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.

Fear of the LORD Compells His Children to Run Towards Him When They Are Afraid or Ashamed

Today’s Reading: Exodus 27; John 6; Proverbs 3; Galatians 2

Exodus 27:20–21
* Moving outward from the “most holy place,” the description addresses the construction of the altar, courtyard, and the lamp.

John 6:26–29
* Jesus’ teaching gets quickly more difficult in this passage. He is the “bread of life,” but soon after he tells them they must eat his flesh and drink his blood. The turning point seems to be that so many would follow him for the wrong reasons.

Proverbs 3:5–8
* The cost of trusting the LORD is that you must accept your lack of wisdom. Acknowledging him in all your ways means that you fear him and repent of your sin. Interestingly, the fear of the LORD means that you turn towards him, rather than running away, when you are most afraid.

Galatians 2:15–21
* Here we have a concise passage on justification by faith and not by works. Paul shows how those who would insist on justification by law-keeping are, in fact, “rebuilding” what Christ came to set us free from.

Though the Word Is True and Sufficient for Our Faith, It Cannot Contain All That Is True about God

Today’s Reading: Exodus 26; John 5; Proverbs 2; Galatians 1

Exodus 26:30–35
* Even with all this detail, we find that God’s plans are more specific. It is a good reminder that the Word, though true and sufficient for our faith, cannot contain all that is true about God’s plans, much less about God himself.

John 5:14–17
* Jesus defends his healing on the Sabbath, not by arguing that healing is acceptable on the Sabbath, but by claiming to have the same freedom and authority (even necessity!) to work on the Sabbath as the Father has. Note: the Son and the Father are equal and yet distinct persons.

Proverbs 2:1–5
* While Wisdom calls in the streets to be heard, we must go hard after wisdom ourselves. Seeking wisdom does not happen in a vacuum; it is built on received words and commandments. And wisdom is not an end unto itself, but its fruit is the fear and knowledge of the LORD.

Galatians 1:6–10
* Instead of writing a prayer for the letter’s recipient, like in most of his letters, Paul transitions abruptly from his opening greetings to a shocking accusation that the Galatians have abandoned the Gospel. See Acts 15:1 for a summary statement of the “Judaizers’ gospel.”

Just Because Jesus Knows the Truth Doesn’t Mean Jesus Is Not Waiting to Hear You Confess It

Today’s Reading: Exodus 25; John 4; Proverbs 1; 2 Corinthians 13

Exodus 25:17–22
* The mercy seat is on the top of the ark of the covenant; it gives a source to the expression that the Lord is “enthroned upon the cherubim.”

John 4:16–26
* Jesus doesn’t reveal all he knows, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know. And just because he knows doesn’t mean that he doesn’t want you to confess.

Proverbs 1:2–7
* Famously, the central theme of the book of Proverbs is the “fear of the LORD” as the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. We just finished reading Job, a book also about wisdom, and also about the wisdom of man’s humility before God as the sovereign over creation.

2Cor 13:5–9
* Paul encourages the Corinthians to examine themselves, instead of making judgments about others—least of all Paul himself. By reaffirming their own faith, they will surely conclude also that Paul, too, “passes the test.”

Be Content with Your Weakness, and Trust in Christ’s Strength

Today’s Reading: Exodus 24; John 3; Job 42; 2 Corinthians 12

Exodus 24:3–8
* The covenant through Moses is confirmed with a sacrifice. See Heb. 9:18–22.

John 3:16–21
* Notice especially: it is not by rejecting Christ that someone is condemned. All who do not believe are under condemnation already. Rejecting Christ is not the only sin worthy of judgment—though it is the sin that seals that judgment.

Job 42:1–6
* Here is Job’s final submission to God. This is an old, old lesson, but still today we are quick to challenge the governance of God over his own universe.

2Cor 12:9–10
* Contentedness with our own weaknesses is a sign of our faith in Christ’s power.

Jesus Brings the Good Wine to the Wedding Feast

Today’s Reading: Exodus 23; John 2; Job 41; 2 Corinthians 11

Exodus 23:6–8
* God cares about justice, and so should we. Incidentally, verse 7b is a pretty clear categorical statement that answers the argument that God can simply forgive without the need for justice.

John 2:6–11
* If we can accept that wine is a symbol of joy and celebration (not drunkenness and debauchery), then we can see that Jesus miraculously provides joy at the wedding feast. That really opens up the significance of the passage, doesn’t it?

Job 41:8–11
* God created even the most terrifying of creatures—like the mysterious Leviathan. How much more should God be feared if a mere mortal were to stand before him?

2Cor 11:23–30
* While other false apostles brag about being superior to Paul, he answers their boasting with some of his own. So, he boasts about his weakness, his foolishness, his failures, his disappointments. He isn’t great; God’s grace towards him is.