Purity Has More To Do With the Heart Than With How Others Interpret the Appearance

Today’s Reading: Exodus 40; John 19; Proverbs 16; Philippians 3

Exodus 40:34–38
* Consider the indwelling of the glory of the Lord in light of the indwelling of the Spirit in the New Testament.

John 19:30–37
* John’s description of Jesus’ death on the cross includes a flurry of fulfillments. This makes sense because, in his death, Christ is finishing the Father’s will.

Proverbs 16:1–6
* For a person’s ways to be pure, it has more to do with the heart than the appearance of good intentions.

Philippians 3:7–11
* Since righteousness comes by faith, anything but Christ, who is the object of saving faith, is worthless, especially status, success, and good works.

We Must Remind Ourselves that Godliness and Love Are More Significant than Wealth and Prosperity

Today’s Reading: Exodus 39; John 18; Proverbs 15; Philippians 2

Exodus 39:42–43
* Though Bezalel oversaw “all the work of the Tabernacle” (v. 32), the record makes clear that many people (even all the people) were involved in completing the work.

John 18:36-38
* After Jesus claims to have an other-worldly kingdom and an authority over the Truth, Pilate shrugs off Jesus’ claims, as if they were of no consequence. Ironically, he dismisses absolute truth in the face of the One who is Truth incarnate!

Proverbs 15:15–17
* Celebrating the blessings of God at all times means having the right perspective on your circumstances. Godliness and love are more significant than wealth and prosperity.

Philippians 2:1-4
* If you are in Christ and have the same Spirit, have the same mind, the same love, following the example of Christ, especially in his humility.

To Show Love, You Must Be Able to Identify What Is Most Important

Today’s Reading: Exodus 38; John 17; Proverbs 14; Philippians 1

Exodus 38:21–23
* After the description of the construction of the Tabernacle, led by Bezalel (filled with the Spirit), Exodus gives the official record of the leaders and the materials used.

John 17:20–23
* Chapter 17 is known as the high priestly prayer of Jesus. In his prayer, Jesus prays for himself, for his disciples, and then, wonderfully, for future believers (that’s us).

Proverbs 14:29–34
* Many proverbs show wisdom in terms of being like God (v. 29), honoring God (v. 31), and pleasing God (and so receiving a reward, v. 32).

Philippians 1:9–11
* Paul prays for love to grow in the Philippians. But for love to grow, it must be accompanied with knowledge and discernment. To show love, you must be able to identify what is excellent; otherwise, you may mean to be kind but, instead, do harm.

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.