Justin Houtz

Hi. I’m Justin. I write code and things but enough about that…

Let’s talk about Jesus.

  • Daily Bible Study

    Exodus 37-38; Psalm 19; Acts 11

    DateVersionReading Plan
    February 4, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

    Exodus 37-38

    Observation & Interpretation

    Exod. 37:8 – The cherubim on the ark of the covenant were made of one piece with the mercy seat. The mercy seat and cherubim being of one piece indicates that this must have been a remarkable work of craftsmanship. The theme of “one piece” in the construction of the tabernacle components is a theme that runs throughout Exodus (Exod. 25:19, 25:31, 25:35, 25:36, 27:2, 28:8, 30:2, 37:8, 37:17, 37:21, 37:22, 37:25, 38:2, 39:5)

    Exod. 37:29 – Bezalel made the anointing oil and the pure fragrant incense, blended as by the perfumer. It is difficult to discern from this verse what role Bezalel had in the creation of these elements, whether he put them together and the perfumer blended or if he was more of an overseer of their production.

    Acts 11

    Observation & Interpretation

    Acts 11:12 – In recounting the story of the three men who met him (the soldier and two servants of Cornelius), Peter said that “these six brothers also accompanied me.” Who were the six brothers?

    • In his message, Peter added several interesting details not given in the previous chapter:..[one of which was that] Peter adds the detail that six brethren accompanied him from Joppa to Caesarea (v. 12). (BBC)

    Acts 11:18 – In response to Peter’s testimony, the Judaizers glorified God and said that God had also granted the Gentiles repentance that leads to life. This would have been a compelling admission given the understanding that the Jews were God’s exclusive chosen people.

    • These Jewish believers were having to process the same shocking revelation that had come to Peter at Joppa and then Caesarea (10:9-16, 44-48). Eventually, however, they glorified God for what he had done. (CSB Notes)

    Acts 11:19-21 – Those scattered due to the persecution that arose over Stephen spoke the word of the Lord to no one except the Jews, but some of them—men of Cyprus and Cyrene—spoke to the Hellenists and the Lord was with them, resulting in a great many who believed and turned to the Lord.

    • The evangelism of Antioch was carried out by believers from Cyprus to Cyrene. As a result, Antioch became the center of the Gentile mission and the church that sent Paul out as a missionary (see chaps. 13 and following). (CSB Notes)

    Acts 11:25-26 – Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul and, when he had found him, brought him to Antioch where they spent a year with the church and taught a great many people.

    • …Barnabas remembered Saul of Tarsus! It was he who had introduced Saul to the apostles at Jerusalem. Then Saul had been whisked out of the city to rescue him from the plots of the Jews. Since then he had been in his own town, Tarsus. Anxious to encourage Saul in the ministry and to give the church in Antioch the benefit of his teaching, Barnabas departed for Tarsus and brought Saul to Antioch. For a whole year this splendid team worked with the church there, teaching a great many people. (BBC)

    Acts 11:27-30 – In these days, prophets came down and one of them, Agabus, prophesied by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world, taking place in the days of Claudius. The disciples determined according to each of their abilities to provide relief to the brothers in Judea. This they did by sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

    • The church at Antioch determined to provide relief for the believers in Judea. In so doing, they gave back to the churches and believers who had brought the gospel to Antioch and abroad in the first place. (CSB Notes)

    Resources

    Reading
    Listening