Exodus 39:1-40:38 + Mark 1:1-28 + Psalm 35:1-16 + Proverbs 9:11-12
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Big reading day today! We wrap up the book of Exodus and begin the Gospel of Mark! Below is an amazing piece of art by Pat Marvenko Smith for the very last verse of the book of Exodus, chapter 40 verse 38: “So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels.”
To order prints visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site.
Old Testament – Today is the final day of readings from Exodus. I hope that your reading this past month about the Israelites Exodus from Egypt and their emergence as a nation under Moses’ leadership has been a good learning experience for you? It has been for me – thanks in large measure to the wonderful Comments everyone is posting up each day! Thanks everyone. More than anything – I hope that reading about God’s interactions with His covenant people in Egypt, the plagues, the Red Sea, the manna from heaven, the Ten Commandments, and the plans for the Tabernacle has expanded your understanding of who God is and God’s story? If anyone wants to reflect back on what may have been an interesting learning for you in Exodus this year, please do post up in the Comments section below.
Personally, a couple of learnings for me this year from Exodus that I will share are these – 1. Moses’ leadership really stood out to me this year as I read through Exodus. And it was interesting to me that his leadership grew over time. Early on in Exodus Moses was saying to God to “please don’t choose me to free the Israelites from Egypt – pick someone else” and then by the end of the book Moses has gained enough faith to fast for 40 days on Mt. Sinai and enough confidence to ask God to “show me your glory.” I think we can see in Moses how God can transform a person’s life completely – and how God can transform our lives completely – if that person enters into a responsive, faithful, loving and obedient relationship with God. Point #2 of my learnings this year – my interest and knowledge in some of the intricacies of the tabernacle has grown, which has been wonderful. Bible.org’s commentary on Exodus chapter 40 titled “The Consecration of the Tabernacle and the Presence of God” is at this link.
New Testament – Yesterday I didn’t really get a chance to post up my closing reflections on the Gospel of Matthew this year. I think the main thing that really stood out to me in the Gospel of Matthew readings this year was how powerfully truthful and insightful Jesus’ teachings are in the parables. Some of the parables really took on new life & meaning for me this year as I read through Matthew. It is such an amazing thing – every time I read the Bible – or re-read portions of the Bible I should say – I gain some new insight that I never saw before. I hope that has been the case for you as you read through Matthew this year? Please feel free to post up any closing reflections on your reading of the book of Matthew in the Comments below if you’d like. And today we begin the Gospel of Mark!
~Mark~
Author: Mark
Place: Rome
Date: A.D. 60-65
Content: John Mark was a companion of the apostle Paul. He finally settled in Rome where he wrote down the remembrances of the apostle Peter. Thus Mark’s Gospel reflects the words of an eyewitness of the events he describes. Mark’s purpose was to put together an expanded Gospel message. Hence it centers upon the acts of Jesus rather than his words and devotes a disproportionately large amount of material to the last week of Jesus’ life. Mark’s Gospel begins with Jesus’ public ministry and preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Several explicit predictions of his coming death are made (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33-34, 45) and then Jesus goes to the cross to die for the sins of the world.
Theme: Mark depicts Jesus as the Servant of God who came to do God’s will. The miracles, healings, victory over demons, and personal power show the world that Jesus was no ordinary servant, but was truly the Son of God (Mark 15:39). Jesus’ resurrection authenticated all that he did, and now we await his return in glory from heaven. Mark also wrote to encourage the Roman Christians in a time of persecution. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pages 21-22) Excellent commentary on the Gospel of Mark is at this link.
You’ll notice in Mark chapter 1 today that there is no nativity narrative – Mark and John’s Gospels do not have the nativity narrative. Verse 1 starts off powerfully with: “Here begins the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.” (Good News = Gospel. Gospel comes from the Old English word godspel, which means “good story” or “good tidings” or “good news” and accurately translates the original Greek word: evangelion.) And what is the Good News? It is that God has provided salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is very Good News indeed!
I know I mentioned this when we read through the Baptism narrative in Matthew, but I think this is so powerful, that I want to mention it again. All three persons of the Trinity are involved in Jesus’ Baptism – 1. the Father speaks 2. the Son is Baptized 3. the Holy Spirit descends on the Son. Verses 10 & 11: “And when Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens split open and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven saying, “You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you.”” Per Tyndale’s commentary today, Jesus was baptized 1. to begin his mission to bring the message of salvation to all people; 2. to show support for John’s ministry; 3. to identify with our humanness and sin; 4. to give us an example to follow.
Bible Project: Here is a terrific video overview of the book of Mark!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGHqu9-DtXk
Psalms – Per the NIV Study Bible, Psalm 35 today is an appeal to the heavenly King, as divine Warrior and Judge, to come to the defense of his servant David who is being maliciously slandered by those toward whom he had shown only the most tender friendship. I like verse 10 a lot: “I will praise him from the bottom of my heart: “LORD, who can compare with you? Who else rescues the weak and helpless from the strong? Who else protects the poor and needy from those who want to rob them?”” Have you recently praised God from the bottom of your heart? Do you think that anyone/anything compares with God? Do you believe that God has rescued you and protected you? Perhaps many times when you have not even realized it? I think about this on occasion. It is my hunch that God literally rescues us and protects us dozens if not hundreds if not thousands of times each and every day. And I think we typically miss it…. If we knew it, I am sure we would be praising Him from the bottom of our heart very frequently!
Proverbs – Today we read in Proverbs chapter 9 verse 12: “If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.” This is one of the simplest and yet wisest verses that has jumped out at me in a long time! Do you believe this Proverb to be true? How about if we go one step beyond this Proverb – If we become wise, will it also benefit others around us? Maybe based on how we will live our lives? And conversely, if we don’t acquire wisdom would it be fair to say that others around us may suffer? Could it be that gaining wisdom is both a self-giving and self-less pursuit all at the same time?
Worship Video: Our readings in Mark today reminded me of Jeremy Camp’s song “We Give you Glory:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T6yGKhxOG0
Who are you giving glory to these days? Click here and meet true Glory!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on three verses of Scripture today: “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”” Mark 1:9-11 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you would always have faith that Jesus is God and that the Holy Spirit is God and that the Father is God. Pray that you would worship our Triune God, Father, Son and Spirit each and every day.
Comments from you & Question of the Day: What are some things about the book of Exodus, which we are wrapping up today, or the Gospel of Matthew that we wrapped up yesterday, that stood out to you this year? What new thing did you learn about God and his people in Exodus this year? What new thing did you learn about Jesus and his teachings in Matthew this year? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
======= Ramona:
Exodus 39-40:38
John 14: 15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever
Commands, commandments run through The Book of Exodus: The giving of the Decalogue and the laws. In the entire Book of Exodus, in the New Living Translation, the word “Commanded” (“The Lord has commanded,” Just as the Lord commanded” or some variations there of) is used thirty-five times and in today’s two chapters, seventeen times! Love may include emotion but love is not an emotion it is a verb and that verb is an action, which is obedience to the Word of God.
Our comments have been about either directly or indirectly about obedience. Obedience in following the Great Commission, obedience in using the gifts, talents and abilities, as well as our time to doing what God has called us to do, that is what we seem to be focusing on or drawn to as we read through the scriptures these past couple of days. Whether it is in building the Tabernacle, in the past, or submitting our time, talent and treasurer to God, the last word is Obedience.
Probably because that has been the single most constant thread I believe that runs through the majority of our posts for the past several days, the following verse caught my eye and imagination,
So all the work of the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, was completed, and the Israelites did according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses they did it exactly so. (Exodus 39:32 NET.)
Because my imagination was fired up regarding obedience, I went on a little word hunt.
In the Hebrew, the majority of time we read the English word “obey” in the Old Testament (KJV), it is this word, as per Strongs:
H8085
שׁמע
shâma‛
shaw-mah’
A primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively to tell, etc.)
Mike what have I learned in reading Exodus this time around. I’ve learned the power of obedience. It is not what I think or even what I want, it is what God says. And it is just not about going and doing. It is about giving careful thought and interacting with what God has said; and the only way I can do that is to not just to listen but to hear intelligently. Listening and hearing are two separate things.
Mark 1:1-28
8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!” I think that it would surprise a lot of Christians to know that Jews, Orthodox Jews, Baptize. Hasidic Jews, well the ones in NYC, specifically in Brooklyn, even actively seek converts from outside of the “Jewish” community. I’m not sure which sect this is but I know they live in an area of Brooklyn called, Crown Heights. They have buses converted to portable tanks, called Mitzvah (my spelling may be wrong) Tanks where they Baptize their converts or secular Jews turning back to the “faith.” (Thought this was just an interesting fact and I don’t really think it added anything “spiritual” except to understand that it’s the change of heart that makes the Baptism in water not the Baptism in water that makes the change of heart)
Mark’s telling of the calling of the “First Disciples” Simon (Peter), his brother Andrew and the two boys known as the Sons of Thunder, James and John I noticed that all were business man actively working. I don’t think Jesus called anyone who was not occupied either in a business, vocation or a cause, Simon the Zealot. It seems Jesus uses those who have found something to do with their hands, heads and feet.
And when Jesus went to church, the synagogue, everyone there wasn’t holy ‘cause a demon-possessed man was in the pew. Guys everyone sitting in church ain’t of God.
Job 1:6 One day the angels [Hebrew the sons of God.] came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan the Accuser came with them. (NLT)
So if the Devil shows up in your place of Worship be sure that the Christ in you casts him out.
Psalm 35:1-16
There is nothing worse than having what you thought were your friends turn against you. Sometimes we think that the things that have happened to us just happen to us, but here David writes about his experiences and the emotions he felt when those he counted as his friends turned against him and desired to see harm come to him. It’s wonderful to know that great men of faith walked what we walk and faced what we faced, we are not alone in being hit with trials and tribulations, and we are not alone because Jesus is always with us.
Proverbs 9:11-12
12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
This is an awesome statement. Although the wise or foolish decisions we make will affect others, the greatest weight falls on the ones who are wise or foolish. Consequences will follow the decision maker for the rest of their lives, while the ones that were and are affected can grow to make different choices based on their own wisdom or foolishness.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======== Luch:
Further to the obedience theme, I noticed again in reading my NLT version of Exodus 39:1-40:38 that the phrase “just as the LORD had commanded Moses” is used at least 12 times, and if you count the previous couple of chapters it goes up to 17, but who’s counting? In my Life group the other night we noticed that right from the beginning in Genesis 2:15ff thte LORD God gave Adam and Eve explicit commands. We live in a society that hates the word ‘obedience’ or ‘commands’. But how about John 14:21 a verse my mentor gave me right out of the blocks when I first began to follow Jesus in 1974. “Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. and I will reveal myself to each of them.” The bottom line, and I think is my big lesson from Exodus, the more we obey in the details, the greater the possibility of experiencing the presence of the Lord.
I love the last verse of Exodus 39:43 where it says that Moses inspected all their work AND BLESSED THEM…I was encouraged by this simple leadership idea that as a spiritual leader I need to make sure I am concretely blessing those in my sphere of influence with words and deeds of appreciation.
Luch
======= Anka:
The book of exodus to me showed how God used people inspite of their weakness,inspite of excuses and fear…even when in anger Moses threw away the tablets of stone,God gave him another chance…when Aaron made himself a priest to the idols he made…God still gave him a second chance.I just love it that God still is full of compassion and mercy inspite of us.
God bless you all
Anka
======= John:
Exodus -What I learned:
There was a reason for each plague thrown against Egypt. I always just thought they were from “bad to worse to worst”.
I had no idea that each plague was directed at a particular god of Egypt. And the last plague was a foreshadowing of Christ – with the first born being killed, and innocent blood shed, so people could be saved (delivered). A divine stamp of God’s “Authority and Power”.
Exodus in my life:
1) Patience: Moses spent 40 years in Midian, and Israelites spent 40 years in Wilderness. I need to trust God and have patience as his plan unfolds in my life. Sometimes, that is very difficult. Like a baby, I often want things done for me and to me – right NOW.
2)Obediance: Already addressed by others. I think it is important to also recognize that disobediance has consequences.
3)Deliverance: Exodus opens with Israelites in captivity in Egypt and ends with the glorious presence of God in the Tabernacle. I am so thankful that I have been delivered from the “slavery of sin” and will eventually be brought into the glory of his presence. Meanwhile, while on my journey I am indwelt by the Holy spirit – my body is now the tabernacle, and His Glory is in me.
John
======= John:
Matthew lessons:
This blog is fantastic. It not only has kept me on track in my One Year Readings, but the posts have been terrific. Sometimes I read and think “Great insight”, or maybe I will think “that can’t be right” and go off and research the point. Either way I am led to a deeper reflection or study of God’s Word – and that my friends – is a Good Thing.
I never really thought about the “Great Commission” before yesterday. I knew it existed, and I thought some day I will get involved in missions on a personal level. But I never understood the depth of the command and the obligation for “teaching them to obey(observe)…” in a complete fashion (aorist tense discussion).
A huge thank-you to Andrew for being the catalyst that launched me down that path of discovery.
This blog fulfills one of my desires regarding Christianity. I have always been intrigued with the “Inklings” of C.S. Lewis and Tolkein. The weekly meeting group at Oxford, that sat and discussed topics regarding “faith”. There was not always agreement, but there WAS always an expression of different thoughts. I have prayed about this often the last 20 months.
Well, God is generous and good, and He gave to me in abundance. I asked for a weekly meeting group with an open exchange of ideas, and he led me here – to a daily group. Seven (7) times more than I asked for in prayer.
John
======= Ramona:
John,
As I read your post, tears welled up in my eyes. I know fully what you are feeling. Several years ago I became involved in a bible study group in a church, not the one I call my home, I was a teacher and amazed at the biblical literacy that permeated throughout leadership. As I stood in the middle of the floor that served as a fellowship hall, something in my spirit spoke to me about being a part of a One-Year-Bible Group/Study. At that time I thought I was suppose to begin one there but I didn’t know how?
I had to travel almost two hours each way to get to this church and it seemed to me that almost everyone there had no intent in studying God’s Word. They would rather work from what they thought God wanted, instead of what God’s Word said. This happened back in 1999.
Little did I know that what I heard would manifest itself fully this year. 2 years ago, I went through two groups/sits that professed to have a heart for going through the bible, but what they had was a desire to form a “pity” party. This journey confirms that knocking, seeking and asking works.
Ramona
======= Anka:
I also feel especially grateful to God for the oportunity to be here.When I realised almost every one here’s a seasoned christian and nobody seemed to mind my childish questions,I really felt blessed indeed.
I do really appreciate you all and as I pray for christians to unite,I see it happening already.God is amazing.
God bless you all
Anka
======= Andrew:
Anka,
Faced with the glory of almighty God (the way Moses was on the mountain) I think we are all pretty childish.
Anyway, childlike is cool in the Kingdom. And all questions seeking the truth are good questions.
Blessings,
Andrew
======== John:
Mark:
I have never read Mark straight through before now. I used to think of it as being “so” sparse and bare. As such, I would reference it, but never read it completely.
Matthew was written for the Jewish nation, Mark is written for the Gentiles, specifically Romans. Matthew writes of Jesus as “King”, Mark as a “servant”.
The Romans were people of power and action. They wanted to know of this servant: “Is Jesus able to do the job?” – J. Vernon McGee
As such, the Romans were not interested in geneolgy or pedigree. They wanted references.
Mark gives them two (rare for him) Old Testament references in Isaiah and Malachi of the forerunner to Christ.
But straightaway in the Gospel – two give witness that Jesus is the Son of God. What better references than God himself in Mk.1:10-11, and the unclean spirit (demon) in Mk 1:23-24. Two supernatural sources, that would make people sit up and take notice.
Jesus’ first miracle of casting out the unclean spirit demonstrated his power. He taught as one who had authority, but this miracle demonstrated that Jesus HAD the Power and Authority as one who is the “Son of God”.
John
======= Andrew:
Re things learned so far this year:
The main thing for me, I think, is a deeper appreciaion of the OT. In some ways I still find it odd that there is so much of it by comparison with the NT. However, I am now getting a better perspective of the OT as the context for the New.
The whole history of a troublesome people told through the OT makes it clear why the only way for God to get through to us was for Jesus to come and accept being Himself the atoning sacrifice for our sin.
Exodus is explaining the whole concept of of atoning sacrifice – so remote from our experience. We really need to try to smell the blood, the smoke and the burning flesh. And Jesus says, “that is now done with, this bread is my body, broken for you, this wine in my blood shed for you.” Images from the film “The Passion ..” rerun in my head.
And we symbolise all of that with a wafer or a fragment of bread and a sip of wine from a chalice. It makes it all seem so remote and abstract.
The detailed description of the Tabernacle and the whole sacrifice routine has grounded it for me in an earthy reality.
Andrew
======= Sammy:
The thought that resonated most deeply with me today concerned the detail with which the tabernacle was constructed, consecrated and dedicated to receive God’s Glory…yet, as great as it was, we, as believers, are today God’s temple. Should the detail of our lives, our consecration and our dedication be any less since we have God’s Glory in the form of His Holy Spirit within us?
Sammy
======= Stef:
do you know what has been fantastic? up till now i have only read the Old Testament in portions that were relevant for a sermon or a Bible study etc so this is the first time i am reading the whole story and im finding it so exciting..seeing exactly where everyone fits in chronologically and my eyes being opened to the reasons behind events that happened..reading your write up and everyone elses comments has broadened my outlook as well( i love reading all your comments and the style becomes familiar as friends i find myself guessing who posted what comment before i get to the name :-))..i think more than anything else Exodus has brought home to ne the awesome fact that our God is Holy and that we need to give Him honour and reverence.
Stef
======= Laura:
I too took notice of the nearly rhythmic repetition of “as Yahweh had commanded Moses.” Yahweh speaking/commanding and the people hearing/doing reminded me of a dance–a very different perspective to bring into Leviticus.
Let the dance begin.
Laura
====== Jim:
the Reading and absorbing GOD’s Word is yielding results… Thank GOD for this Blog and Mike’s leading…
Thank GOD for the audacity of Moses to ask to see GOD’s Glory… truly one of the great requests in the Word…
Thank GOD for HIS Word today… HIS Glory we can now read about and carry with us… and blend into our lives… Thank GOD for Christians that want to grow… are not satisfied to sit back and be stagnant… to not be involved in JESUS mission!
THAT MISSION? … SOULS… bringing in others to the kingdom is our business folks… that’s what I got from Matthew yesterday… and GODs GLORY being revealed to Moses and now to us in JESUS stands out to me in Exodus!
Can’t wait to tear into Mark and Leviticus!
GLORY
Jim
======= Robin:
Book of Exodus comments…..Moses was so faithful to do “As the Lord commanded Moses” with each seprate commandment. What an awesome example Moses turned out to be with God’s care! Amen!
Robin
======= Kate:
what really struck me as we read Exodus was the very careful preparation the people made before they came into the presence of God. in our current informal approach to God we often forget just how holy he is, and how special our coming together with his people is. I think I would like to take more time in future to prepare for worship and not just rush out to church. Thanks Mike for all the pictures, they really help me to concentrate on the slow bits!!
Kate
======= Penny:
What captured my attention today was the turban or headpiece for the priest. It had an inscription fashioned in gold – HOLY TO THE LORD.
Later God instructs Moses to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests. This is the same Aaron who (a few chapters ago) directed the people to give him their gold jewelry to make a golden calf to worship. Wow! That’s the restoring power of God’s grace and mercy! Now Aaron is wearing a turban with God’s description of who he is: HOLY TO THE LORD. It’s fastened around his head as if to say, keep in mind, Aaron, you are holy to Me. Let all the people know, Aaron is holy to Me.
What a lesson for us, who are also called priests to the Lord. 1 Peter 2:9 says:
“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” What a good reminder to me that every thought should be HOLY TO THE LORD, every word – HOLY TO THE LORD, all I do should proclaim – HOLY TO THE LORD. And when it doesn’t, the blood of Christ poured over me cries out – HOLY TO THE LORD!
Penny
======== Dwayne:
I’m right there with Penny on this one. “Holy to the Lord” jumped off the page this morning while I was reading it. If you’re about God’s work as someone ministering to His people and advocating some of them in prayer, you had best make it known. Like the ring of marriage, the circumcision, the baptism and the seal from Song of Solomon, we’re called to not only be dedicated to God, but to also let it be physically and publicly known that we are dedicated to God. That is, quite possibly, the best accountability possible. If the whole world around you knows that you are “holy to God,” they will watch and often follow.
My general impression from today is just the absolute power of God.
That picture of the cloud on the tent of meeting was awesome. I am willing to bet you that not a single nation would even come close to starting anything against a nation whose epicenter was a tent filled with either glorious cloud or righteous fire.
In the New Testament, Christ didn’t have to use any kind of slick talk or apologetics or long quotations of scripture. He IS the Gospel, the good news, and only a word spoken from His mouth causes those destined to be His apostles to leave their old lives and join Him. They come up against a demon posessed man in the temple and the extremely powerful evil, probably prayed against for some long time by the Jews in the temple, suddenly submits to the King of Kings. This thing KNOWS the power that Christ posessed and begrudgingly feared it.
And David, in this beautiful Psalm, calls out for the power of God’s victory. Verses 5 and 6 were particularly potent for me.
5) Let them be like chaff before the wind,
With the angel of the LORD driving them on.
6) Let their way be dark and slippery,
With the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
On both accounts, evil is nothing when the power of God is fully measured.
It is my resolution to always rely upon and trust that power, because it is what preserved the generations upon generations before us, and it is what will preserve me to paradise.
Dwayne
======= Laverne:
The Hebrew bible is my favorite of books, it changes my thought process and heart each time I read from it. For our reading of Exodus thus far what resonated with me is that the first time Joshua is mentioned in the bible was when Moses chose him to fight the Amalekites. Now I don’t know about you, but this is the part of God’ nature I love He will choose the most unlikely candidates to do a mighty thing. Moses, Joshua, me, you, Joseph ops I am getting ahead of myself but you get my drift. Also Joshua was able to go up with Moses to get the tablets. Not face to face as Moses did but he went far enough to give Moses what he needed and to be obedient to God. Fellowship what a wonderful thing!
Laverne
======= Birdie:
I think the thing about Exodus that I learned this time from the reading was how much Moses changed. Before I saw him as standing in front of the burning bush and then leading the Israelites through the Red Sea. All “simple” Sunday School stories. Now I realize that God did a lot of changing in Moses as he does with all of us. He is the potter, we are the clay.
Birdie
======== Kitty:
When I read Mark 1:17 today, where it says, “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
I sense that Jesus was saying that to me personally.
Kitty
======= Fonda:
My comment is on the gospel of Mark. When we were studying it a few years ago in Sunday School our pastor pointed out Mark’s sense of urgency. The word IMMEDIATELY is used over and over. In today section, it appears six times. Perhaps that tells us that that time is passing and we should not put off spreading the word of God.
Fonda
======= Anka:
In the OT reading,it struck me the phases that Israel went through to become separated unto the Lord.They had to leave egypt behind,with it’s gods,customs and laws.And God went into detail on the building of the temple as well as what He exepcted their customs and lifestyles to be.There was a punishment for disobedience,sometimes it meant death or being cut off from the rest of Israel.There were acts of disobedience that left no room even for atonement.
Jesus paid the price for our sins,because of Him we can boldly come into the Father’s presence….but let us not forget He doesn’t change and He is Holy so we should not take the words we read lightly,this is no bedtime story.We have left egypt but have we left behind our gods,our ways…this is a time of grace but let us not forget we belong to a Holy God.
Bless you all
Anka
======= Brandon:
It’s pretty cool to come across today’s passages from Mark, the same day in class we covered the outline, purpose, theme, etc in his gospel. 10 chapters on 30 years of Jesus’ life and 6 on the last week of his life. Note how many times in Mark there is emphasis on silence. Jesus commanding those he healed to be silent – likely to relieve pressurr of crowds on his ministry. Also in exorcisms (as in today’s passage) Jesus did not want the evil spirits to shout out testimony to the truth, even if what they said was true – he did not want to be associated with them in any fashion. (I think in modern terms we can take much out of this in things we choose to spend our time on, entertainment for example.) Third he tells his disciples to remain silent about his messiahsip. Probably because they simply did not understand it until after the resurection.
Brandon
======== Jenny:
havent done my readings yet, but do want to comment on wat i’ve reflected on in exodus. I think we see the importance of trusting god (sorry i’m not capitalizing much, like god’s name..my left shift key is stuck). we, the readers see the full story, so its easy for us to say, why didnt they just trust god more? maybe they were just like many of us, leaning to their understanding. thinking they knew a better way then god, maybe god forgot them or wasnt gonna really provide cos they didnt fully trust. i cant say i fully trust always. something i think, ‘ok, this is it. god has abandoned me this time! not true.
why did the blessings of the Israelites stop? they continued to disobey god, they grumbled and murmured against him, they stopped trusting, they gave in to trusting in other things (false idols), they looked back on their “days of captivity” in Egypt longingly. (do we look back on our days of captivity in the ‘world’ longingly? )
Do we trust in other things? i doubt many ppl have golden calves lying around, but i mean, do we trust in other things to satisfy us? relationships with ppl, money, success, popularity, etc.
why have i turned and started trusting in these things suddenly? do they satisfy? (no!!) have i forgotten the one who brought me out of captivity? who set me free? who bought me with His own blood!? think of that, Christ bought us with His blood, His life!
god delivered them over n over again, look at all the miracles he did, parting the red sea, i mean, exodus is full of miracles…n maybe we think to ourselves, well if i saw all THAT i would never stop trusting! but we do see miracles in our lives, god does amazing things in our lives…but we forget. or we just stop trusting that it will continue or that we came to something too difficult for god perhaps?
i dont know, i just know the more i examine my heart, the more i see i am just like the children of israel. i doubt, i fall, i disobey, i get prideful, i complain.
now that i see this, its up to me to allow the Lord to grow me. I need to seek him, read his word, prayer, fellowship, share my faith, share my sorrows with other…its ok to be weak at times. its ok to tell god how we feel…maybe we think life isnt fair, we can share with god wats on our heart, but then we need to stop, give it to him, surrender, listen to him, and trust him. Let Him prove himself.
I also see how god loved these ppl so much! this same god loves me, us today. he has tireless patience, love, commitment, care. So i want to seek to bless him. i dont want to hinder him, i need to get out of his way n let him work, by dying to self, emptying myself.
wen i’m in need i need to allow him to love, help, n minister to me. this way wen others are hurting, i can let him work thru me, love others thru me, minister to others thru me. if i get comfort n help from him, i can pass it on to others.
we see also we are to reverence the lord, fear him. not put him on our level, he is above and beyond our understanding. we cannot contain him, he isnt our genie, santa claus, puppet, or ‘the man upstairs’. He is holy and awesome and we need to respect him!
ok, just felt like sharing, though i’m really just talking to myself here!
Jenny
======= Mae:
Go ahead, talk to yourself Jenny! I love to read it!! LOL Thanks for sharing your thoughts! It was very refreshing! I love what you wrote “I need to seek Him, read His Word, prayer, fellowship … etc”. In my opinion that’s what it’s all about: SEEK HIM! You can go to church, pray, read the Bible … but you also have to SEEK HIM! For me personally that’s what I needed to do: seek for Him. To have the Lord in my life gives me the freedom. When troubles come my way, I do what I need to do with it and then I give it to the Lord and He’ll take care of it. That’s my freedom as a child of God …
Thanks for sharing, Jenny!!
Mark is awesome!!! Really great to read! But I really need to keep this short. I’m exhausted … it’s 11:20pm here and I should go to bed. The Bible Conference is overwhelming … but in the most wonderful way!!!!!!!!!!! The Holy Spirit is working on me! I feel blessed, I feel happy and I think I never learned so much in such short time!!!
Verses that stood out for me today:
Mark 1:8 “I baptize you with[a] water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”
Mark 1:11 “And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”
Mark 1:17 “Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”
Psalm 35:1 “O Lord, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight against me”.
Proverbs 9:11 “Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life”.
You know what’s funny? I’m there at the Bible Conference and think about you guys … how great it would be if we’d be there together. That would be so awesome! It’s in English, with a Dutch translator, the Pastors are from the US. We would have an amazing time together!
Mae
======= Carissa:
I am a pretty quiet person myself but I think about you all and the other anonymous readers here and think it would be nice to meet everyone sometime to fellowship together.. but actually, that’s what we do here every day in our own little way. I’m sure there are hundreds of people on here every day like me who are silent but enjoy what you and Jenny and others have to say.
When I read the commentary from you and the other friends it also helps me further my understanding–just like if we were having a bible study right here in my living room where I read from the computer!: ) Keep the comments coming–I enjoy them just as much as the Bible readings/Blog post!
Blessings to you Mae–and fellow ‘quiet readers’ like me!
Carissa
======= Gina:
I must say that was my first time all the way through Exodus! What a ride! :0) I know I probably missed a bunch of lessons as I found a lot of if a bit hard to understand but I’m glad I read it all. The details of the Tabernacle amaze me…makes me realize that, I believe, God is truly interested in the details of our lives too. Not just the big stuff – but all the little things too.
I have always loved Matthew – the parables are a great way to picture yourself in the shoes of the apostles…right there with Jesus as he does all the miracles! Plus my mom, who is a fairly new Christian (YEAH!) is also reading Matthew right now. Not on the One Year gig, but just on her own. It’s been cool!
Psalm 35 today – well, I feel like that’s what I am praying to God a lot lately. I feel under attack in lots of ways and I want God to “contend with those who contend with me”!
Mark is going to be an awesome read! I can’t wait!!
Gina
======= Kitty:
I can identify with Moses. When I first got into ministry, I kept on saying to the Lord, “please pick someone else”. I praise God that He has grown me and now I am stepping out to the a 40 days prayer and fasting for my city – Melbourne, Australia (you can read about it on http://www.transformingmelbourne.blogspot.com ). And now, like Moses, I am asking God to show me His glory!
I surely believe that gaining wisdom is both a self-giving and self-less pursuit. I pray that God will continue to give us His wisdom. And I know that reading this one year bible blog will help us to be wise through the Word of God.
Kitty
======= Luch:
the main thing I take from Matthew is that we followers of Jesus have not been called to accumulate ‘knowledge and more knowledge’,but we are called to obey two great commandments–the commandment to love God and people around us, and the commandment (not suggestion) to ‘make disciples’ (or in words of dallas willard ‘make apprentices of Jesus”) and teach ourselves and these apprentices to obey all that He has commanded us.
There is no shortage of material to obey in Matthew- especially Matt 5-7 and Matt18:21-35.
Luch
======= Janice:
I too have learned more this time around in the book of Exodus. The Israelites were slaves in Egypt making bricks without straw. Today look what they have done when they were obedient, as Ramona said, and did as the Lord commanded Moses. Exodus started with no hope and ends in glory. This parallels our lives. We start out as slaves to sin (hopeless) and when we are obedient to God’s word we will be made new (hope)and have the promise of eternal life with God.
Janice
======= Lilly:
I read Exodus previously and got bored on the description of the building of the tabernacle, etc and the rituals. This time I saw Moses and the Israelites growing in their obedience & trusting God. I also saw a God of forgiveness and unfailing love guiding the Israelites day and night out of Egyppt to the promise land. I pray that in my life, I will learn to be more obedient and aware of God’s presence especially when I am lost.
The birth,teaching, suffering, death and resurrection of Christ in Matthew’s account take me to the real message of God’s forgiveness, love for all of us. Still praying for full acceptance of God’s trinity.
Awesome scene of Jesus’ baptism in Mark, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit in one.
God through Christ came humbly to atone ours sins. Praying that that I may always be humbled by God’s love through Christ.
Lilly
======= Raeann:
The book of Exodus is ALL about Moses and how GOD chose him to lead the Hebrew people.GOD plagued Eygpt when pharaoh refused to let the Hebrew people go worship HIM in the desert. Pharaoh let the Hebrew people go after GOD killed ALL of the first born in Eygpt. GOD parted the Red sea when pharaoh pursued the Hebrew people across the desert. The people grumbled against Moses when they ran out of food and water, God gave them Manna to eat, Moses asked the Hebrew people why they tested GOD in this manner.Moses spent forty days on mount Sinai receiving the ten commandments. He was gone to long and the people made an idol as there god,when Moses came down from the mountain he was furious and broke the tablets of the ten commandments, then destroyed the idol. He went back on mount Sinai to receive another ten commandments and the LAW for the Hebrew people. The last part of Exodus is filled with how to construct the Sanctuary to GOD. The book of Exodus is full of laws.
The Gospel of Matthew has some of the most familiar passages in the Bible. The first few chapter deal with Jesus’s genealogy and birth. After John the Baptist anoints Jesus and tells the people that HE is the way. Jesus goes to the sea to start receiving his disciples. HE does numerous miracles from healing the sick, driving out demons, feeding the four thousand, people are drawn to HIM wherever HE goes in the land. HE walks on water and calms the storm. Many people believe in HIM, become HIS disciples and are saved. No one who met HIM could go away without having been changed. HE taught in parables and told HIS disciples there meanings. HE was transfigured and spoke with Moses and Elijah on the mountain. HE predicted HIS death more then once and tried to prepare HIS disciples for what was to come. HE went to Jerusalem even though HE knew that HE was going there to die. The people welcomed HIM with singing and praises one day and a week later HE was dead everyone having turned against HIM in the span of a single week. Praise God HE ascended on the third day to HEAVEN. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Gospel of Matthew.
Raeann
======= Frederick:
I got an impression from the Exodus that God put a priority in the Israelites when He led them in the desert. Religious life always comes first. God told Moses in several chapters the details of the tent and the Tabernacle etc.. God was demanding His people the importance of worship life. When your focus is on God, God can work through you. God can bring you to the Promised Land.
Frederick
======= Colleen:
God said to Moses: see that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain. (Exodus 25:9,40; 26:30.) ‘See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.’ “Set up the tabernacle according to the plan shown you on the mountain.’
What the study of Exodus shows me is swift obedience to follow God’s pattern. Many times it was stated that ‘The Israelites had done everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses.’
And what was the result of this obedience to the pattern the Lord had give Moses and the children of Israel? Exodus 40: 34 says it clearly “Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. 35 Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.”
So my question to myself is this: Am I being obedient to the pattern the Lord has laid down for me to follow; or am I going my own way / doing my own thing because I think I know what is best for me!
Colleen
======= Jennifer:
I agree with the other post. Exodus demonstrates how obediance and disobediance alters lives. However, this reading also demonstrated to me Gods invovlement in every aspect of life and to not put yourself or your spiritual life in a box. God cares what color the tabernacle was and the measurement of every side of the tabernacle. God lives in the details of our lives as well and we should not put our requests to him in a box and we should know that he lives in us to lead and empower our lives. If we die to him we are alive.
Jennifer
======= Steve:
Exodus 2011 Trek
The book of Exodus is full of structure, pattern and detail. What at first seemed repetitious like those passages going into such detail about how something was built, I now see more as a divine matrix, a pattern for the way God wants us to live. In Exodus God shows us the way He wants to balance our lives with every detail leading us towards obedience and safety. Over and over, step by step He patiently leads us towards repentance and away from the devastation of our own flawed patterns of thinking. I don’t know how to explain it but this time going through Exodus was different for me, this time I saw so much more than ever before. I love when the dots connect and the bulb comes on. I’m very appreciative of the work and detail Mike puts into each day here at OneYearBibleBlog.com and also all the people that leave comments. It is pure joy to be in the company of those that love God and strongly desire a closer walk with Him.
Steve
======= Liz:
Yes…obey. That word is so necessary in our walk with Father.
Another meaning for obey in Hebrew is trust…that, for me is so much easier to do…the word faith seems a little harder to understand…it seems easier for me to simply trust.
I love Exodus…it is a sample of Him walking us through our journy with Him…
I love His patience & compassion for us when we mess up…
Shalom,
Liz
Thank you for this awesome ministry.
======= Linda:
Last year I helped direct a production of Clarence Jordan’s story, “Cotton Patch Gospel,” lyrics and music by Harry Chapin. As I read through Matthew this time, I was amazed at how alive those passages are to me now that I have considered them in another modality, another setting. You commented that we can read a scripture several times and see something completely different in it each time. I love that about the Word of God. So multifaceted. Just like the God we serve.
Grace and Peace!
Linda
======== Jeff:
We read throughout the final chapters of Exodus the detailed specifications of God for the construction of the tabernacle. But one thing that struck me for the first time today is that the original construction was nowhere as great an amount of WORK than that which was required to pack up, then travel with, then set up again the tabernacle as they traveled throughout the desert. The thought of that level of effort is mind boggling to me.
Mike, this is a nitpick, but I disagree with this sentence in the Content section of the summary of Mark: “Mark’s purpose was to put together an expanded Gospel message.” Most scholars believe that Mark was the first Gospel written and that both Matthew and Mark relied heavily on Mark’s Gospel in writing their own. Rather than being an “expanded” Gospel, it is actually both the first and also the shortest of the synoptic Gospels.
Jeff
======= Esther:
Dear Mike. Thankyou so much for the effort you put into these posts. I am really enjoying reading through th Bible! In Exodus I have been in awe at the detail of Gods instructions to Moses and the Israelites! Also the instant obedience with which they were carried out! Love the worship song at the end most days! I will be buying Chans book on the Forgotten God. Sounds great. Really excited to continue this journey. Thanks again. God bless you,
Esther
======= Phyllis:
The thing that stood out to me the last few days was how God was always had a tangible presence with Moses and the people in the cloud by day and fire by night…He lead them through the dessert this way and he did not leave them, he is now showing his presence in the tabernacle in the same way. Awesome! How beautiful! I was thinking how this would make it so easy to believe…..but no, that was not always the case…the people still strayed? Today we have the Holy Spirit to guide us by day and night. He is always with us in the same way.
I love the music that is posted each day…. a great way to end a Quiet Time.
Thanks Mike for this blog.
Phyllis
======== Judith:
I learned from our reading in Exodus, that God has had a plan for his people the Israelite from the beginning with Jacob, Joseph, Isaac to today. What has occurred in Israel is all part of god’s plan. As we enter into the future, I look it is great to look at the nation of Israel, and know that God’s knows what he is doing with his chosen people and that turmoil, conflict or even development of Israel is nothing new, It is God’s plan for his chosen people.
Judith
======= Patricia:
Thanks for the reasons given for Christ’s baptism, but I have one that I have always believed and would be interested on others comments. I believe that His baptism was an act of surrendering His Son of God power and becoming one with us in total dependance on the Holy Spirit as he faced the same temptations and challenges that we do. Maybe this is just another way of saying your #3?
Patricia
========= Bob:
Hallelujah we are in!!! As we start Mark’s gospel, “This is the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus, the Christ , the Son of God” and end with the cry of the Gentile centurion, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”, we realize this God is for us all now. These two verses in Mark are like the goal posts in the playing field. Sadly the only ones who recognize who Jesus is in the game are either blind people, demons or Gentiles. Apparently Mark does this to show that Jesus cannot be understood as the Son of God without suffering and to show that the Gospel is for the Gentiles,(me)too. Thank you Jesus!
Bob
======== Joyce:
Mike and everyone,
It hasn’t been easy to read about the intricacies of the tabernacle.
But I sure am grateful to have the opportunity to read it.
I try to read it from different Bible versions, when I find my mind is wandering off.
In this reading Exodus 39:1-40, it strikes me that everything was done with great skill and care, using the finest materials, and most importantly, “all this was done just as the Lord had commanded Moses.”
The reading these days reminds me how important it is to study God’s Word, and read them carefully. Otherwise, how could I carry out His work “just as He has commanded”?
Thank you God for His enlightening Words!
Thank you God for this blog!
Sincerely,
Joyce
======= Gail:
Reading in Mark, today, I was made aware of how ‘well pleased’ God was when Jesus was baptized. Did Jesus “need” to be baptized? I don’t believe so since he was sinless and did not need to be saved. But to be obedient to His Father and to be an example to us, He needed to. I know many Christians that have gotten saved but have not obeyed God and followed Christ’s example of immersion baptism.
We have been spoiled by having the Holy Spirit indwell in us immediately after we get saved. The Old Testament saints and early New Testament Christians did not have Him living inside of them. They had to wait to be empowered by the Holy Spirit and afterward, the Spirit would leave. I can not imagine not being able to talk to God or to have the Holy Spirit as my guide and comforter any time I need or want. But while we have the privilege of this, we can ‘snuff out’ or squelch the leading of the Holy Spirit by allowing other things, other people, other situations to take priority.
Just as the Israelites waited for the cloud or fire to move so they would know when it was time to travel, we need to wait for the Holy Spirit to tell us to “move” to do God’s will. I think that sometimes the role of the Holy Spirit is over looked or maybe doesn’t seem “as equal” as the Father and the Son. But it is the Holy Spirit that convicts and comforts, that accompanies and advises I pray that I will keep my sins confessed and my focus on the Lord that I may be constantly guided by the Holy Spirit.
Gail
========= Carol:
Oh yes, I totally agree with Ramona about the not going by feelings but instead being in obedience to our Lord. That has strongly been laid on my heart and it is changing my life.
What an amazing sight that must have been, the cloud/fire above the tabernacle!
Not a new learning but again the emphasis to me from Exodus was trusting in God, not complaining, not looking backward and thinking that my time in chains (before I knew Jesus) with any kind of fondness.
I found today’s Psalm to be quite interesting….
Carol
========== Renee:
Greetings
Re: your question…Exodus: God is not only in the details. He is the detail. Every aspect of Moses life God orchestrated with perfection, intention, love and purpose. I am so very encouraged, because I know now, that is how God the Father, orders my life and footsteps. In Matthew, its the same…Jesus follows the will of God with the same passion, intention, love and purpose. I find they have a great sense of Humor…Father and the Son… : ) The scripture that stands out is Mark 1:10….the LIT translation is
Rent asunder…it was not a lite parting of the sky. It was ripped apart. So cool!
Peace to all
Renee
======= Mitch:
Exodus thoughts:
Realized Creation was very orderly but only two chapters. Instructions to His people in Exodus were very intricate/detailed and took up more than 15 chapters. Creation was a big picture macro event; Exodus was very micro and detailed. Our relationship with God should be intricate.
Also the Israelites at this point were not just hearers of the Word, but doers of the Word. Very convicting to me.
Mark:
How many times in Mark will the Deity of Christ be confirmed? In the First chapter – Mark asserts, God the Father asserts, the demons assert, and Jesus does not deny His deity.
Mitch
======= Barbara:
I am always amazed at the details God provided for the tabernacle. Everything was included. I believe one of God’s intentions was to make sure the people followed His commandments to the last minute detail. I am teaching Ezra and Nehemiah each week. When comparing those two books and this in Exodus God once again seems to be saying “ follow my commands “ to the n’th detail. Many times God calls us to do something for Him and in the busyness of living I wonder how many times ( maybe not consciously) we skimp on our activity for God to move on to something else. He always requires our all. This scripture was eye opening for me today.
Barbara
======= Monica:
Hello! Thank you so much for doing this blog. I am really learning a lot. In Exodus I am blown away by Moses confidence and his obedience. Moses did what the Lord commanded is said several times. I would hope I could be that obedient and do what Jesus command me to do.
In Matthew I love that Jesus is teaching and showing examples constantly. The disciples are like us needing to be shown and taught every day as we are. But now we have the entire Bible to read and study.
God is so good and faithful to us. This psalm reminds me of the Amy Grant song “Angels watching over me” I think we honestly would be surprised how many times we are protected by Him.
I love we are going in Mark. We are doing a Bible study with our minister on the book of Mark and in my BSF ( Bible Study Fellowship) we studying John. It’s so much fun to see the differences and the similarities in them.
Again thank you and may God Bless you!
Monica
======= Dee:
Ex 39:1-40:38
Finishing up our Exodus today! woohoo.. Today Bezalel made the Ephod and all clothing for Aaron to wear as a priest. And all stones fastened and created to represent the 12 tribes of Israel, and his sons (Aaron’s) to represent while serving in the temple.
40:15 w/ their anointing, Aaron’s descendents are set apart for the priesthood forever, from generation to generation.
Mark 1:1-28
I love how they start out quoting Isaiah-John’s life is portrayed 1st-a forerunner -prepare ye the way of the Lord.
I love the tenacity of John-He didn’t care about appearances -he kept what was most important top priority-His salvation-baptizing souls-Preaching repentance-and Jesus-nothing else mattered.
And Jesus was in Galilee today-after being baptized, and tempted in the desert, to have authority -start his ministry-deliver others from their evil spirits.
Psalm 35:1-16
Lord, I love how you come to our rescue. You protect the helpless and poor from those who rob them-
I think of my lil nursing home mama who gets upset and distraught when her son calls who has troubled her in the past-but Lord you bring her peace and rescue her in times of trouble.
Prov 9:11-12
Yes-wisdom prolongs your life! Amen
blessings!
Dee
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