Justin Houtz

Exodus 2, Luke 8

DateVersionReading Plan
February 21, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Observation

Exodus 2

Exod. 2:4 – Miriam placed Moses in a “basket”, the same word used for Noah’s “ark”, a “hint that, like Noah, this child will be a deliverer.” (TGCBC)

Exod. 2:4, 7 – Moses’ sister, Miriam, is closely tied to Moses’ story from the beginning, seeing what was done to him and asking Pharaoh’s daughter who discovered him by the river if she should call for a Hebrew woman to nurse him.

Exod. 2:11-14 – The first conflict was between an Egyptian and a Hebrew (the former Moses struck down) but the struggle that Moses encountered the next day was between two Hebrews. When Moses confronts the Hebrew man in the wrong, the man “responds with a taunt that makes clear that Moses’ killing of the Egyptian is public knowledge” (TGCBC)

Exod. 2:17 – Shepherds came to drive away the daughters of the priest of Midian, but Moses stood up and saved them. The reason for the shepherds actions is not given. Moses saving the daughters is an early indication of his character and what he would later do for Israel.

Exod. 2:23-25 – The chapter ends with the groaning of the people, God remembering His covenant with Abraham and that “God knew” (implying “action in keeping with his covenant promises” – CSB Study Notes).

Luke 8

Luke 8:12 – The seed that falls on the path and is trampled represents people who hear the word but the devil comes and takes it away from their hearts. Luke seems specific here in how the devil takes the seed away from the heart rather than the head since the heart is the core of person’s very being.

Luke 8:15 – Reference to the “heart” is again made with regard to the good soil and how the word is treated. Those of the good soil “hold it fast in an honest and good heart”. Verses 12 and 15 are the only two mentions of “heart” in the chapter.

Luke 8:18 – There is indication that the one who “has not” thinks he has some. Part of the deceiving nature of sin is the wrongful perception of ownership and one that is certain to be rectified on the last Day.

Luke 8:28-29 – The man with the unclean spirit begged Jesus not to torment him, for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out. To the ungodly, interaction with Jesus results in rebellion, seeing Him not as renewing and salvific but adversarial and abrasive.

Application

Exodus 2

In the story of Moses’ beginnings, we see the bud of God’s work of delivering His people from Egyptian captivity. It is a remarkable to ponder God’s orchestration of Moses’ birth, prevention of death (as was decreed by Pharaoh – Exod. 1:22), interceding in conflicts and how he ended up in Midian. It is a unique life narrative, but we see God hand in developing the character of Moses as a protector and deliverer. By God’s grace, He inscribes the law on our hearts and enables His chosen to act it out in good faith, thereby aligning us to Himself in righteousness, justice and equity.

Luke 8

We should intently consider the disposition of the man with the unclean spirit. A distinguishing trait among the unregenerate is a spurning at the person and work of Christ and even the very mention of Jesus’ name. I know this well because I once loathed any discussion around Christianity and/or Christ with great intensity. It is helpful to be reminded of this because it allows us to approach others with the proper frame of reference. Only God through His Spirit can open the eyes of the heart to see Jesus for who He truly is, Beloved Savior and Lord of all.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me strength to uphold the truth Your Word in justice and equity, to be an agent of Your goodness so that others may see my good works and glorify You. Help me in my approach to the lost and needy, sharing with them the hope found only in You, and that it be both expressed and received as loving and compassionate.

Resources