Justin Houtz

Exodus 15, Luke 21

DateVersionReading Plan
March 6, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Exodus 15

Observation

Exod. 15:1-21 – Moses and the people joined together in song, celebrating the LORD who had triumphed gloriously, rejoicing in who He is, what He has done and what He will do.

Exod. 15:20-21 – Miriam the prophetess, Moses’ and Aaron’s sister, led the women in song with tambourine, echoing the song of Moses and the people of the LORD’s glorious triumph over the Egyptians. While she was first mentioned in Exod. 2:4, standing at a distance as Moses was placed among the reeds by the river bank, this is the first time we hear her name.

Exod. 15:22-24 – The people went three days into the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they grumbled at their inability to drink the bitter water. “The account of water provided at Marah introduces themes prominent in the accounts of Israel’s time in the wilderness: grumbling, testing, and the need for attention and obedience to the Lord’s commands.” (CSB Notes). The TGCBC also points out that the grumbling of the people was a “complaining bitterly from a posture of unbelief and anger instead of trusting faith”.

Exod. 15:25-26 – After the LORD had made the bitter water of Marah sweet, He made for the people there a statute and a rule and He tested them. He told them that if they kept His commands and did what is right, He would spare them the diseases He put on the Egyptians, for He is the Lord, their healer. “The word translated tested (in Exod. 15:25) is used once before in the Pentateuch when the Lord tested Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice Isaac (Gn 22:1–2).” (CSB Notes)

Application

We see in this chapter the full spectrum of full attention and celebration of the LORD—His victory and deliverance—as well as the speed with which the sinful human condition can turn from Godward praise to selfish concerns. It was not long after they had set out into the wilderness that the people began grumbling about physical sustenance. How fickle we can be to forget God’s faithfulness. May our hearts be convicted to repentance, calling to remembrance all that He has done, holding fast and standing firm to see the salvation of the LORD.

Luke 21

Observation

Luke 21:8-9 – Jesus warned His disciples not to be led astray, that many would come in His name. Referring to those who would come in His name, the FSB makes note that, “Jesus might be referring to people claiming to be the Messiah or people falsely claiming to work under Jesus’ authority.” They were not to be terrified as they heard of wars or rumors of wars because they must first take place, but the end will not be at once. False messiahs and wars “will continue throughout the present age. However, these things must occur and are part of an expected delay before the end of the age.” (CSB Notes)

Luke 21:16-19 – Jesus told His disciples that they would be delivered up even by parents, relatives and friends and some of them put to death. He told them that they were to expect hatred for His name’s sake but also assured them that not a hair on their heads would perish. By their endurance they would gain their lives.

Luke 21:28 – Jesus instructs His disciples with the kind of response they were to have at the signs of His coming, to straighten up and raise their heads because their redemption is drawing near. “Instead of cowering in the face of these signs, believers should be encouraged because they indicate that the divine plan for redemption is being completed and the advent of the kingdom of God is near.” (CSB Notes)

Luke 21:36 – Continuing His instruction, Jesus told His disciples to stay awake at all times, to pray that they would have strength to escape all the things that would take place and to stand before the Son of Man.

Application

The chapter is dense with admonition that God’s elect are not without responsibility. Salvation is of the Lord alone, but we are to be active in fulfilling our role, proceeding in faith, obedience and readiness for His return. We are to remain watchful so as not fall prey to the cares of this life, finding ourselves unprepared for the Day when it comes suddenly like a trap. Practically, this means priority of placement of our attention and resources on the things of eternal consequence, on matters of Christ and kingdom, intentional with how we spend our time, that the end of our every effort would be to magnify His name. (p.p. William Garnall)

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are gracious and mighty to deliver. Father, help me to keep afresh Your goodness and fulfilled promises in times when my heart is prone to fail. Help me to live with intentionality, steadfast in my faith, obedient to Your commands and alert to the Day of Your coming.

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