVER - they did NOT have a One Year Bible format of the Bible! How upsetting! :) I will talk to them... Okay, back to this Proverb... The other reason this Proverb made me smile is because I do a lot of catch up of sleep on weekends - which I know is not wise... I'm trying to change my ways here... but, before reading the Bible tonight, I thought to myself, "wow, I almost got 10 hours of sleep last night! And I'm gonna get 10 hours of sleep hopefully tonight! Woo-hoo!" And then I read this... "But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? I want you to learn this lesson: A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-- and poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber." Ahh man.... I am feeling really guilty about going for 10 hours tonight.... but again... I see the wisdom in this Proverb - on weekdays! :) (probably the Proverbs were not written just for weekdays... :)
UPDATE - Okay, I went to bed last night after posting this up, still thinking about this Proverb... and I set my alarm to get 10 hours of sleep... but - I woke up, wide-awake, just after getting 8 hours of sleep! And I'm feeling very refreshed and like I've had plenty of sleep.... this Proverb just whooped me into shape I think! :)
What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings? Please post up in the Comments section below!
Grace,
Mike
Mike,
Before I spend time in the Word every day I ask God to show me something new that I can apply to my life(And believe me, He shows me.). And I ask Him to take what I have read and learned and show me how to apply it my my life. By reading His Word daily I do believe I am being led by His truth.
Putting hope in God can be hard, especially all day long. Losing hope and getting discouraged is very easy to do.
By putting on hope all day long, asking God to put on us His armour, extinguish all firey weapons Satan tries to fire at us, and putting our faith in Him, we will get less discouraged and have less bouts of worriness.
If you have worries then givem them all to God.
Phil 4:6 Do not worry about anything, instead pray about everything.
1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you.
Proverbs 6: 9-11 talks about, it is okay to sleep. But we need to becareful that we do not let the temptation of sleep and laziness take over our time of work.
Should you be feeling guilty about your 10 hours of sleep the last couple of nights? Be careful where the quilt is coming from. Is it Satan trying to make you feel bad that you are sleeping so much? Or is it God trying to quide you and prompt you to spend more time in service for Him.
We should work. We need to work. If we don't work, we don't eat. We should rest. We need to rest. So we don't get burned out and become useless to our employer or to God. And remember we have the Sabbath in which it is a day of rest, a day of restoration, a day for us to spend with God, to spend with family.
As long as you work, and you feel you have completed your day's service for God, you can rest. God wants us to take care of our minds and bodies to remain in fighting shape for Him.
God Bless,
BJ
Posted by: BJ Hewitt | January 30, 2005 at 02:19 PM
Mike,
I have not missed a day this month. My mind always seem to wander when I haven't done my daily bible reading. This is such an awesome experience. Please pray for me in two areas:
1. I am apllying for nursing schools. I pray that the right school will accept. God knows which one :)
2. I am dealing with sexual addiction again. I gave it over to God last falla t my Men's retreat but it is back. Pray that I can continue my journey with God.
Brian
Posted by: Brian | January 30, 2005 at 02:23 PM
Hi: Praise the Lord, I have not missed one single day of my readings. I asked the Lord on Jan 1, to help me do this years reading of the Bible, under His guidance and He is faithful....
Some days, JUST IN CASE, I do double reading, if I can not do it next day, but if I do, I read it again the following day, it is working great. One day I did not have time, but I had done it already the day before.
When I do the daily reading I have a Commentary, a Bible dictionary with me, if there is something that I want to go deeper, I look. I have found also a very good book, called "How to get into the Bible", by Stephen M. Miller that is very interesting. It is not a profound or extended book but has a little bit of everything; highlights, plots, behind the scenes, reviews, encores and some simple pictures of some chapters and verses. (Now that you have some pictures in the daily blog, but mine are not as sofisticated as yours) Last week I was doing my reading with my grandson, who is 9 years old, and he loved it. Along with reading we were looking at the pictures and commenting on them.
I am greatful to God,and happy for myself that I found the web page last year and I am reading the Bible with the plan we are following. It is very good, complete and full of insight. I am discovering many new things and God is speaking to me daily.
God bless you Mike. Sincerely, Eugenia
Posted by: Genie | January 30, 2005 at 03:25 PM
Exodus 10:1-12:13
10: 1 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Return to Pharaoh and again make your demands. I have made him and his officials stubborn so I can continue to display my power by performing miraculous signs among them. 2 You will be able to tell wonderful stories to your children and grandchildren about the marvelous things I am doing among the Egyptians to prove that I am the LORD."
I’m been trying to come to terms with God making Pharaoh and his officials “stubborn” for years, so I went to speak to Mr. Strong. In the KJV and the NIV the Hebrew word translated into our English word, stubborn, in the NLT is translated “hardened.” Why would God do that to a person? Doesn’t that run counter to free will? However in the eleventh chapter the same Words God gave Moses and Aaron to speak and the plagues that disrupted the lives of everyone in Egypt, except the children of Israel living in Goshen, predisposed the rest of the Egyptians to not only look favorable on the Hebrews but also to see Moses as a great man (verse 3).
Upon further research I see this Hebrew word, Kabad (Strong’s Number, 03513), appears a total of 109 times; however, it is only translated, hardened (KJV) seven times. Yet over 50% of the time this work has been either translated honor, glorify, or honorable 62 times. Hmmm! The following is my own thinking and if anyone else has an explanation please post a response. I believe that Pharaoh and his advisors were so full of their own honor and glory they were unable to see the power and truth of Israel’s God. Like two opposing sides digging in to maintain their “lines,” Pharaoh’s heart maintained his false self-importance at the expense of the knowledge of God, leaving him stubborn to the truth. A stubborn man is an ignorant man because he refuses to be taught, and woman too. In other words, “He thought he was ‘All That and a Bag of Chips with a Coke and a Snickers Bar!’”
Although I’m not a farmer or gardener I do believe the condition of the soil depends on the make-up of the soil, water and the action of the sun. The soils’ mixture, rain, or lack there of, can be either soften or made hard as a brick when the action of the sun’s light, which also produces heat beams down. Remembering that in both the Old and New Testament, the heart is symbolically spoken of as being soil in the parable of the Sower and God speaks to the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 4:3) and Hosea (Hosea 10:12) commanding the people to “break up your fallow ground.” God is not responsible for the condition of our hearts, we are. His Word to us can either soften or hardened based on what is going on in our hearts.
The tragedy of the “sacrificial” Passover lamb, which will latter be Jesus Christ, can see seen in the edit to pick out the lamb on the 10th day and take special care of it until the 14th day when it is slaughtered. To take special care of this little lamb you must spend time with it. How very difficult it must be to take a small cute animal, which has its own personality, and then kill it. I believe this is a tiny example of what God went through while watching His Son, who was before the foundation of the World, be brutally beaten, reviled then crucified for sins that were not his own.
Matthew 20:1-28
The Story of the Vineyard Workers, I believe is also about Israel and the Gentiles. Israel is God’s Covenant People, while the Gentiles are the ones who have come into the Kingdom at four at 9am, 12pm, 3pm and at 5pm The issue of those who worked for only an hour, the 5pm hires, getting the same pay as everyone else may not have set well with the other groups that came in so each and everyone of us at what ever time we came in Jews and Gentiles alike may have a problem with that death bed confession.
But this is also saying that an owner, any owner has the right to use their resources, which really belongs to God, at his or her own discretion. How many times have we read a news story where someone decides to use their money to benefit a certain group or cause then those who may not be beneficiaries of their largess mumble and complain because the money didn’t come to them? We need to stop that.
Between the above Parable and Jesus’ teaching on serving others, Jesus again speaks of His death. In seems that these were some “dull” guys or they were hoping against hope that Jesus was speaking in Parables and or other symbolic language when he repeated this reality that was to come. Yet were they dull or what? Am I reading through these Words of Christ, the Prophets, the Law and Psalms with the same dull mind as the disciples? If I am I must realize that Jesus handpicked them just as He picked me, and all those who call on His Name. That Name that is above every name!
Serving others is the way to leadership in Jesus’ MBA program, which you certainly won’t find at Harvard Business or Wharton. O, you might come across a Servant Leadership Program, but without placing Jesus as the model, what you will get is behavior only and not the heart of a servant leader, which can only come by way of love. Love desires to benefit others as the expense of self and without that love you will only have theory and will find application hard or next to impossible to achieve.
Psalm 25:1-15
This Psalm is one of them that should be taken to heart and posted daily in a place that we come to often. This rehearses before our eyes and our memory the character of God, His mercies and graciousness toward us. Verse 14, ”Friendship with the LORD is reserved for those who fear him. With them he shares the secrets of his covenant,” is something I covet because I want to know the secrets of His law, his commands. When I understand why, following them becomes so much easier. Yet I know that it doesn’t take faith to follow something that you know is true. But I thank God that like the ever brightening sky when morning dawns, revelation is progressive and for what He has revealed to me I cherish, and try not to handle lightly.
Proverbs 6:6-11
Mike, I’m not so sure that this is about “sleeping” because there are people who hardly sleep but they are not productive. This is about productivity and our “sleeping” or laziness can come when we are wide-awake. There is such a thing as having a lot of movement but not having any momentum. There are people who appear to be busy yet are ineffective in any kind of work they do. Albert Einstein took a lot of naps; however it was in the time of physical rests that he received answers to some of his greatest problems. I think this is about having a dull mind, refusing to think on our own, going with the crowd or heard mentality. This is just my opinion.
Read some of your posts regarding the challenge of going through the Bible and remembered how when I first began I too felt the task was almost impossible. The majority of the time I felt I was chewing saw dust because I didn't understand a lot of what I was reading but I didn't begin reading because I wanted to have a great relationship with God. I began reading to guard myself against the wolves that were in the churches I had attended as a child, and they were not Catholic Churches. The Apostle Paul states in 1 Corinthians 11, 1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” How would you know if someone is imitating Christ if you’ve never “studied” what Christ had done in the Old Testament as well as the New. We are also admonished to “study” (2 Timothy 2:15).
I have shared with Mike privately how I came to the state I was in in 1984 to begin my journey and I believe I will share the three passages, of which two spoke to me so strongly that they brought me to my knees in tears as we come to them. It was God speaking to my deepest darkest pain that first year that inspired me to year after year take on the task of reading His Word until it became so ingrained in me that I feel incomplete, naked if I'm not reading daily. There are times when I have missed a day in the One-Year-Bible or a number of other plans I have used; however, I double up on the readings.
My prayer is that all who call Jesus Lord, get to know Him in His Word for God, as well as Jesus, and His Word are One. In the Beginning was the Word and the Word was God …(John 1:1)
Grace and peace,
Ramona
Posted by: Ramona | January 30, 2005 at 03:50 PM
Exodus 10:2
"You will be able to tell wonderful stories to your children and grandchildren about the marvelous things I am doing among the Egyptians to prove that I am the Lord."
I love this verse because everytime we identify God moving in our life, answered prayers, divine appointments, etc. - we have greater testimony and reminder in our own hearts, but also the opportunity to pass this along to our children, etc.
Do we take the time to record these things, to remember via journals, visible reminders? Make a list of answered prayers- or as many as you can remember- just a fun thing to think about.
Psalm 25:1
"To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. I trust in you, my God."
Sometimes I feel like certain things eat at our soul, in my case, most often my job. Last spring I had such little rest due to my job and I PRAYED intensely about this for months, not actually expecting God to physically provide me rest. That is what happened. I knew God had led me to that position & so this verse reminds me to trust in Him- that I had to lift up my soul.
Can anyone address your soul vs your heart. I know the heart is an actual body organ- but I also believe God speaks to our hearts and in that way I think perhaps heart and soul are interchangeable. CAn anyone answer?
Thanks.
Posted by: Amy | January 30, 2005 at 09:53 PM
Mike,
I might not post much, but I wanted to let you know I enjoy all the effort you are putting towards this and the inline pictures do give the impact of what you are trying to show!
Great Job,
Tony
Posted by: Tony | January 31, 2005 at 08:11 PM
I want to know if we should be celebrating passover since I am reading that it is to be celebrated for all generations forever?
Are we to celebrate these holidays that we read about in the bible now, because it reads for all generations forever?
Posted by: zenimah Benjudah | February 01, 2005 at 06:04 PM