| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| @February 29, 2024 | ESV (2016) | M’Cheyne Plan 2024 |
Today is a repeat of yesterday’s reading given the leap year.
Exodus 11:1–12:20
Exodus 12:12 (ESV) 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD.
A detail I have missed in previous readings is that the final plague was not only to strike all the firstborn of Egypt but to execute judgments on all the Egyptian gods. Within the declaration in itself that He will execute judgments on their gods is His right and ability to do so. In their destruction, He demonstrates their feebleness and that God holds ultimate power and dominion over all things, placing everything in subjection to Him.
Luke 14
Luke 14:24 (ESV) 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’ ”
Jesus told a parable of a man who held a great banquet and invited many, but all alike began to make excuses for why they could not attend. This angered the man who told his servant to invite the poor, crippled, lame and others to fill his house instead. It was the haughty and self-sufficient who were too wrapped up in their own lives to appreciate the invitation they had received. As a result, the invitation was rescinded and given instead to the ones of low estate. Let this be for us a reminder that there is no more important engagement, no more pressing issue, than that we have been invited to dine at the great banquet table of the King.
Job 29
Job 29:13–14 (ESV) 13 The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. 14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban.
Job describes his benevolence toward the downtrodden, causing those who should feel great loss to instead sing for joy. He was clothed in righteousness and his justice was like a robe and turban. As we read this from a NT perspective, we should be reminded of the covering we receive in Christ, of the blood shed to be wiped clean of all sin and being clothed in His righteousness. What a wonder it is to be given such a divine garment that enables us to be in right standing before Him.
1 Corinthians 15
1 Corinthians 15:25–26 (ESV) 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
There are a couple things to point out in this passage. First, when Paul says that Christ must reign until all enemies are put under His feet, this does not suggest that His reign will end at this time. The Lord’s kingdom is for all time, without rival or end. The other thing worth noting is the order of things destroyed. After all enemies and dark spiritual forces are eradicated, the last to be destroyed is death itself. The Believer’s Bible Commentary provides a helpful comment:
Even during Christ’s Millennial Reign, people will continue to die, especially those who openly rebel against the Lord. But at the Judgment of the Great White Throne, death and Hades will be cast into the Lake of Fire.
Carson on Exodus 11:1–12:20
The crushing plagues have followed their ordained sequence. Repeatedly, Pharaoh hardened his heart; yet, however culpable this man was, God sovereignly moved behind the scenes, actually warning Pharaoh, implicitly inviting repentance.
It was good to be reminded that the plagues were more than demonstrations of God’s power but an invitation for Pharaoh to repent. There was no lack of effort on the part of God to give Pharaoh everything he needed to turn toward Him. As we ponder this, a strong bridge can be drawn to the gospel itself. We are given ample reason and opportunity to respond to the invitation to repent of sin and turn to Christ, but many still remain hardened as with Pharaoh. It is a work of God’s grace that the heart is softened in such a way that we are able see the all-surpassing value of this invitation as give up our very lives for eternal communion with our Lord
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)