Justin Houtz

Exodus 19, John 1

DateVersionReading Plan
March 10, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Exodus 19

Observation

Exod. 19:5 – The LORD called to Moses out of the mountain, telling him to speak to the people of Israel, that they had seen what the LORD did to the Egyptians and brought them to Himself. If they kept His commands, they would be His treasured possession among all the peoples and would be to Him a kingdom of priests. It is heartening to hear of God claiming a wayward people in this way. The FSB Notes gives additional clarity on the word, “possession”:

The Hebrew term used here, segullah, refers to both inanimate objects and servants as personal property (Eccl 2:8; 1 Chr 29:3). In ancient Near Eastern covenant-legal literature, the term used here sometimes describes those in covenant with a deity—a context reflected here.

Exod. 19:12-13 – The consequence for touching the mountain was dire. “Mount Sinai was a forbidding place. Neither mankind nor animals were to touch it on penalty of death. A transgressor was not to be followed onto the mount but was to be shot through with an arrow or stoned from a distance.” (BBC)

Exod. 19:21 – The LORD told Moses to warn the people, lest they break through to look and subsequently perish. The CSB Notes helpful describes how this “shows God’s concern to protect the Israelites and to reveal to them his awesome, personal reality. He cannot be treated as an object of curiosity that one might walk up to, examine at will, and then walk away from without personal engagement.”

Application

We see so much of God’s great care for His people in this chapter, “comparable to a king who rescues a helpless people … and then invites them to become his loyal subjects with all the responsibilities that entails.” (TGCBC). From a western, democratic perspective, we tend to think of kingship and subjectivity as a negative, looking on historical imperial dynasties where earthly kings abused their power in tyrannical form. But in this case, to be a servant of the God is the most beloved role one could have. It means a benevolent covering with the LORD’s provision, protection and guardianship. Subjectivity in this case is one of genuine desire to honor and serve the LORD in obedience, not out of begrudging obligation but with great zeal and fervor. This is the invitation to walk in faith in Christ, trading a life lived for self for one of eternal, blessed submission to our Beloved King.

John 1

Observation

John 1:6-8 – John the Baptist was sent from God, but the Apostle John makes clear that John the Baptist was not the light. Rather, he came to bear witness about the light.

John 1:13 – John provides three ways in which once cannot born again: 1) of blood, 2) of the will of the flesh and 3) of the will of man. Contrasting these three ways is the only way in which new birth takes place: of God.

John 1:33 – John bore witness that the Spirit descended and remained on Jesus. “The Spirit did not just descend on Jesus, he rested on him (cp. 3:34)—a sign of Jesus’s divine anointing.”

John 1:43-49 – Jesus told Philip to follow him and Philip, joyful that he had found the the Messiah of whom Moses spoke, found and shared the news with Nathanael. However, Nathanael responded with uncertainty. The BBC provides additional context:

Nathanael had problems. Nazareth was a despised city of Galilee. It seemed impossible to him that the Messiah would live in such a poor neighborhood. And so he voiced the question that was in his mind.

Application

It is helpful to see how Philip did not argue with Nathanael when he responded poorly upon hearing the news of Jesus. As with Philip, we are to lovingly share the gospel as an invitation to repent of sin and turn toward the Lord in faith. This will inevitably collide with the world in adversity, but the aim should always be to win others to Christ as a faithful ambassador of our Lord, heralding the good news with patience and kindness. The BBC puts it succinctly, “Don’t argue. Don’t engage in prolonged discussions. Just bid men to come and see.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are King of kings and Lord of lords. There is no better dwelling than to be with You under your gracious reign. Father, help me to be faithful in Your service, to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which I have been called, that my light would shine and that others may see my good works and glorify You.

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