| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| February 5, 2026 | ESV (2016) | ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026 |
Exodus 39-40
Observation & Interpretation
Exod. 39:9 – The breastpiece of the priest was made doubled—a span its length and a span its breadth.
- [A span is] A measurement slightly more than a half cubit, approximately nine inches. (FSB)
Exod. 39:23 – The opening of the robe of the ephod was bound so that it did not tear. Not only was great care taken in creating the garments but also in preserving their integrity.
Exod. 39:43 – Upon seeing that the people had done all the work he had commanded, Moses blessed them.
- When the people finished the work and brought the parts of the tabernacle to Moses, he inspected them and found that all the work had been made exactly acording to God’s specifications. And Moses blessed the people. (BBC)
Exod: 40:38 – The cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day and fire was in it by night. Interesting that it says the cloud was “on” the tabernacle but the fire was “in” the tabernacle.
Acts 12
Observation & Interpretation
Acts 12:4 – When Herod imprisoned Peter, he delivered Peter over to four squads of soldiers to guard him. This seems like an excessive amount of guardianship for one person.
- Peter would have been guarded by four soldiers at a time, who worked three-hour shifts. The Sanhedrin may have recommended the heavy guard to Herod in light of their own experience attempting to jail the apostles (5:19). (CSB Notes)
Acts 12:17 – After describing to those in the house of Mary how the Lord brought him out of prison, Peter departed and went to another place. Peter went to the house was to tell them what the Lord had done for him, but he departed once this information was conveyed.
- Peter went to another place most likely in an attempt to throw Herod and the Jewish authorities off his trail. God had freed him miraculously, but this did not mean Peter could flaunt his freedom or act imprudently. (CSB Notes)
Acts 12:25 – The end of the chapter describes how Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem after completing their service there, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark. This brings resolution to the final verse of the previous chapter in which Barnabas and Saul were sent to Jerusalem by the elders.
- Paul and Barnabas had been sent from Antioch to Jerusalem to bring a famine relief offering (11:29-30), and now returned to Antioch with John Mark. (FSB)
Resources
- J. I. Packer et. al, The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016)
- Colin Hansen (Editor in Chief), TGC Bible Commentary (Columbia, MO: The Gospel Coalition, 2022)
- Iain M. Duguid (Series Editor), ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018-2025)
- Faithlife Study Bible (Lexham Press, 2016)
- Believer’s Bible Commentary (Thomas Nelson, 2016)
- CSB Study Bible Notes (Holman Bible Publishers, 2017)
- The New American Commentary (Brentwood, TN: Holman Reference)
- Lane T. Dennis and Wayne Grudem (Editors), ESV Study Bible, Crossway, 2008.
