| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| @March 21, 2024 | ESV (2016) | M’Cheyne Plan 2024 |
Exodus 32
Exodus 32:30–32 (ESV) 30 The next day Moses said to the people, “You have sinned a great sin. And now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” 31 So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Alas, this people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold. 32 But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.”
When Moses was delayed in coming down from being with the Lord on Mount Sinai, the people grew anxious and compelled Aaron to fashion gods for worship. Aaron heeded the request of the people and created a golden calf from the rings of the wives, sons and daughters. Moses confronted the people and then later said to the Lord that they had “sinned a great sin”, expressing his desire to be blotted out of God’s book if it He would not forgive their sin. This demonstrates both that Moses realized the gravity of the sin committed but also his willingness to die for the people he had been called to lead. It is a typology of Christ in which he offered his life in exchange for sinners. However, while Moses was spared to continue leading the people, Jesus life was sacrificed to be the propitiatory offering for all mankind for all time.
John 11
John 11:14–15 (ESV) 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
The Believer’s Bible Commentary points out something interesting regarding the death of Lazarus in that nowhere in the NT is it recorded that a person died in the presence of the Lord. The fact that Jesus was not with Lazarus meant that a far greater work than preventing his death could be performed, namely raising him from the dead. It was for the reason of the Son of God being glorified that Jesus was glad.
Proverbs 8
Proverbs 8:34–36 (ESV) 34 Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. 35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD, 36 but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.”
Wisdom is here personified and those who wait daily at her gates and beside her doors will be blessed. Life and favor will be obtained by those who find God’s wisdom, but injury will come to those who fail in finding it. Not only do they falter but they show themselves to hate God and love death. It is only in the diligent pursuit of the Lord and His wisdom that life is to be found.
Ephesians 1
Ephesians 1:7–10 (ESV) 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Those in Christ have forgiveness of all their trespasses which comes by a lavishing of His grace upon us. God does not administer His grace sparingly but does so abundantly, all according to His purpose set forth in Christ to unite all things to Himself. It is not because of us or for us that God pours out His grace but to glorify Himself and make manifest the plan for all creation that He established before its very foundation.
Carson on Exodus 32
Here is an extraordinary mediator, a man whose entire sympathies are with God and his gracious salvation and revelation, a man who makes no excuses for the people he is called to lead, but who nevertheless so identifies with them that if judgment is to fall on them he begs to suffer with them. Here is a man who “stands in the gap” (cf. Ezek. 13:3–5; 22:29–30).
Carson further explores Moses’ character in his intercession and willingness to suffer with the people he had been called to lead. Moses was by no means flawless, but in this instance when the people had sinned a great sin, he showed himself to be a exemplar of sacrificial leadership.
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)