Old Testament reading: Exodus 7-9

Let the plagues begin! In chapter 7 begins the account of the plagues the Lord brought upon Egypt. These plagues were not simply punishments for wrongdoing, but rather were given as signs to both Israel and Egypt that Jehovah was indeed the LORD. Two items of note – First, each plague appears to show the authority and power of Jehovah over the primary gods of Egypt. In fact, Exodus 12:12 says that the Passover would be Jehovah’s final judgment “against all the gods of Egypt.” This makes for a great series of studies. Second, only the first three plagues affected all the inhabitants of Egypt (including Israel). It wasn’t until the fourth (flies) that God made a distinction between his people and the Egyptians. AS I mentioned of our previous reading, I don’t think it any secret that Israel also needed reminder of the power of Jehovah. After the third plague (lice), Pharaoh’s magicians declared, “It is the finger of God.” In other words, ‘Israel’s God is just getting started and hasn’t broken a sweat.’ Moreover, this was the first plague that was not replicated by Pharaoh’s magicians. Some believe this is due to the very nature of the plague itself, which required creating life from non-life.

https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/563-israels-exodus-from-egypt

New Testament reading: Luke 1

“And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who was to come.” So spake the Lord Jesus concerning John the Baptizer in Matthew 11:14. Whereas Mark begins his gospel account with the work of John, Luke begins his with the events leading up to John’s birth, linking him with his near kin, the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 1:36). More than 400 years earlier, at the close of Old Testament inspiration, Malachi spoke of one who would come and prepare the way of the Lord (Mal 4:5). John is one of only three New Testament characters can be expressly linked to the Old Testament. Obviously, Jesus is one and Judas Iscariot the other (Ps 41:9, 69:25, 109:8). Jesus said John the Baptizer was the greatest man ever born, but the least member of the kingdom (church) is greater than he (Matt 11:11). Thus, to be born is marvelous, but to be born again (John 3:3-5) is infinitely greater.

Old Testament reading: Exodus 4-6

“Let’s get ready to rumble!” Chapter 5 begins Moses’ confrontations with Pharaoh. I literally shuddered when I read Pharaoh’s words in Exodus 5:2, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.” Bad things happen when men don’t know the Lord, and this is no exception. At first, it seems Pharaoh has the upper hand, as he orders the taskmasters not to provide straw for bricks, but tells Israel to gather their own straw while maintaining their daily quota of bricks. God’s people immediately begin to accuse Moses of making them abhorrent in the eyes of Pharaoh and under the threat of death. Moses entreats God for an answer as to why things are not going to plan. Moses’ problem, like ours often today, is that he is working from his plan and not God’s. God assures Moses that He will indeed deliver Israel from Egypt and bring them to the land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The people are having none of it (6:9). Perhaps this is why they were also partakers of the first three plagues, but that’s in our next reading!

New Testament reading: Mark 15-16

“He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; he who does not believe shall be condemned.” These are the words of Jesus concerning the only proper response to hearing the gospel and the promise of salvation to those who respond accordingly. Many point to Jesus’ omission of baptism in the latter half of the verse as justifying their false doctrine of salvation by faith only without baptism. Verse 16 consists of two independent clauses. As being independent, neither clause has any effect on the meaning of the other. The first tells us what we must do to be saved; the second tells us what to do to be lost. Personally, I am not interested in being lost. Been there; done that. To those who make this quibble regarding verse 16 need to answer the question, “What did Jesus say one must do to be saved?” Answer that question and you’ll have the answer to the matter today. Jesus did not say, “He who believes and is not baptized will be saved.” Neither did he say, “He who believes is saved and may be baptized later.” Why do so many refuse to hear the voice of the one Whom they claim to serve?

Old Testament reading: Exodus 1-3

(Take an extra 2-3 minutes and include chapter 4 in today’s reading to maintain the context.) “There arose a king who did not know Joseph” (Ex 1:8). Thus ends the good days of Israel’s sojourn in Egypt and begins the oppression and suffering of Israel in Egypt. A common error concerning Israel’s period of persecution in Egypt is to think their affliction would last 400 years. This misconception comes from assigning the 400 years of Genesis 15:13 to Israel’s affliction as opposed to the sojourn of Abraham and his descendants. The apostle Paul is clear that the giving of the Law of Moses came 430 years after God made his promise to Abraham. Unlike Genesis 15:13, there is no other way to interpret Paul’s statement regarding the time. Also in today’s text is seen God’s call to Moses to bring up His children from Egypt. Despite Moses’ greatness, we find him to be less than thrilled with his call and quite unwilling to go. Offering one excuse after another, each one of Moses’ objections are quickly and patiently answered by God, even to the giving of miraculous abilities to show God as his sending authority. Despite all of God’s answers, Moses finally says, ‘Please send someone else’ (4:13). This is when God’s patience ran out (4:14). We can learn that God can be patient as we question and sort through our responsibilities, but at some point the talking and questions have to stop and the command to go must be obeyed.

New Testament reading: Mark 13-14

“Rend your hearts and not your garments.” So said the prophet in Joel 2:13. The tearing of one’s garments was an outward sign of great grief or mental anguish (cf Genesis 37:29-34). In today’s reading, we see the high priest’s hypocrisy as he tore his garments upon hearing Jesus’ confession that He was indeed “the Christ, the Son of the Blessed.” The truth of the matter is this – rather than being grieved, the high priest couldn’t have been any happier, for with Jesus’ confession he had all he needed to finally rid himself of this troublesome teacher from Nazareth. Many people wail and shed “crocodile tears” when they are not truly repentant, but are instead are offering nothing more than an outward display of penitence. Only godly sorrow produces repentance (2 Cor 7:10).

Old Testament reading: Genesis 48-50

“Be sure your sin will find you out” (Num 32:23). Today’s reading details Jacob’s last words given to his sons. It is not appropriate to refer to these words as “Jacob’s blessing,” as his three eldest sons were not blessed, but rather cursed. “Unstable as water” is Jacob’s description of his eldest, Reuben. Reuben had committed fornication with his father’s concubine, and Jacob knew it, though he said nothing at the time (35:22). I find this interesting as it was Reuben who intended to save Joseph from his brothers’ evil intent (37:22). On the other hand (again), Reuben also went along with the deceit concerning Joseph’s “death.” Simeon and Levi, Jacob’s next two sons, were also cursed by their father concerning their treachery and deceit in the Dinah incident (Gen 34). The lesson here for us is clear – though we may believe no one has seen our sins and transgressions, God most certainly sees all things, even the hidden things of the heart, and ultimately a price must be paid for our lack of self control.

New Testament reading: Mark 11-12

“My Lord was neither a sissy nor a hippie.” I often remind our people of these truths as many have hijacked the biblical Jesus and replaced Him with a mash up of Doonesbury and Ghandi.  Mark 11 reveals that our Lord was not afraid of controversy. Jesus publicly debated and refuted the errors of the Pharisees and Sadducees. He called these sectarians out loudly and publicly, manifesting to the people their shameful hypocrisy and abuse of the common man.  Perhaps this is why Mark records that “the common people heard Him gladly” (12:37). show us the final polemic encounters of our Lord just before his betrayal and crucifixion. Moreover, Jesus was unafraid to get physical if the situation called for it. His cleansing of the temple (Mark 11:15-17) reveals our Lord as a strong physical presence. Mark tells us that Jesus not only overturned the tables of the moneychanger and those selling goods, He drove them out. Jesus cleared the house of God. Furthermore, He exercised Himself as a divine bouncer, not permitting anyone to carry their wares and goods through the temple. My Lord was meek and lowly, but my Lord was also a man.

Old Testament reading: Genesis 46-47

Your feelings may be real, but they don’t change the truth.  When Jacob had been deceived into thinking Joseph was dead, he grieved for many days saying, “I will go to my grave mourning my son” (37:35). Jacob couldn’t have grieved any more than if he had seen and held Joseph’s lifeless body. His feelings were real and undeniable, but they were not based in truth. In the last three verses of yesterday’s reading (Gen 45:26-28), it is made known to Jacob that Joseph is alive and prospering in Egypt. The text says “Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not believe them.” Perhaps Jacob was still a bit hesitant to believe this incredible news, for God appeared to him as they traveled saying, “Do not fear to go down to Egypt… I will go down with you… and Joseph will put his hand on your eyes” (46:3-4). Again, I am always moved by the text as Joseph prepared a chariot and went to meet his father as the text says, “He fell on his neck and wept a good while” (46:29). One can only imagine the joy of both men as they are reunited after so many years.  Before we move to our New Testament text, I want to note Joseph’s shrewd and faithful dealings to enrich Pharaoh. I had never considered Pharaoh as less than an absolute monarch, but it was Joseph’s trading of grain for livestock, then lands, then the people themselves that ultimately gave Pharaoh absolute control over all of Egypt (47:13-26).

New Testament reading: Mark 9-10

Today’s text contains two primary themes: Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the greatness of humble service to others. These two themes were of great difficulty among the Twelve. Three times in this text we see Jesus speak to them of His impending suffering and death (9:12, 31; 10:32-34), but they did not understand and were afraid to ask Him of it (9:32, 10:32). Instead, they worried themselves (and not to mention, their LORD) by arguing over whom would be the greatest in the kingdom of God. A little more focus on the first theme would’ve certainly solved their issues with the second. When I spend more time thinking about the suffering and death of Jesus, it increases my awareness of my need for humility and the necessity of having the heart of a servant.

Old Testament reading: Genesis 43-45

I guess I have grown “soft” as I have grown older. I despise the NY Yankees, but I never cease to be moved, nearly to tears, every time I hear Lou Gehrig’s final address in Yankee Stadium… “Today… I consider myself… the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” I get “a little verklempt” every time I see a soldier come home and surprise his family, every time I watch some special needs child make a basket or score a touchdown in a high school contest, every time I see my kids take another step toward maturity but farther from home. Today’s Old Testament reading (Genesis 43-45), like yesterday’s, is one I never read without being deeply moved. Put yourself in Joseph’s shoes and read Genesis 42-45 without interruption and see if your heart is not pricked when you see him weeping alone after recognizing his brothers, see if you aren’t moved to tears when he sees Benjamin and when he reveals himself to them in chapter 45. Allow yourself to be moved by the narrative. This is not just a reading exercise in Jewish history.

New Testament reading: Mark 7-8

Today’s reading warns us by illustrating the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and their adherence to human tradition. While the Pharisees were all about physical washing as a means to avoiding defilement, they were woefully inadequate in keeping spiritual defilement at bay. Following the human tradition of washing, they were diligent to keep their bodies pure through bathing and the washing of pots, but they wilfully set aside the commandment of God to honor their father and mother. Worse still, they rejected God’s commandment by excusing themselves that they were giving God a gift (7:11). I cannot help but be reminded of Saul and the children of Israel when they also set aside the commandment of God in order that they might bring Him a gift (1 Sam 15:3-15). Does God desire our gifts or does He desire our obedience? Samuel said that to obey was better than sacrifice (1 Sam 15:22). In like fashion, many today have set aside the command of God that they might offer Him a gift, e.g., the exercise of some talent or ability. But we cannot offer as a gift to God that which He has not authorized, lest we fall under the same condemnation.

Old Testament reading: Genesis 41-42

“You can’t keep a good man down.” Despite being forgotten in prison by Pharaoh’s butler (Gen 40:23), God’s providential hand is again revealed. Two years following his release according to Joseph’s word (40:13-14, 20-21), the butler “remembered his faults” when Pharaoh could not find an interpreter for his dream. Joseph was summoned from prison to tell Pharaoh his dream. So impressed was the monarch that Joseph was exalted even higher than when he served Potiphar, to the extent that Pharaoh said, “only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you” (41:40). Joseph also took a wife during this time, and to him were two sons born: Manasseh and Ephraim (Gen 41:50-52). The names of his boys reflect both the pain and prosperity of Joseph’s life. Mannaseh means “Making Forgetful,” as Joseph said that ‘God has made to forget the pain associated with my father’s house.’ Ephraim means “Fruitfulness,” as Joseph said, “God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.” What a marvelous testimony to Joseph, that in all things he was made to see the goodness of God!

New Testament reading: Mark 5-6

Jesus, the Sovereign Servant. Each gospel account was written to a specific audience or for a specific purpose. Matthew presents Jesus to a Jewish audience as “the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” (Matt 1:1). Mark’s was a Roman audience, as he sometimes interspersed Latin words into his text. Romans respected authority, and today’s reading reveals Jesus’ power and authority in a number of areas that would have certainly gained their attention. In Mark 4:35-41 and 6:45-52 we see Jesus exercising authority over nature – the wind and the sea. We see his power over demons, a shadow of his power over eternity (5:1-20). We see Jesus exercise his power over death as he raised Jairus’ daughter (5:21-43). In Mark 5:25-34 and in 6:53-56 we see Him exercise authority over disease. Finally, Jesus performed a great miracle in the feeding of the 5000 (6:30-52). However, in every case, Jesus does not use his authority to conquer or dominate others, but instead He used His power to serve others. What a contrast to the authorities of the day, particularly the Caesars! Jesus lived to serve.

Old Testament reading: Genesis 38-40

After being introduced to Joseph in our last reading (Gen 37), and seeing the despicable way in which both he and Israel were treated by his older brothers, the narrative turns back to Judah and his deceitful treatment of his daughter in law, Tamar (Gen 38). Of note is our first exposure to what would eventually become known as the Levirate Law (Deut 25:5), wherein a younger brother goes into his elder brother’s widow to raise up an heir to the deceased. Judah is eventually brought face to face with his error, and acknowledges that Tamar “has been more righteous than I” (38:26). After these things, the remaining Genesis narrative turns to the life and death of Joseph in Egypt, with his brothers and father playing supporting roles in the account. In Genesis 39-40, we read of the rise and “fall” of Joseph in Egypt and the continuing theme of Joseph’s life: things that were intended to be evil against Joseph always worked themselves out for his good and the good of others. In like fashion, we should always give consideration that our troubles should also eventually work to our good and the benefit of others.

New Testament reading: Mark 3-4

“I’m afraid I’ve committed blasphemy against the Holy Spirit!” Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, (a.k.a. “the unforgivable sin” – 3:20-30) has troubled the minds of countless souls through the years. I have read articles and commentaries and listened to sermons on the subject of the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. I have received dozens of inquiries through the years, many by those who fear they have somehow committed “the unforgivable sin.” If you are among them, be of good cheer! Mark’s statement in verse 30 forever puts to rest the notion that this sin can be committed today. Those who witnessed Jesus casting out demons accused Him of so doing by the power of the Devil. Only the hardest of hearts could witness such a magnificent miracle and attribute such to the power of Satan. Moreover, Jesus rebuked them for their logical inconsistency – If Satan is casting out Satan, then his kingdom or house cannot stand. We should not live in fear of committing this sin today, for we cannot witness the miracles of Jesus and attribute them to the Devil.

Old Testament reading: Genesis 35-37

Jacob gets a new name. Upon commanding Jacob to return home to Bethel live there, God gives this great patriarch a new name – Israel. This name means “one who contends with God.” The name comes from Jacob’s wrestling with God back in chapter 32. In this account, the Lord says to him, “You have struggled (contended) with God and with men and have prevailed” (32:28; cf Hos 12:4). Each of the three great patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, had names assigned to them by God. Only Isaac’s name was given at birth (Gen 17:19). Each name was associated with some event connected to their lives. Abram (high father) became Abraham (father of a multitude). Isaac means laughter, as both of his parents laughed at the idea of having a child at such a late age. Also in our reading we see Reuben going in to his father’s concubine (35:21-22), and Israel says nothing of it until he speaks to his sons at his death (49:3-4). Unlike his name, Jacob seems to be a man not given to contention or confrontation, perhaps even to the point of what some might call cowardice. You recall Genesis 34 and Jacob’s reluctance to deal with Shechem and his treachery with Dinah. When his sons finally took matters into their own hands to defend their sister’s honor, Jacob appears more concerned with what others think of him than Dinah’s defilement.

New Testament reading: Mark 1-2

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” So opens Mark’s gospel account. While some might think that Mark would begin with the birth of Jesus, he instead goes straight to the ministry of John the Baptizer, “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” (1:3). Of note is the reference to  John’s baptism as being “for the remission of sins” (1:4). John was the forerunner of Jesus, therefore those things which he taught and enjoined upon his listeners would have been consistent with what the Lord and His disciples would teach afterward. John’s baptism paved the way for that of Jesus’ in that God connected it to the forgiveness of sins. Baptism “in the name of Jesus” (Acts 10:48, 19:5) is the baptism commanded by Jesus, which makes one a disciple (Matt 28:19) and brings salvation (Mark 16:16).

Old Testament reading: Genesis 32-34

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). This verse is beautifully illustrated in the lives of Jacob and Esau as they are reconciled after many years of separation. Fearing his brother’s wrath is still not subsided after many years, Jacob divides his family, servants and possessions in the event of attack. Jacob’s prayer for deliverance (32:9-12) is an exhibition of his faith in God’s promise (31:3), but exhibits little faith in his brother. Arranging for a succession of gifts to assuage Esau’s anger, Jacob comes to realize his fear was completely unfounded. What a beautiful picture is painted that after the passage of so much “water under the bridge” that Esau comes to realize that a relationship with his brother far exceeds any physical blessing he may have earlier forfeited. Perhaps Esau came to remember and realize that in his hastiness he received that to which he had agreed. Too many families remained estranged over various faults and accusations. Whether real or perceived, we should strive to have the heart of Esau as witnessed in today’s reading.

New Testament reading: Matthew 27-28 

Today’s reading contains my reason for living. The gospel is the good news. In our text we see for the first time the declaration of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead:  “He is not here, for He is risen, as He said” (28:6). If Jesus is not risen from the dead, then our faith is nothing but an exercise in futility and we are still in our sins (1 Cor 15:17). But Paul declared without equivocation, “now Christ is risen from the dead” (1 Cor 15:20). What a horrible thought to have within us the inner witness of sin (cf Rom 2:14-15) with no hope or divine instruction regarding a remedy for the same. What emptiness! What despair! But our faith in the resurrection of Jesus, and the picturing of the same in our own death, burial and resurrection (Rom 6:3-7), fills the void created by Satan and sin. As the words of that old Gaither song say, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow; Because He lives, all fear is gone.” Every day should be lived in service and praise to God because Jesus lives!