January 31st One Year Bible Readings

Exodus 12:14-13:16 ~ Matthew 20:29-21:22 ~ Psalm 25:16-22 ~ Proverbs 6:12-15
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Month One - Today we wrap up Month One of our One Year Bible readings! Congratulations! Your marathon pace is looking great. The wonderful habit of reading from God's Word every day is starting to settle into place in your life. Keep your eyes forward on the path before you this year and your eye on the prize! As Paul tells us in Philippians 3:14 – "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Let us each press on toward the goal!

Old Testament - This is a big day in our readings today - The Israelites officially begin their exodus from Egypt!  Today in Exodus chapter 12 we read about God instituting the Festival of Unleavened Bread along with Passover.  These both are still observed today by practicing Jews.  Verse 14 states the importance of these festivals to the Israelites:  "You must remember this day forever. Each year you will celebrate it as a special festival to the LORD."

Chapter 12 verses 29 & 30 tell us: "And that night at midnight, the Lord struck down all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn son of the prisoner in the dungeon. Even the firstborn of their livestock were killed. Pharaoh and all his officials and all the people of Egypt woke up during the night, and loud wailing was heard throughout the land of Egypt. There was not a single house where someone had not died."  Below is Dutch painter Laurens Alma Tadema's "Death of the Pharaoh's Firstborn Son" from the year 1872:

Verses 37 & 38 are amazing: "That night the people of Israel left Rameses and started for Succoth. There were about 600,000 men, plus all the women and children. And they were all traveling on foot. Many people who were not Israelites went with them, along with the many flocks and herds."  600,000 men equals probably at least 1.2 million people all together - and probably close to 2 million.  This is a massive Exodus!  Verse 38 is very interesting in that some Egyptians were joining the Israelites in this Exodus!  Think these Egyptians believed in God?

In Exodus chapter 13 we read about God's instructions for the dedication of the firstborn.  Note that based on this law that Jesus, the firstborn of Mary & Joseph, was dedicated to God in the Temple in Jerusalem as we read in Luke chapter 2 verses 21 through 24: "On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”"  I think it's also interesting to note that Mary & Joseph did not present a lamb, but a pair of doves or two young pigeons.  This portion of the law came from Leviticus chapter 12 verse 8: "If she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering.""  Below is an image of Jesus being dedicated in the temple:

Bible.org's commentary on "The Passover and the Plague of the Firstborn" is at this link.

New Testament - Today in Matthew chapter 21 verse 22 we read these words from Jesus: "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.""  This is a powerful verse if you really stop and think about it...  Do you believe Jesus' teaching here?  Do you believe that if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer?  I do believe this... but then there is always in the back of my mind - "but what about so-and-so who was ill and was praying in belief that they would be healed.  But then they weren't..."   I don't have any easy answer on this one.  I have to believe there are probably some good resources out there for this tough question?  If you know of any resources / books on this subject of prayer - or, more specifically, unanswered prayers - please post up in the Comments section below?  Thanks.

Whoo-hoo!  Today is Palm Sunday in our Gospel reading today!  :)  Hosanna in the Highest!  Hosanna means "Save Now" - Amen!

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 21 titled "The Triumphal Entry" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 25 verse 22 really stood out to me today: "O God, ransom Israel from all its troubles."  As I read this, the Christmas carol, "O Come O Come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel" comes to my mind.  Indeed, God would answer this prayer of King David's and send his Son to ransom Israel!

Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 6 verse 14 today tells us: "Their perverted hearts plot evil. They stir up trouble constantly." This is a powerful reminder of the utmost importance for us to guard the condition of our hearts continually!

Worship God:  Reading about Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem today reminded me of the Hillsong United song "Hosanna:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXCoHxX1OC8

Are you praising "Hosanna?" Click here and praise Hosanna in the Highest!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you would believe in Jesus unfailingly each and every day. Ask for things in prayer that you believe are the will of the Father.

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  It's interesting to me how fast January seems to have flown by. February is now before us. I don't know about you, but I set some big goals and resolutions this year and somehow I'm suddenly a month behind on progress on those goals. However, even though I am feeling behind on some goals for this year, I know that ultimately my life is in a very good place because I am moving forward with my relationship with God. Reading and studying God's Word every day is a higher priority than any of my other goals and resolutions. Those other goals and resolutions can wait. My relationship with God cannot wait. As long as I am in a growing and loving relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, nothing else really matters. How about you? Are there some goals and resolutions for this year that you feel like you might be behind on? Do you agree that reading from God's Word each day and growing in your love relationship with God is more important than those goals and resolutions?  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

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our One Year Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

Comments

[Ramona]

Exodus 12:14-13:16

Random thoughts and impressions I jotted down as I read the Old Testament today.

Also, take your flocks and your herds, just as you have spoken, and leave. But bless me (Pharaoh) also." (Exodus 12:32 NET.)

When I read this I thought, “Did Moses “Bless” Pharaoh? Was there some kind of bank of heaven where Blessings are stored up for certain people and applied accordingly? Pharaoh would have to rely on the mercy of God because he did not have a relationship with the God of gods and I think God’s Mercy had run out on Pharaoh.

The Lord gave favor to the people in the eyes of the Egyptians, and they gave them whatever they wanted, and so they plundered Egypt. (Exodus 12:36 NET.)

The word plunder implies war and those that plunder are the victors. Israel had been in a battle; however, it was God fighting their fight against the ineffective gods of Egypt. To the victor belong the spoils of war. Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. (Romans 8:37 AMP). What does it mean to be more than a conqueror? To gain victory automatically bestows title of champion, but to be more than a conqueror has not been something I’ve contemplated. Israel’s march out of Egypt carrying her treasure with them made her more than a conqueror without having lifted up one weapon, God did it all.

This night had been reserved by the LORD to bring his people out from the land of Egypt, so this same night now belongs to him. It must be celebrated every year, from generation to generation, to remember the LORD's deliverance.(Exodus 12:42 NLT)

After rereading the above verse in other translations, I realized this particular rendition brought something to the story I had never seen before, God’s timing. In Eternity past God had reserved that specific night for Israel’s deliverance out of Egypt. If God is the same yesterday, today and forever, can the things, which so easily beset me, the things I have allowed to entrap me, can the day of my deliverance also have been set in eternity past? Hmmm

"If an immigrant is staying with you and wants to keep the Passover to GOD, every male in his family must be circumcised, then he can participate in the Meal--he will then be treated as a native son. But no uncircumcised person can eat it. (Exodus 12:48 MSG)

God has always provided for those outside of His Covenant to enter in and become His People. As for the congregation, there shall be one statute both for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you, a statute for ever throughout your generations; as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD. (Numbers 15:15 JPS)

Finally the passage I had found so very intriguing three years ago and that continues to fascinate me today.

Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem by [substituting for it] a lamb, or if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck; and every firstborn among your sons shall you redeem. (Exodus 13:13 AMP)

The previous verse states every firstborn sons and male animals MUST be presented before the Lord, yet the donkey could be redeemed. Why? It is because the donkey is a work animal and can be ridden by man, or is there some other thing going on?

Jesus came into Jerusalem riding on a donkey as He entered Jerusalem during His Passion.

When He came near Bethphage and Bethany at the mount called [the Mount of] Olives, He sent two of His disciples, Telling [them], Go into the village yonder; there, as you go in, you will find a donkey's colt tied, on which no man has ever yet sat. Loose it and bring [it here]. (Luke 19:29-30 AMP)

Jesus, the Lamb of God came into Jerusalem on the back of a young donkey. Not only did he Redeem man from his sins, he redeemed that donkey from having its neck broken.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[Pat]

God always answers prayer, we need to remember in prayer that his will be done. Later, pat

[Bob Bieberdorf]

GOD SAID NO By Claudia Minden Welsz

I asked God to take away my pride,
And God said, "No."
He said it was not for Him to take away,
But for me to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole,
And God said, "No."
He said her spirit is whole.
Her body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience,
And God said, "No."
He said patience is a by-product of tribulation.
It isn't granted, it is earned.

I asked God to give me happiness,
And God said, "No."
He said He gives blessings,
Happiness is up to me.

I asked God to spare me pain,
And God said, "No."
He said, "Suffering draws you apart from
Worldly cares and brings you closer to Me."

I asked God to make my spirit grow,
And God said, "No."
He said I must grow on my own,
But he will prune me to make it fruitful.

I asked God if He loved me,
And God said, "Yes."
He gave me His only son, who died for me.
And I will be in Heaven someday
Because… I believe.

I asked God to help me love others
As much as He loves me,
And God said,
"Ah finally, you have the idea."

[deedee]

I love that poem Bob! Well said, "Claudia Welsz" love it! What a fascinating analogy Ramona! Yes God redeemed man of the curse and sent His Son instead. Jesus came into the world not to condemn the world but that through Him, the world be saved!John 3:17 Be blessed!