Justin Houtz

Exodus 33, John 15

DateVersionReading Plan
March 24, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Exodus 33

Observation

The LORD commanded Moses to tell the people to go up from where they were, but that He would not join them because they were a stiff-necked people. The people were to strip off their ornaments that He would know what to do with them (Exod. 33:6). Moses met with God in the tent of meeting outside the camp where he spoke with God face to face as a man speaks to a friend (Exod. 33:11). Moses spoke to the LORD, reiterating what the LORD had said about bringing up the people, but sought clarification as to who would be sent with him. Moses asked the LORD to be shown His ways that he may know that he found favor in God’s sight and to consider that this nation was His people (Exod. 33:12-13). Moses expressed how if God’s presence would not go with them to not be brought up from where they were (Exod. 33:15). Moses again asked for clarification that the Israelites were distinct from other people on the face of the earth (Exod. 33:17).

The LORD told Moses that the thing he had spoken would be done for him because he found favor in God’s sight and that He know him by name. The LORD told Moses that He would be gracious to whom. Moses again asked to see the LORD’s glory and the LORD said He would pass before him and proclaim before him His name, that He be gracious and show mercy to whom He would show mercy (Exod. 33:19). However, Moses could not see the LORD’s face because no man can see His face and live. Thus, the LORD had Moses stand on a rock while the LORD covered him with his hand and only allow the LORD’s back to be seen by Moses.

Application

So much of God’s holiness, our sin and separation from Him and His grace are on display in this chapter. The people had transgressed violently against the LORD in creating the golden calf and were deserving of complete abandonment by the LORD. And yet, when Moses interceded and recounted how the Israelites were chosen to be distinct from the other people, the LORD was gracious in His reply.

As sinful creatures, we proceed with the functional idols of comfort, ease and recognition among others, but God still chooses to be gracious to whom He is gracious and merciful to whom He is merciful. His grace extends to saints in showing them the futility of living for and worshiping anything other than Himself. May we see our need to turn entirely from the things we think will bring us joy to the only One who truly does.

John 15

Observation

Jesus is the true vin and the Father is the vinedresser (John 15:1). Every branch that does not bear fruit is taken away but every branch that bears fruit is pruned to bear more (John 15:2). Jesus calls His disciples to abide in Him as He abides in the Father and whoever abides in Jesus will bear much fruit (John 15:5). Discipleship of Christ is made evident by fruitfulness which serves to glorify the Father (John 15:8). Jesus calls His disciples to keep His commandments and abide on His love as He keeps His Father’s commandments and abides in His love (John 15:10). Jesus spoke these things to His disciples in order for His joy to be in them and that their joy may be full (John 15:11).

Jesus commands that His disciples love one another as He has loved them, that there is no love greater than to lay down one’s life for his friends (John 15:12-13). Jesus told His disciples that He no longer called them servants but friends because He had made known to them all that He was given by the Father (John 15:15). His disciples did not choose Him but He chose them that they would bear fruit and that their fruit would abide (John 15:16).

John then recounted Jesus’ words on the hatred of the world. He told His disciple that, if the world hated them, they were to know that it first hated Him (John 15:18). If they persecuted Him, the disciples should also expect to be persecuted (John 15:20). If Jesus had not come, they would not be guilty, but now that He has, their sin is without excuse (John 15:22). They had seen His works and their rejection of Him meant that they were rejecting both He and the Father.

Jesus then spoke of the Helper that would come, namely, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit proceeds from the Father and bears witness about Jesus (John 15:26). Jesus disciples would also bear witness because they had been with Him from the beginning (John 15:27).

Application

Through the illustration of the vine, Jesus conveys the proper means of abiding in Him, loving others and the friendship we have with Him. Moreover, He speaks of the hatred that His disciples should expect from the world as they walk with Him faithfully. As we draw closer to Christ, the more separated we become from the desires of this world and thus from those who espouse and carry out those desires. This underscores one of the greatest challenges we face as followers of Christ: how we can faithfully live out and share the gospel, representing the kingdom in this foreign land of hostility. Only while abiding in Christ, sensitive to the guidance of His Spirit and living in obedience to His Word do we have ability to fulfill such a task.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your forbearance and longsuffering, remaining with Your children despite our sin and folly. Lord, help us to see Your grace and mercy being extended those whom You have chosen that we may respond in gratitude to worship our Lord of all glory and honor. Lord, thank you for sending us out to be Your light in the darkness. Help us to abide in You and protect us by Your Word as we herald the good news of eternal life found in You.

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