Justin Houtz

Exodus 13, Luke 19

DateVersionReading Plan
March 4, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Exodus 13

Observation

Exod. 13:17 – God did not lead the people by way of the land of the Philistines. The CSB Notes provides some helpful comment on why God chose a different route for His people:

Like his choice to keep Pharaoh alive (9:13–16), this choice of route displays who the Lord is. As a result of it, the Israelites would watch the Lord fight for them (14:13–14). They would experience his care and his willingness to work in spite of their frailties (Ps 103:13–14). Archaeologists have found that Egypt had heavy fortifications along the northern route close to the Mediterranean coast. Though that route would have taken the Israelites by the most direct path to Canaan, through Philistine territory, it would have presented extreme danger and constant opposition.

Exod. 13:21 – This the first mention of the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night that would lead the Israelites along the way.

Application

Before we read of the route God chose to lead His people out of Egypt, we read of His instructions for the Israelites regarding their firstborn sons and that when they were brought to the land that the LORD swore to their fathers to give them, they were to hold a feast of unleavened bread as a sign and memorial that He brought them out of Egypt. The people needed to take in this moment directly prior God’s deliverance to be given the means by which they would continue to remember and celebrate what was about to take place and by Whom it came. As we read this, we are inescapably confronted with the question: How often do I take in all that God has done? When do I pause my busy day to appreciate the LORD’s grace and faithfulness? May we take this time today and every day thereafter to meditate on the splendor and majesty of our great God in Christ.

Luke 19

Observation

Luke 19:8-10 – Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, stood and said to Jesus that he “now intended to give half his goods to the poor…[and] planned to make fourfold restitution for any money he had gained dishonestly.” (BBC). In response, Jesus said to Zacchaeus that salvation had “come to this house” since Zacchaeus also was a son of Abraham. “Zacchaeus had become a son of Abraham and gained salvation through faith in Jesus Christ (Gl 3:7).”

Luke 19:41-44 – Jesus wept over Jerusalem because they had missed Him. They did not receive Him as Messiah and, by extension, did not also receive the things that make for peace. “Now it was too late. They had already determined what they would do with the Son of God. Because of their rejection of Him, their eyes were blinded. Because they would not see Him, they could no longer see Him.” (BBC)

Application

Our Lord grieves over those who are lost. He is not cold or indifferent toward those who reject Him. He does not wish that that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. And yet, by His sovereign election, the eyes of many will remain closed, blind to their own sin and to the blessing that awaits the putting to death the deeds of the flesh in order to live for Him. All praise due to our God who has chosen to give to some the salvific reception of Himself. “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13)

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank You for all that You have done. Your endless, abounding love is above all measure. The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the coastlands be glad. How great is Your faithfulness.

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