Exodus 34, John 13, Proverbs 10, Ephesians 3

Date	Version	Reading Plan
@March 23, 2024	ESV (2016)	M’Cheyne Plan 2024

Exodus 34

Exodus 34:6–7 (ESV) 6 The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”

When Moses went up Mount Sinai for the Lord to write on a second set of tablets, the Lord proclaimed Himself before Moses along with a number of His divine attributes. One of the most gripping things in this proclamation is that God forgives iniquity and transgression and sin but will by no means clear the guilty. God is gracious and eager to forgive sins—even so far as sacrificing His only Son—but the consequences of guilt still remains.

John 13

John 13:34–35 (ESV) 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment that they were to love one another, closely resembling the Mosaic command of the Israelites that each was to love their neighbor as themself (Lev. 19:18). However, Jesus here provides the underlying reason why in that, just as He has loved us, our love for others will show everyone that we are His disciples. This passage cuts deeply given what has been revealed of my heart over the past few months. My failure to love others is the direct effect of not realizing just how much I am loved by Jesus; what He has done for me and how great was His sacrifice. It is through knowing how much you are loved by the Lord that compels you to express this love toward others.

Proverbs 10

Proverbs 10:11, 13, 19-21 (ESV) 11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. …

13 On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense. …

19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. 20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. 21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.

This chapter contains several proverbs contrasting the righteous and the wicked, many of which relate to the mouth, lips and tongue. As His image-bearers, human beings are the only creatures God chose to give the ability of linguistic speech, but this can be wielded for both good and ill. Knowing how corrupt the tongue can be , James called it “a fire”, “a world of unrighteousness” (James 3:6) and “a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). This should drive us to seek the Lord that He would guide our speech, that by our words we would build up and not to tear down.

Ephesians 3

Ephesians 3:4–6 (ESV) 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Paul is unveiling the mystery of Christ, revealed by the Spirit to the apostles and prophets, that Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body and partakers of the promise of Christ through the gospel. With veil torn and division eradicated, salvation is bestowed upon all who repent of their sins and place their faith in Christ Jesus.

Carson on Exodus 34

As the Lord passes by the cleft in the rock where Moses is safely hidden, the Lord intones, “YAHWEH, YAHWEH, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (34:6). The Hebrew words rendered “love” and “faithfulness” are a common pair in the Old Testament. The former is regularly connected with God’s covenantal mercy, his covenantal grace; the latter is grounded in his reliability, his covenantal commitment to keep his word, to do what he promises, to be faithful, to be true.

This is a fascinating insight by Carson on how “love” and “faithfulness” are commonly paired in the OT and how these words reflect God’s covenantal mercy and commitment. Placing them together helps us to see God’s character and that His love is an enduring, everlasting love that never fails.

Justin Houtz