Justin Houtz

Exodus 30, John 12

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

Exodus 30

Observation

Exod. 30:15 – Half a shekel was to be paid by everyone who was numbered in the census. The rich were not to give more and the poor were not to give less. The FSB provides context on the census tax:

In order to avoid a plague (Exod 30:12), each man must offer one half-shekel to God as a ransom for his life (vv. 12, 15–16). The money is designated for the service of the tent of meeting (v. 16). According to 38:25–26, this payment provided silver for the construction of the tabernacle. This is not an annual payment, but a one-time obligation. Since this collection precedes the tabernacle’s construction (see 38:24–28), this is a different census than the one commanded in Num 1, which comes after the tabernacle is constructed.

Exod. 30:32-33 – The anointing oil was not to be poured on any ordinary person. It was to be of a specific composition and to be considered holy. If anyone made a blend like it or put any of it on an outsider was to be cut off from his people. This likely meant a “shunning or exclusion from the covenant community and its blessings. This punishment underscores the taboo of recreating this incense for pleasure.” (FSB)

Application

The census tax instructed by God is interesting to explore and ponder. Each was to give an equal amount as a ransom for his life that there be no plague among the people. The TCGBC points out how the the equal amount “speaks to the fact that all bear God’s image and have equal value in his eyes.” It is heartening to understand how every human life is equally valuable in God’s eyes, that we are set apart from the rest of creation and endowed with His communicable attributes. However, it is also important to realize that we are fallen creatures, sinful by nature, and that a ransom is needed to propitiate our sins. Ultimately, we cannot do this on our own, needing God Himself to make such a payment, and what praise and honor is due our Lord who has paid it in full. “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” (1 Tim. 5-6)

John 12

Observation

John 12:25 – Jesus told Philip and Andrew that whoever loves his life will lose it but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. The BBC provides helpful insight on this teaching:

Many people think that the important things in life are food, clothing, and pleasure. They live for these things. But in thus loving their lives, they fail to realize that the soul is more important than the body. By neglecting their soul’s welfare, they lose their lives. On the other hand, there are those who count all things loss for Christ. To serve Him, they forego things highly prized among men. These are the people who will keep their lives for eternal life. To hate one’s life means to love Christ more than one loves his own interests.

John 12:35 – Jesus told the crowd at His triumphal entry that the light was with them a little while longer and to walk while they had the light, lest the darkness overcome them. “He reminded them that the light would only be with them for a short while. They should come to the Light and walk in the Light; otherwise darkness would soon overtake them, and they would stumble around in ignorance.”

John 12:46 – Jesus again referred to Himself as light, that whoever believes in Him may not remain in darkness.

Application

We read in a couple of the addresses by Jesus in this chapter that He is light, a theme that is threaded throughout John’s Gospel. The BBC puts the application of this well by saying, “Apart from Christ, men are in deepest darkness. They do not have a right understanding of life, death, or eternity. But those who come to Christ in faith no longer grope about for the truth, because they have found the truth in Him.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank You that You sent Your Son to be the all-satisfying ransom for the lives of Your children. How amazing is Your grace that You would make such a sacrifice. Father, thank You for giving me eyes to see the Light that is Your Son and that by Him I no longer walk in darkness.

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