| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| @February 18, 2024 | ESV (2016) | M’Cheyne Plan 2024 |
Exodus 1
Exodus 1:8–10 (ESV) 8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. 10 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.”
The Pharaoh viewed the growing numbers of the Israelites as a potential threat to eventually overpower the Egyptians, taking action to deal shrewdly with them in order to limit their multiplication. The way in which the Pharaoh projects the intent of the Israelites seems particularly noteworthy. He seems to assume much, proceeding from a place of fear that he will lose power and control. As I read this, I see much of my own sin manifesting in the very same way, a propensity to think too far ahead when what I really need to do is rest on God’s sovereignty and guidance.
Luke 4
Luke 4:20–21 (ESV) 20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?”
Upon finishing reading from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus told the people that the Scripture had been fulfilled. This explicit declaration of Himself as the fulfillment of Scripture must have been truly astonishing among those in attendance. They spoke well of Him and marveled at His words, indicating that their initial response was positive, but they also questioned Him. This mixed reception of Jesus is a theme that we see play out through much of the NT.
Job 18
Job 18:21 (ESV) 21 Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous, such is the place of him who knows not God.”
In very detailed and graphic fashion, Bildad instructs Job on the punishment God employs against the wicked. This is a change of tone for Bildad, whereas he had previously encouraged Job to repent and be restored, he seems to indicate here that Job is too far gone for restoration. This continues the narrative that Job’s friends espoused an oversimplified understanding of God’s character.
1 Corinthians 5
1 Corinthians 5:4–5 (ESV) 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
Paul instructs the assembly of Christ to deliver someone practicing sexual immorality to Satan for the destruction of his flesh in order that he may be saved in the day of the Lord. The Faithlife Study Bible notes says that this, “Refers to expulsion from the church community—probably including their worship gatherings, their meals, and the Lord’s Supper.” The goal of such an action is to lead one to repentance, a restorative measure, but it also shows how sin is no light matter. The presence of such a sin has eternal implications and thus must be taken seriously.
Carson on Exodus 1
“Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt” (Ex. 1:8). Those who learn nothing from history are destined to repeat all its mistakes, we are told; or, alternatively, the only thing that history teaches is that nothing is learned from history. Whimsical aphorisms aside, one cannot long read Scripture without pondering the sad role played by forgetting.
The ability to forget is one of the most powerful but destructive phenomena of the human condition. It is a blessing that memories fade. If we could recall traumatic events with the same saliency as original occurrence, a mere recollection could be crippling. However, forgetting or misremembering also leads to a whole host of problems. Praise be to God that He has provided in Scripture instances such the new king of Egypt that reveal the harrowing consequences of losing sight of the past.
Resources
- J. I. Packer et. al, The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016)
- D. A. Carson, For the Love of God: Volumes 1 & 2 (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2006; hosted on thegospelcoalition.org)
- Faithlife Study Bible (Lexham Press, 2016)
- Believer’s Bible Commentary (Thomas Nelson, 2016)
- CSB Study Bible Notes (Holman Bible Publishers, 2017)