Justin Houtz

Exodus 21, Luke 24, Job 39, 2 Corinthians 9

DateVersionReading Plan
@March 10, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

Exodus 21

Exodus 21:15, 17 (ESV) 15 “Whoever strikes his father or his mother shall be put to death. 17 “Whoever curses his father or his mother shall be put to death.

Contained within a section largely dealing with the proper treatment of slaves, a couple of laws are given with regard to the treatment of parents. Parenthood was highly regarded in the Hebrew culture, thus making mistreatment of one’s parents a capital offense. Important to understand is that this punishment was meted out when there was a serious injury inflicted and not just because of some insignificant episode of insurrection or rebellion. Interestingly, the Septuagint places these two verses side-by-side while other translations have them separated by a verse that addresses the stealing and selling of a man.

Luke 24

Luke 24:10–12 (ESV) 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

The women reported to the apostles that Jesus was no longer in His tomb, but they did not believe them. Within first century Near-East culture, women were not considered credible witnesses, which explains why the apostles were quick to dismiss their report. However, Peter did not follow this trend, choosing instead to run to the tomb and investigate himself, marveling at what he found and realizing the story was was true. I see so much of Peter’s bold action as a picture of the acceptance of the gospel itself. Hearing that a man rose from the dead was as fantastical in their day as it is our own. The consensus may be apathy or disbelief, but Peter provides for us an example of how each of us needs to look into this miraculous claim ourselves.

Job 39

Job 39:26–30 (ESV) 26 “Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars and spreads his wings toward the south? 27 Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up and makes his nest on high? 28 On the rock he dwells and makes his home, on the rocky crag and stronghold. 29 From there he spies out the prey; his eyes behold it from far away. 30 His young ones suck up blood, and where the slain are, there is he.”

God continues to challenge Job with questions while also showcasing His powerful hand over all creation. He does this through an illustration of select animals: goat, donkey, ox, ostrich, horse, hawk and eagle. The specificity of the questions as they relate to each animal speaks to God’s incredibly high level of intimacy and involvement. He is in complete control of all things, even in the most minute of details.

2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 (ESV) 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

This passage hit me particularly hard. So much of my sin and selfishness has been exposed over the past few months, revealing a heart not aligned with the love and generosity of Christ. The context of this passage is mostly around financial matters, but the principal has far reaching implications. The sowing of seed can be equally applied to the sharing of the gospel itself along with the cultivation of faith among brothers and sisters in Christ. To this end, I feel I have sown very sparingly, looking more to my own interests than of others.

Resources