If You Are Not Fighting against the Darkness, You Are Losing

Today’s Reading: Exodus 37; John 16; Proverbs 13; Ephesians 6

Exodus 37:1–9
* We’ve already been introduced to Bezalel (35:30–34). Earlier we were told how he was filled with the Spirit of God to do this very work.

John 16:7–15
* When Jesus says that, until he goes away, the Helper (Spirit) will not come, he is not talking simply about a trading of positions, but about how his death, resurrection, and ascension will prepare the way for the day of Pentecost, and every indwelling of the Spirit that follows.

Proverbs 13:7–13
* One of the themes of Scripture is that the Truth is often contrary to appearance and expectation. These observations are true, even on a literal level, but can also work figuratively, if read in light of the Gospel, for example.

Ephesians 6:10–12
* We are no match for the spiritual forces of darkness, but they in turn are no match for the power of God. Our only hope is God, and he is a sure hope.

Spiritual Fruit Is the Result of Abiding in Christ and Is for the Purpose of Glorifying the Father

Today’s Reading: Exodus 36; John 15; Proverbs 12; Ephesians 5

Exodus 36:2–7
* As the people respond to the lavish grace of the LORD, they must be commanded—get this—to stop bringing offerings!

John 15:4–8
* Disciples are “proven” by abiding in Christ and glorifying the Father as they bear much fruit. Notice how spiritual fruit is the result of Christ’s presence and for the purpose of glorifying the Father.

Proverbs 12:1–3
* That first verse gets me every time. The way I react when someone corrects me or points out my failure or weakness will demonstrate my wisdom or foolishness.

Ephesians 5:15–21
* When reading verses 15–17, we shouldn’t forget that we just read from Proverbs (about wisdom). Just as abiding in Christ means fruit, being filled with the Spirit means fruit—worship, thankfulness, mutual submission. And likewise, these things “prove” our unity with Christ and with each other.

Our Motivation to Obey Christ Must Be Our Love For Him

Today’s Reading: Exodus 35; John 14; Proverbs 11; Ephesians 4

Exodus 35:20–22
* The renewal of the covenant is validated by the freewill offerings of the people. Notice, especially, how gold—which was used to build the golden calf—is the first offering.

John 14:15–21
* Our motivation to obey Christ must be our love for him. If we do not love him, we won’t obey him… even if it looks like obedience.

Proverbs 11:16–21
* Just as wisdom and foolishness are opposed to each other, so are graciousness and violence, kindness and cruelty, wickedness and righteousness, crookedness and blamelessness, etc.

Ephesians 4:1–7
* The first three chapters of Ephesians deal with theological foundations—creation, sovereignty, sin, grace, faith, Gospel, Church, etc. Now, we begin the application section, necessarily built on the foundation of the teaching that has come before.

Wisdom and Foolishness Are Fundamentally Different in Their Fears and Desires

Today’s Reading: Exodus 34; John 13; Proverbs 10; Ephesians 3

Exodus 34:5–9
* We may read over this passage with a Sunday school yawn, but instead, we should wonder at God’s forgiveness. The story is not that 3000 were judged, but that the rest were forgiven and renewed.

John 13:6–10
* Speaking of having appropriate wonder, here the Divine Son and Lord over all Creation, took the posture and role of a slave, washing the feet of the disciples (even his betrayer). A few verses later he will explain that such humility is exactly what is expected of his disciples.

Proverbs 10:23–25
* Wisdom and foolishness are fundamentally different in fears and desires.

Ephesians 3:6–12
* The mystery of the Gospel is no longer a mystery because Christ has revealed the wisdom of God. Christ’s incarnation, life, death, and resurrection—though prophesied—was still a shocking solution to the problem of sin.

Salvation Is Not the Result of Works, But It Will Bear the Fruit of Works

Today’s Reading: Exodus 33; John 12; Proverbs 9; Ephesians 2

Exodus 33:7–11
* The 3000 deaths were a measure of judgment against the people for their idolatry, but they weren’t the only consequences. Notice how the placement of the tent where Moses meets with the LORD is now way outside the camp instead of in the midst of the people.

John 12:44–50
* To believe in Jesus means to believe in the Father because the words of Christ are the message the Father sent him to share.

Proverbs 9:7–10
* The ability to receive instruction joyfully is a sure sign of wisdom.

Ephesians 2:1–10
* While we have only sin to bring to the table, God’s rich mercy and great love produce the gracious means of our salvation. We deserve wrath, but God gives us grace.

To Fear of the LORD Is to Love What He Loves and the Hate What He Hates

Today’s Reading: Exodus 32; John 11; Proverbs 8; Ephesians 1

Exodus 32:1–6
* Yesterday, we read how God cares so much about artistry and craftsmanship that he sends his Spirit to inspire people with ability, intelligence, and knowledge. And what do they do in the next chapter? Make the golden calf.

John 11:21–27
* Jesus has already indicated to his disciples, and again to Martha here, that Lazarus’s death (and resurrection) was for their faith. Lazarus could have died, and stayed dead. Jesus was not obligated to call him to life. But he did—to demonstrate his authority over death, for his followers to grow in faith.

Proverbs 8:12–17
* “Fear of the LORD” (that is, wisdom) means loving what God loves and hating what God hates. Note how the promise in verse 17 is very similar to James 1:5.

Ephesians 1:3–14
* Paul lays the foundation (pardon the pun) for the rest of his letter (not to mention his faith) by establishing the blessedness of God and his purposes for glory in creation and redemptive history. All of Paul’s theology flows from these thoughts. Beautiful.

The Good Shepherd’s Sheep Know His Voice, and Even More Will Hear and Follow

Today’s Reading: Exodus 31; John 10; Proverbs 7; Galatians 6

Exodus 31:1–5
* This chapter addresses the Sabbath at length, and it includes the giving of the tablets to Moses. But I love the passage at the beginning about how the craftsmen and artists are filled with the Spirit.

John 10:11–18
* Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He knows his sheep, even the ones who are not of his fold (i.e. non-Jews). He knows them, he must bring them, and they will listen. Encouraging words for any of us Gentiles…

Proverbs 7:4–9
* This passage, and the theme of adultery throughout the Proverbs, is chillingly applicable to today’s world.

Galatians 6:1–10
* Here Paul describes, in more specific terms, the life of those who walk in the Spirit. Just as Christ is the sin- and burden-bearer, we are to bear each other’s burdens. By doing so, we are more Christ-like, and the means Christ uses to care for his people. Awesome.

Freedom in Christ Is Freedom from the Law and Freedom to Love

Today’s Reading: Exodus 30; John 9; Proverbs 6; Galatians 5

Exodus 30:30–33
* Along with the directions for the incense altar, census offering, anointing oil and wash basin comes this warning about misusing the oil. Notice how the warning addresses the responsibility of the anointer, not the anointed.

John 9:1–7
* Verse 3 is one of my favorite statements about the relationship between our weaknesses (even physical disabilities) and God’s glory.

Proverbs 6:16–19
* The purpose of the six-seven construction to this proverb is to emphasize the last item in the list. Perhaps the first six items are more obvious, but the father wants to warn his son especially about the last one. Notice how “sowing discord” relates to the verses before.

Galatians 5:16–23
* I could read this chapter over and over again. Paul is defining freedom in Christ, especially as it relates to law and love, flesh and spirit. Two things work against faith: seeking righteousness though obedience to the Law; indulging in the flesh. Both ways reject freedom in Christ.

We Must be Born by Miracle to be Children of the Promise

Today’s Reading: Exodus 29; John 8; Proverbs 5; Galatians 4

Exodus 29:38–42
* Two lamb sacrifices are required of the priests each day in the Old Testament. When the Lamb of God comes, he sacrifices himself once, and it is sufficient for all sin. See Hebrews 10:11–14.

John 8:54–59
* For most of the chapter, the Jews never quite understand what Jesus is saying. But when he claims to be from before Abraham, using the present tense (“I am”), they clearly accept it as a claim to deity, though they still reject his claim.

Proverbs 5:20–23
* The basis for blessing in right relationships is the same basis for fear of judgment in unrighteous relationships: nothing escapes the view of the LORD.

Galatians 4:21–28
* Interestingly, Paul’s argument states that the present-day Jews (though literally children of Isaac) correspond with the children of the flesh, while the believers are children of the promise, like Isaac. We must be born by miracle to be children of the promise.

People Are Quick to Reject the Christ When He Doesn’t Fulfill the Scriptures the Way They Expect

Today’s Reading: Exodus 28; John 7; Proverbs 4; Galatians 3

Exodus 28:40–43
* Next, Moses is given directions for the priestly garments, for Aaron and his sons. Notice especially, how God regularly refers to the issue of guilt and judgment throughout the passage.

John 7:40–43
* One of the big controversies of this chapter is that Jesus comes from Galilee when everyone knows the Christ comes from Bethlehem. Of course, Jesus did come from Bethlehem. The people are expecting him to fulfill the Scriptures only in the way they expect and rejecting him when he doesn’t.

Proverbs 4:18–19
* One of the recurring constructions in Proverbs is the choice between the path of the righteous and the path of the wicked. I love how the light of the righteous grows by nature—a nice perspective on sanctification.

Galatians 3:9–14
* It’s worth noting that in just a few verses, Paul shows how the true Gospel is present throughout the Old Testament, including Genesis, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Habakkuk.