One Year Bible, February 12

EXODUS 34:1-35:9
In preparation to see God's glory, Moses had some things to do. First he had to construct replacement tablets for the two he broke. Then he had to be sure no one followed him when he went up the mountain to meet with God at the appointed time. This was to be between God and Moses, face-to-face, God speaking directly to Moses. There, God revealed the eleven attributes of "Yahweh" (vs 6-7).

In forming a covenant with His people, God agreed to do "awesome things" among them, and to drive out the enemy ahead of them. In return, they are to keep His precepts, namely, to worship no other gods, and to make no molten images. This meant that they could make no agreements with the enemy because it would lead to idolatry, and they had to destroy any false gods they found in the land. This is all because one of the Names of God is "Jealous".

ADDED NOTE: "Envy" is when we want something that belongs to someone else. "Jealous" is when we are guarding something that belongs to us.

God is the Groom with His Bride, and will tolerate no rivals. This covenant was Israel's marriage agreement with God. And so, the very next verse contains the first usage of the term "whoredoms". This is what God calls it when we "sleep with" substitutes for Himself. When we prefer a substitute for the Presence of God. When we seek satisfaction or fulfillment from a substitute for God. When we seek security, peace, joy, comfort or whatever it may be, from anything other than God.

RESPONSE:    When we worship in God's Presence, I believe He declares His nature to us. Our faces should shine when we've been with Jesus. There should be something that is different about us, anyway. This is what I want. Not because I want people to admire ME, but I long to accurately represent Him in the earth to people who need Him. Lord, send me to people who want a touch from You.

MATTHEW 27:15-31
It is interesting that "Barabbas" means "The Father's Son". Matthew calls him "a notorious prisoner". Acts 3:14-15 says, "You desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life!"   It was the chief priests and elders who persuaded the crowds to demand Barabbas' release and to "destroy Jesus."

Even Pilate knew that Jesus was not before him because of His guilt, but because of His goodness! Pilate's wife sent him a message to have nothing to do with this whole farce! (It is believed by some that she became a Christian convert later.) Pilate asked the crowds, "What evil has He done?" Finally, when the crowds would not listen to reason, Pilate washed his hands of the whole thing and let the crowds have their way. And Jesus stood quietly as the soldiers made a spectacle of Him.

RESPONSE:   Whenever I beg God to relieve me of something unpleasant, I think about this scene. I remember that Jesus prayed, "not My will, but Thine be done".  I don't always pray that, but maybe I should. Real evil is anything that hinders the will of God, not what embarrasses or inconveniences me. True deliverance is not escape from unpleasantness, but not giving in to my flesh IN the unpleasantness. Rule #1: never complain. Right now, I will state: "not my will, but Thine be done, God."

PSALM 33:12-22
God is watching everything, not as an inactive spectator, but as the Sovereign Judge, taking note of everyone individually. He continually sees, nothing escapes His notice. The Maker of the human heart knows all the purposes and thoughts of people. God governs the world, not kings, not armies, not horses, not giants. He decides every battle, every outcome. Even when we think we can't see God anywhere, He has His eye on us and knows exactly what is going on. No matter what, we can always rejoice, because God is our portion, and we are His inheritance. When we rejoice, we make our hearts to trust Him and put our hope in Him.

PROVERBS 9:1-6
In Proverbs 7:8 we read that the harlot has her house, and now in 9:1 Wisdom also has a house. We know that the foundation of wisdom's house is "the fear of the Lord."(9:10) What are those seven pillars that hold up the house? The NT commentary on Proverbs is James, which is very helpful here:

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the meekness that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." (James 3:13-17)

Pure - undefiled, not contaminated with opinions or hidden motives. Peaceable - brings reconciliation, not quarrelsome. Gentle - considerate, makes allowances, is not rude or harsh or easily provoked. Easy to be entreated - reasonable, approachable, teachable. Full of mercy and good fruits- compassionate and helpful, not hard or sneering. Impartial - "fair", not judgmental or critical. Sincere - without hypocrisy and does not contradict the Word.

RESPONSE:   Sometimes it feels like God isn't paying attention. I have to instruct my heart to calm down and to remember that it doesn't matter how I feel. The truth is, God never sleeps, never nods off, never looks away or gets distracted by someone or something else. Just because I may not like what is happening to me, does not mean that it is out of God's control! I can be confident that God is in charge. As I "wait" for God, I will instruct my heart to hope in God, to trust God, to rejoice because He is my portion and I am His portion.