One Year Bible, January 30

EXODUS 10:1-12:13
The book of Exodus records three main events: the Passover, crossing of the Red Sea, and the giving of the Law and Tabernacle. They are illustrations of deliverance by the blood, the water, and the Spirit of God (1 Cor 10). The Wilderness through which they traveled (and died) is an illustration of the process of dying to self, fear and unbelief and of being made fit for the Kingdom.

After the threat of a plague of locusts, Pharaoh, a type of the devil and his attempts to hold us in bondage, now lies again, telling Moses he can go, but has to leave the women and children behind. The locusts come, and then total darkness. The plague of locusts is a type of the plague of sin and death and we see in Revelation 9 that they came from the "bottomless pit".

And, of course, darkness follows all the sin and death. "The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up." (Matt 4:16) We are that light - not to be put under a basket. There was light where God's people were. Even Pharaoh's court favored Moses now! "For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee." (Isa 60:2)

Now God pulls out the big guns - going to kill their firstborn. It was the first "Passover". I don't need to repeat the story. But note these things: the Israelites took a lamb on the 10th day (the night of the 9th), held it and examined it until the 14th (We would consider that the night of the 13th). Jesus was held in Pilate's court and examined for four days. They slaughtered the lamb at twilight and put the blood around their outer doorways. They roasted the meat - THEY MUST NOT BOIL IT IN WATER (not to water down the Gospel), and ate in haste. While they waited behind closed doors, at midnight the Death Angel would kill the firstborns, passing over any house with blood on the door. This was to "bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt." At 3 a.m. on Friday the 13th, they would leave, and not even the dogs would bark (11:7)!

RESPONSE:  I don't think I really realized what a close call it was - that the Death Angel was coming my way, but the blood of Jesus actually delivered me from certain death.

As gross darkness covers the earth, everyone is looking for a flashlight, but not me! No politician, no superstar, no athlete, no billionaire, no media mogul knows what to do! When will they realize that their answers are right in front of them? Hello! The Church must live up to its call. If we don't boil the lamb, tell the Truth, and offer our light, it seems to me that some will want to come behind our closed doors for deliverance.

God, make me obvious. If it is as dark as You say it is "out there", then I should stand out! Have I dimmed my light? Show me how to fan it bright again. There should be a glaring difference between me and everyone else. Help me to live it right, God, so that people can "come to the light".

MATTHEW 20:1-28 19:30
Matt 19:30 says, "But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." Then Matt 20:16 says, "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." They are like bookends around the story of the workers in the vineyard, except the word-order is reversed. So, what is the story about? What is the point to the story Jesus told? 

To get that, we must understand CONTEXT. What, in general, was the conversation about? Why did Jesus say it? All of Matthew is in very logical sequence. He flows from one topic to another. The book of Matthew makes the argument to the Jewish Christians, that the Kingdom of God is not just another Jewish sect. It is an entirely NEW thing.

Chapters 18-20 are the instructions to the Church - to the NEW "family" or community of Christians. He begins by talking about relationships in the Church, then marriage, children and social strata (wealth).  In talking about the lack of ranks based on personal wealth in the Kingdom of God, Jesus explained that no one gives up anything to follow Him, that does not get rewarded or replaced. And so, Peter, asks, "We are your first followers, we've given up everything to follow You. What will we get?"

And so Jesus answers - each of the original disciples get a throne, but that does not give them special privileges, and they won't be allowed to "lord it over" anyone in the Kingdom. In fact, if you want to have a throne, you have to be everyone's slave, and share in His suffering. The word "For" at the beginning of chapter 20, tells us that Jesus is about to illustrate what He had just said about what we give up to follow Jesus. 

He told the story of the workers in the vineyard to illustrate how God dishes out rewards in the Kingdom of God. In the Bible, the VINEYARD is always the CHURCH. The OWNER is Jesus, Lord of the Harvest. Guess who the workers are? Generations of Believers. The central figure of the story is the "owner of the vineyard".   Although He hires workers over the whole day, every three hours, at the end of the day, they all get paid the same wages. The first group grumbled that it wasn't fair to them. He had paid them according to FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE (they received what was agreed on beforehand). The others got paid according to GOODNESS AND GENEROSITY. But no one got cheated! 

The point Jesus was making, the lesson to be learned here is that rewards are not based on fairness or seniority (aimed at the 12). God gives gifts/rewards, not wages. You can't earn it. It is all grace. From the first ones hired, to the last, all are treated equally. By reversing the word-order, Jesus is giving His blessing while crossing His hands between those 12 enthroned (left hand), and the rest of us (right hand). (Gen 48:13-14) 

Interestingly, the Kingdom of God includes "little children", but excluded the rich, young ruler. Although the original disciples will get thrones, they will not be allowed to "exercise dominion" over the rest of us.

In fact, "many are called, but few are chosen". You can be called, but disqualify yourself with how you treat one another! He is referring back to chapter 18 - by unforgiveness and hypocrisy. 

Now, just another illustration that Matthew included in verses 30-34 (I know, they belong in "tomorrow's assignment".) That although the disciples had trouble understanding all Jesus said, especially about the necessity of their sharing in His suffering, there would come a time when their spiritual eyes would be opened. Even the request of sons of Zebedee made through their mother, shows that they still didn't get it, that to be great in the Kingdom the "secret" is not lordly power, but humble service. 

RESPONSE:  Thank You for not asking me to earn the gifts You give me. I could never do enough for the great joy, great mercy, great grace, great abundance I receive daily from You. I don't even wait until the "end of the day" to collect! Thank You for Your goodness and generosity to me. Kiss Peter for me - his question prompted this wonderful illustration, after all.

PSALM 25:1-15
Psalms 25-39 are about David's personal life. Chapter 25 is about David's humble approach to God and expresses great sorrow for some of the things he has done, but also great hope that God is leading him onward. So he says, "teach me, instruct me" five times, and "show me" twice. He wants to know and understand God's ways - how God thinks and how God does things. He knows that this revelation is only for the "meek" - those who fear God and can take instruction and correction because he is no longer self-sufficient. That man will know God's secrets for living in wisdom and walking in God's ways. 

PROVERBS 6:6-11
Idleness is against nature. A "sluggard" is both shiftless and shifty. An ant has more sense! Ants have no one telling them what to do, or anyone making them do it. Yet, they don't just lay around, even though they could. They sleep in winter. The rest of the year they practice foresight, industry, organization, and great purpose. The ant has a better work ethic than some people! If you are lazy, you will be a poor man. I guess you don't have to be big to be bad!

RESPONSE: I remember when I was so touchy that no one could tell me anything! I was difficult to be around because I was easily offended, and wouldn't take correction from anyone. I knew in my heart that I was not a nice person. But usually I thought everyone else was mean and just didn't understand me!

Thank You, Jesus, for not being intimidated by my rough exterior and my hard heart. Thank you for loving me to freedom. Thank you for taking me on and not backing away when I talked back to You. Thank you for insisting that I obey,or else.  Thank You for not allowing me to have anything that would deter me from finally getting free. Thank You for taking some things away from me that would have held me in a trap. "Teach me, instruct me, show me". I want to know Your secrets too.