THE LORD SPOKE (January 31)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Exodus 22-23

If you have 300 crooks and 1 policeman, who’s right? Truth or righteousness is not determined by the size of the crowd or by the loudness of their cry. Majority rule can only be taken so far. There is a Standard to which all else must be submitted.

So when our text says, “do not follow the crowd in doing wrong” (Ex. 23:2), there’s a good message there for us. It’s not just the whining junior higher who says, “But Mom, everybody else is doing it or wearing it, or going to it” that needs this message. I need it whenever I’m swayed by public opinion or by politically correct thinking to go against any teaching of Scripture. Do not follow the crowd!

In what follows, God gives instructions to the Israelites to help them follow His way and not the way of the crowd.

Ex. 23:2-9 - laws regarding justice and mercy

Perversion of justice is a detestable thing because it is so contrary to God’s own character. Several quick statements in this section are right on target for our society today: do not show favoritism, do not deny justice to the poor, do not acquit the guilty, do not accept a bribe, do not oppress an alien. [Maybe we should hurry on to something else....]

Ex. 23:10-13 - keeping the Sabbath

[Ah, that’s better.] A day off so we can work some more. We even work at our play. We rarely, if ever, take a shabbat - a cessation of our normal activities in order to rest and restore our energies. A day belonging to the Lord. One day in seven that puts us back on an even keel, that slows down the frantic pace of our squirrel cage, that lets our soul catch up to our body again.

Ex. 23:14-19 - the Pilgrim Festivals

Three special annual holidays were intended for instruction and remembering God’s wonderful intervention in our lives in the past. Every year Passover (Pessach), Pentecost/First Fruits (Shavuot), and Tabernacles (Sukkot) were God-ordained memorials, given to provide the fathers an opportunity to instruct their children in God’s ways. Nothing will help more in teaching them how to not follow the crowd.

Ex. 23:20-33 - entering the Land

God’s guiding hand (in this case an angel - vs. 20) is always there to show us the way. Sometimes it’s “a still, small voice”. Sometimes it’s circumstances. Always it’s found in Scripture. He shows us the way to remain in His presence and enjoy Him. Just as the Israelites were led into the Land with definite and clear instructions, we’re shown what God expects of us.

Are you listening to Him?


New Testament: Mark 3

It’s interesting that the first reason given for why Jesus’ chose twelve disciples was “that they might be with him” (Mk. 3:14). In part, that was so they could have some time with Him but it’s also very true that He wanted to have time with them. They were His friends. Can we say He needed them? Later in the Gospel story we’ll see that Jesus had many more disciples. At one point He appointed seventy-two (Lk. 10). Many more than that followed Him also. But He had a group of twelve who were “with Him” continuously during the last 3+ years of His life on earth. He poured Himself into them but He also drew strength from their company. You’re not much of a teacher if you don’t have anyone to teach and these were His talmidim. The Hebrew word for “disciple” is today the primary word for “student”.

But it goes beyond that. Among the Twelve, Jesus had an “inner circle” of three. Jesus had an “inner circle”?? Doesn’t that smack of favoritism? Yes, maybe it does. But none of the other nine were ever made to feel inferior to these three. Each of the Twelve knew he had Jesus’ ear whenever he wanted to speak. Each knew he could lean on Him completely. Each felt he was very special to Him.

In a sense, it’s like your own children. Do you remember that burning love you had for your firstborn? It was so strong that you were just a little afraid when the birth of number two came along. Would you ever be able to divide your love so you could love that one too without diminishing your love for the first one? You could never love that one any less. But then you found that you didn’t “split your love” between two. Love expanded to include both without diminishing one whit for either. Jesus loved all His disciples and each one no doubt felt that he was the special object of His love.

In that inner circle of Peter, James, and John there was one disciple who was known as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”. John occupied a special position in Jesus’ affections. Yet even when the disciples argued among themselves about who was the greatest (Mk. 9:33f - by the way, notice how they’re still at it in the next chapter - 10:35f), there’s no indication that John won the title handily. Each of the disciples thought he was in the running and had a good chance at being chosen as Top Dog. Ah, doesn’t that just illustrate the incredible love of Jesus for us all?

But let’s go back to that first thought. Jesus, though He is God, needed His friends. We’ll never fully understand it this side of Glory but He still needs our love and friendship too. Aren’t you glad? Don’t you love Him?!

THE LORD SPOKE (January 30)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Exodus 20-21

“Truth is not a polite tap on the shoulder, it is a howling reproach. What Moses brought down from Mt. Sinai were not the Ten Suggestions - they are Commandments. Are, not were. The sheer beauty of the commandments is that they codify in a handful of words acceptable human behavior, not just for then or now but for all time.” - Ted Koppel

Are we right in separating the Ten Commandments from the rest of the Mosaic Covenant given at Mt. Sinai? It’s certainly true that it came as a package deal. The remainder of the book of Exodus is an amplification of these ten commandments. In fact, so is Leviticus. Deuteronomy also is a repetition of the same code with further clarifications. The remainder of the Old Testament continues to do so.

But so does the New Testament. Every one of the ten commandments is repeated in the New Testament, with the exception of the one regarding the Sabbath and even it comes in another form. The Sermon on the Mount is a commentary on the Ten Commandments with a reordering and a strong reiteration of them. There’s good evidence that the answers Paul gives to the Corinthians are structured mainly on the Ten Commandments.

Yes, these ten can be set in a category different from the rest because:

1. God himself wrote them the first time on stone tablets.
2. They were accompanied by special revelation - most notably, the ineffable Name (Ex. 3:13-14; 6:3).
3. They were kept separately inside the Ark of the Covenant - which was always in front of the people and the first in any line.
4. They were kept in the most central position in both the Tabernacle and the Temple, inside the Holy of Holies and underneath the Mercy Seat.
5. All synagogues since the Babylonian period (i.e. throughout the New Testament period) have given them prominence.

The Ten Commandments continue to be essential for us to understand and to “use the Law properly” (I Tim. 1:8) because:

• they display the holiness of God and identify the standard of holiness required to have fellowship with Him (I Pet. 1:15-16 - “be ye holy for I am holy”)
• they identify sin (Rom. 7:7 - “I would not have known sin...”)
• they condemn sinners (II Cor. 3:6f)
• they point man to the holiness of Messiah, our Savior (Gal. 3:14 - “a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ”)
• they motivate us to obedience and praise

They are not now nor have they ever been the means to obtain salvation or a good standing with God. But they have always been a revelation of God’s holy character and of His just and righteous standard. Only through Jesus Christ is man enabled to keep these commandments in a way that is acceptable to God.


New Testament: Mark 2

You need to have a good Bible atlas beside you when you read the Gospel of Mark. He likes to say things like “they went to the other side” when referring to movements around the Sea of Galilee. If you don’t start in the right spot or if you miss a step, you can find yourself turned around, not knowing where you are.

One helpful directional anchor is the town of Capernaum. Matthew (9:1) tells us that Jesus made it “his own town” and Mark (2:1) calls it “home” for Jesus. It’s the center of Jesus ministry around the lake and frequently the site of miracles and significant events. Usually when we find Jesus walking beside the Sea of Galilee, it’s in the vicinity of Capernaum - see, for example, Mark 1:16 with vs. 23 and Mark 2:1 with vs. 13.

While we most often associate Capernaum with fishing and fishermen, being located right on a political border between Herod Antipas’ and Herod Philip’s territory, Capernaum was also a tax town. Matthew (aka Levi ben-Alphaeus in Mk. 2:14) had his toll booth set up there. On one occasion, Jesus spotted him at his collection agency and simply said, “Follow me.” Just as simply, “Levi got up and followed him” (2:14).

Simply? Hardly that. How many accountants have you known that could walk away from their sharpened pencils and log books? Matthew’s actions might be even more striking than that of the fishermen who left their boats to follow Jesus. In both cases, it involved leaving behind their source of livelihood to follow an Unknown.

What comes next is also striking. Matthew organizes an evangelistic dinner party for his friends and co-workers with Jesus as the guest speaker. While others criticized the motley crowd of the Crooked Business Bureau, the Son of God sat down to an enjoyable evening with them. Did they play some numbers games? Were the place mats a Sudoku challenge? Maybe they shared some good lawyer jokes around the table.

But Jesus saw clearly the needs around that table. They were people who were sick and hurting. They needed the balm and healing of the Great Physician. You may be sure - He didn’t miss the opportunity that night to address their deepest need. They were sinners in need of a Righteousness not their own.

How about you? Do you have some neighbors or colleagues at work that need an invitation to your house for just such a party?

THE LORD SPOKE (January 29)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Exodus 17-19

Happy is the man who has a good father-in-law. Not every man can give thanks but Moses surely could. Jethro was a help to him on more than one occasion, but none so much as that recorded in Exodus 18. When he observed how Moses was spread so thinly, Jehro laid out a plan which eventually set the pattern for the Sanhedrin and is still practiced as a valid principle of modern management.

What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. But select capable men from all the people - men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain - and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied. (Ex. 18:17-23)

By dividing the responsibilities, Moses multiplied his effectiveness. Take good note of the elements that make this plan workable:

1. Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. Make sure that the people are properly instructed in the first place. Make sure they understand their duties.
2. Select capable men from all the people...and appoint them as officials. By careful selection, godly leaders should be chosen to shoulder the task. They must be “men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain”.
3. Have them serve. The load is lightened by dividing the task. Moses still had to deal with the tough decisions but he could delegate the lesser ones and ease some of his own burden.

That came from an apparently recently-converted father-in-law. As a Midianite priest (Ex. 18:1), Jethro no doubt worshiped the Midianite gods but he had come to understand that Yahweh was the one true God. His use of this name in Exodus 18:10-11 is significant since Moses had explained to him all that Yahweh had done in Egypt (see Ex. 18:8).

Are you listening to the wise voices around you? Do you seek out good advice? Learn this lesson from what Moses experienced just before he was put to the task for 40 years in the wilderness.


New Testament: Mark 1

Mark likes to keep it short. His Gospel is the shortest and he often demonstrates a great economy of words. Not a quality that most people have! Look, for example, at how much he crowds into one brief paragraph of two verses about Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness (Mark 1:12-13). Matthew and Luke have eleven and thirteen verses respectively to cover this material and we’re still left longing for more information.

Mark is also characterized by action and quick movement - “immediately” He did this or that, or went here or there. Mark is the most geographical of the Gospels in terms of identifying where things happened. Though he emphasizes Jesus’ humanity, his favorite name for Him is “Son of God”. Another favorite is “teacher” or “Rabbi”. (This and other references to Jesus’ teaching occur 39x.)

Another very useful characteristic of Mark’s Gospel is that he identifies two major turning points in Jesus’ ministry. After referring to “the beginning of the gospel” (1:1), he indicates that John’s imprisonment was a turning point that served to trigger Jesus’ ministry in Galilee to “proclaim the good news of God” (1:14). The second hinge point comes in 8:31 (“He then began to teach them...”) when Jesus begins to prepare His disciples for His suffering and death. Matthew is even more emphatic about this moment, adding “from that time on” (Mat. 16:21).

What’s instructive about Mark’s Gospel are the events that he does choose to elaborate on. For example, here in chapter one Mark tells the story of the man with leprosy who came to Jesus. Both Matthew and Luke include the story but Mark informs us that he came and “begged him on his knees” (1"40). Though all three tell how Jesus physically touched the leper, Mark is the only one who specifically says that Jesus was “filled with compassion” when He did so. Mark also informs us that this miracle brought the result of Jesus “no longer [being able] to enter a town openly” (1:45). That’s why He had previously avoided an emphasis on healing only - it often served just to draw a superficial crowd. Now, even though he “stayed outside in lonely places” the people “still came to him from everywhere”.

What a Man! Wouldn’t you have been one of those who tried to get close to Him too? How about right now?

THE LORD SPOKE (January 28)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Exodus 15-16

We’ve been struck by 9-11 in more ways than one. So-called worship songs are often not much more than nine words repeated eleven times over (thanks to Chuck Swindoll for the original idea here). Somehow we’ve gotten the idea that raised hands, semi-glazed and up-turned eyes, and a repetitive croon equals worship.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Though there is plenty of repetition, for example, in the psalms, biblical worship is always content-rich. Take a look at the song Moses led the Israelites to sing in Exodus 15. Every verse is dripping with praise for the mighty attributes of God. His majesty is exalted with content-rich language.

vs. 1 - He is exalted
vs. 2 - He is strong (repeated several times in what follows)
vs. 2 - He is the redeemer (“he has become my salvation”) - c.f. vs. 13
vs. 3 - He is a warrior
vs. 3 - He is eternal (“Yahweh [probably from all three tenses of the verb “to be”] is his name”)
vs. 6 - He is majestic
vs. 7 - He is great
vs. 7 - He is angry = righteous in His wrath
vs. 11 - He is holy
vs. 11 - He is glorious
vs. 11 - He is all-powerful (“working wonders”, “your right hand”) - c.f. vs. 16
vs. 13 - He is merciful, gracious (Heb. hesed)
vs. 13 - He is our guide
vs. 18 - He is sovereign over all

And we haven’t even gotten to the chorus yet (that comes in vs. 21).

Let’s put some more thought into our praise. Let’s think longer and harder about the attributes of God and be less worried about producing a mood.


New Testament: Matthew 28

There was a lot of shaking going on. The first earthquake (Mat. 27:51) happened at the moment of Jesus’ death and shook the city of Jerusalem so violently that tombs actually broke open. Some dead people were shaken alive again and “many holy people who had died” went into the city after the resurrection. That probably made a good number of other people shake too.

But there was a second earthquake three days later. On Resurrection Sunday morning, another violent earthquake shook Jerusalem (28:2). No doubt, many people were still shaking from the first one and these rumblings didn’t help. This earthquake was accompanied by an angel of the Lord who came to the tomb to roll back the stone. At that sight, the Roman guards were so afraid that “they shook and became like dead men” (28:4).

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome saw the empty tomb and trembled (Mk. 16:8). Peter and John were probably trembling when they heard the news and ran to the tomb. Wouldn’t you? The two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Lk. 24:13-32) had palpitations that left their hearts “burning”. The disciples gathered in Jerusalem were trembling “for fear of the Jews” (Jn. 20:19) and when Jesus appeared in their midst, their hearts must have trembled for joy. Wouldn’t yours?

That Jewish leadership was also trembling. Some in fury that their plan had failed and they really had no Plan B. What more can you do than kill a man? Some in frustration that the news would get out and they’d have more to deal with than they could possibly handle. How were they going to control the crowds now? Some in fear that the Roman authorities would hear and crack down even worse on them all. How do you explain that your fail-safe plan didn’t work?

There was a lot of shaking going on.

Maybe the biggest shake-up was the plan that Jesus announced at the conclusion (Mat. 28:18-20). Based on His authority as Lord of heaven and earth, the Commander-in-Chief issued an “Order of the Day” for His troops. Hereafter, they were to be actively and continuously involved in motion towards the lost. Wherever they went (“in your going”) they were to make disciples. That was to involve two primary activities: baptizing and teaching. Baptism was/is an identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. It is the best outward sign of inward conversion. Teaching is necessary for continuing and sustained growth. Through it, the new disciple is strengthened and brought to maturity.

You are left with two options. You can be a “discipler“, one who is actively and continuously seeking the lost and bringing them to Christ. Remember, it’s the lost “of all nations” (Mat. 28:19). What that means is spelled out for us in Acts 1:8 - “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”. So you don’t wait until you’ve saturated the home front first and then do something about distant battlefields.

The other option is to be disobedient.

THE LORD SPOKE (January 27)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Exodus 13-14

It’s the ultimate aquarium. Imagine a wall of water on both sides of a corridor which you can walk through, observing the fish and other sea-life. And the Red Sea has some of the most spectacular underwater life on earth. Look out Chicago, Atlanta, and San Diego - your aquaria spectator numbers are going to face some serious competition.

Unfortunately, the Israelites weren’t able to concentrate much on spectating just then. Feeling trapped, with the Egyptians hot on their heels, their primary response was one of relief and haste. Nobody was anxious to stay between those two walls of water for very long. The Israelites scurried on through and when the Egyptian wheels came off, panic struck.

You can read the whole story in Exodus 14 - how the Israelites made it through on dry ground (which, in itself is another miracle), how “the sea went back to its place” in a devastating water clap, and how the Egyptians were swept into the sea. “Not one of them survived” (Ex. 14:28). That day the Israelites saw the frightening threat vanish and the fish had a banquet.

And when the Israelites saw the great power the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant. (Ex. 14:31)

Ponder the results of this memorable experience:

1. they “saw the power of the Lord displayed” - The same can be said of us in hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanoes, or even the mighty display of a glorious sunset. God’s power is frequently on display for all to see.
2. they “feared the Lord” - A reverential awe that respects His sovereignty and bows before Him should be our response too.
3. they “put their trust in Him” - Of course! If He is so powerful and sovereign over all, how could I respond in any other way? I surely don’t want to fight against Him.
4. they “put their trust in...Moses his servant” - When God sets His seal upon a leader, he is to be trusted and followed. That’s what leadership means, especially godly, spiritual leadership. We’ve had our share of miserable deceptions and failed leaders, but that doesn’t change God’s pattern one bit. He has given leaders to His people and He expects us to follow their example and leadership, so long as it conforms to Scripture.

New Testament: Matthew 27

“Let his blood be on us and on our children!” (Mat. 27:25). What horrible words! But could they even say such a thing? Does the saying make it true?

No! God said, “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sins” (II Ki. 14:6). Children are never held accountable for the sins of their parents. They may have liability. It’s certainly true that they will probably suffer for bad choices made by their parents. But they are not to be judged for someone else’s sin. Not by God and not by anyone else. Sufficient unto each one is the guilt of his own sin.

So how are we to understand the words of Matthew 27:25? At most, it is the misguided statement of a handful of the Jewish religious leaders in the city of Jerusalem in the year AD 30 (± depending on chronology questions). Large crowds of people followed Jesus and the common people gladly received him (Mk. 12:37) so those who condemned him represent only a tiny minority. No stretch of the imagination can make the entire Jewish people responsible for the death of Jesus forever after.

But never underestimate the theological stretch of the imagination of some. The Roman Catholic Church and a majority of misguided “Christianity” through the centuries has taught that the Jews are the “Christ-killers”. Christians have hounded, condemned, persecuted, and even murdered Jews ever since, all “in the name of Christ”. Sad to say, antisemitism is primarily a “Christian” invention. So called “Christians” often hate Jews even where no Jews live - they’ve never even seen one but they know they’re supposed to despise them. That’s despicable!

Who did actually put Jesus to death?

1. True, a handful of Jewish religious authorities in Jerusalem requisitioned His death.
2. Pilate and the Roman government provided the legal apparatus to murder him.
3. Some Roman soldiers performed the physical act of scourging Him, placing the crown of thorns on His head, and nailing Him on the crossbar of death.
4. But, the reason He died was because of my sin. I am the one responsible. He hung there for me.

My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine;
For thee all the follies of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art thou;
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

I love thee because thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;
I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow;
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

THE LORD SPOKE (January 26)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Exodus 10-12

“So that you may tell...your grandchildren....” (Ex. 10:2)

The influence that flows from generation to generation is precious - if it’s a good influence. The opposite can be devastatingly true too - a sinful influence will be felt for generations to come.

Imagine the effect the plagues had on the children and grandchildren. It had to be explained to them why they couldn’t drink water out of the normal water bucket, why there were so many stinking dead animals outside, and why some locusts were even under the covers at night. It couldn’t be avoided when the little Egyptian neighbor boy died last night - it had to be explained in language a child could understand. “God must be obeyed. Always listen to Him and then do what He says.” The best advice was, “Do what I do. Follow my example.”

Grandpa and Grandma, you have at the same time an incredible opportunity and a heavy responsibility. “From everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children” (Ps. 103:17).

In Daddy’s Steps [works for Grandpa too!]
T.T. Judd

There are little eyes upon you, and they’re watching night and day;
There are little ears that quickly take in every word you say;
There are little hands all eager to do everything you do,
And a little boy who’s dreaming of the day he’ll be like you.

You’re the little fellow’s idol, you’re the wisest of the wise.
In his little mind about you , no suspicions ever rise;
He believes in you devoutly, holds that all you say and do,
He will say and do in your way when he’s grown up to be like you.

There’s a wide-eyed little fellow who believes you’re always right,
And his ears are always open and he watches day and night;
You are setting an example every day in all you do,
For the little boy who’s waiting to grow up to be like you.


New Testament: Matthew 26

If your spirituality isn’t enough to break the bonds of slumber, it isn’t worth much, is it? It’s so easy to see it in this chapter with the disciples. Though they all swore they would stand with Jesus through thick and thin (vs. 35), when crunch time came every single one ran. One was actually the betrayer. He kissed heaven’s Door and went to hell. Another denied Him with an oath - three times! Not one hung around after the first sniff of danger. Before the going got tough, the tough skedaddled.

It started back in the garden. Actually, it started way before that but it should have been painfully apparent to them in Gethsemane. Their dear friend Jesus had only moments before told them plainly that he would be struck down (vs. 31; the Hebrew word in the OT quote from Zech. 13:7, is used for being struck by a weapon in battle, resulting in death). Then they saw as “He began to be sorrowful and troubled” (vs. 37). Three times He came back to them, pleading with them for support in His distress. Even in a garden on a dark night, they could have seen the blood mixed with His sweat (Lk. 22:44). They could, at least, have heard the pain in His voice and felt the quiver in His hand.

But no, they were tired. They could only look for a softer spot to rest their heads. The good Passover meal was sitting heavy in their bellies and the four cups of wine were beginning to work. Slumber was more important than the Savior. Sleep sounded better than service. Snoozing led to losing out on one of the most significant moments in the Gospel narrative.

As the Son submitted to the Father (“nevertheless, not my will but thine be done”), they missed seeing the Trinity in action. They slept through one of the best parts of the movie.

How can we overcome this sort of thing? Our own spiritual slumber often dulls our perception and we miss the voice of God. Here’s something you can do about it:

1. Kick the devil in the teeth (I Pet. 5:9; Jas. 4:7). Tell him to get out and never come back.
2. Lay your soul out before the Lord and plead for His help in overcoming your slumbering weakness.
3. Set your alarm so you can get up a while before you must. Put it on the other side of the room so it’s not so easy to turn it off without getting up.
4. Throw off the covers. Splash some cold water on your face so you’re brought quickly to alertness.
5. Open your Bible and let the Lord speak. Let Jesus shine on you. Let the Spirit wash over you. Be quickened in your soul!

THE LORD SPOKE (January 25)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Exodus 8-9

Frog on your teeth and gnats in your nose. Flies in your eyes and boils between your toes. You’d think Pharaoh would take the hint. But repeatedly his heart was hardened. A few of his officials learned to fear the Lord through this experience (Ex. 10:20) but many didn’t.

Meanwhile, God continues to speak to and through Moses. Have you noticed how often the text says that? From the earlier conversation when God reminded him “Who gave man his mouth? Who made him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” (Ex. 4:11-12). Starting in Exodus 6:1, a phrase is repeated no less than 27 times over the next 9 chapters: “Then the Lord said to Moses....”

It must have been a great comfort to Moses to hear heaven speak so often. In the midst of a great conflict with the mightiest political power on earth at the time, it had to be an encouragement to know God was calling the shots. On a regular basis, Moses was strengthened by the presence and the whisper of God’s voice. God’s whisper produced thunder when Moses said:

Let my people go, so that they may worship me, or this time I will send the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth. For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. (Ex. 9:13-16)

Woe to the man who resists the voice of God, be he Pharaoh or peasant. A stiff neck will result in a bruised shin to begin with. If the condition persists, it will end in a crushed skull (Gen. 3:15).

So, learn from Pharaoh. Do not harden your heart in the day of provocation (Heb. 3:8,15). Learn to listen for the voice of God when He speaks. Then learn to listen to it.


New Testament: Matthew 25

“Well done, good and faithful servant!” Well done. Not well said. Not even well believed. But well done! Talk is cheap and it’s often easy to say you believe something. But the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Will you actually do something about what you say you believe?

The story is told of Jean Francois Gravelot, also known as “The Great Blondin”, who crossed Niagra Falls on a tightrope. On the return crossing he offered to carry someone on his shoulders to the other side. Everyone believed he could do it but no one was ready to demonstrate that belief by volunteering to take the ride. They might have heard a “well said” or a “well believed”, but no “well done”.

Jesus tells another parable of two sons (Mat. 21:28-32) where one says he’ll go work in his father’s vineyard but doesn’t. The other says he won’t go but then does. “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” asked Jesus afterwards. Of course, it was the one who went and worked in the vineyard.

How about you? Does your life match your words? Are you at least as good at doing as you are at saying? That’s the only true evidence of genuine belief. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (Jn. 14:15). In other words, do something about it!

Don’t miss the point of the parable. Jesus is illustrating that each individual will be judged on the basis of what he does with what he’s been given. Not everyone receives the same resources to work with. God, in His sovereignty, distributes gifts (another type of “talents”, so to speak) as He determines (I Cor. 12:11). Some receive five times as much as others. Are they five times more responsible? No! Each one is 100% responsible for that which he’s been given.

So take stock. Evaluate your life. How are you doing on producing the just return that God has every right to expect on His investment in you? Would His words to you be, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Mat. 25:21,23).

THE LORD SPOKE (January 24)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Exodus 6-7

If you had to summarize the whole of the Bible in one word or phrase, what would it be? Keep in mind, this “center” of Scripture must work for both Old and New Testaments. At least 23 different answers to that question have been proposed in the last 100 years of theological studies. The problem is that a single point probably has to be so broad (e.g. God, revelation, sovereignty, etc.) that it fails to really help define things, or a single point ends up being too exclusive of other significant points (e.g. love, salvation, etc.). Consequently, what is proposed here is not a single word but a collection of key words under the umbrella of the Sovereignty (power, rule, kingdom) of God.

Exodus 6 is one of the pivotal passages of the entire Bible and helps us to identify the major themes of Scripture. They are:

(1) PRINCE / Messiah (Ex. 6:2) - Moses is God’s anointed one to do the job here. He is the receptor and transmitter of revelation and a type of the Messiah.

(2) PROMISE / Covenant (Ex. 6:4-5) - God says, “I established my covenant” and “I have remembered my covenant”. In fact, this theme is repeated 264 times in Scripture, most notably in the Pentateuch, Psalms, Isaiah, and Malachi. It’s all founded on the fact that “I am the Lord”, used four times just in this chapter and 161 times elsewhere in Scripture (the holy name Yahweh appears a total of 5512 times!).

(3) PRESERVATION / Redemption, Salvation (Ex. 6:6-7) - Four verbs affirm what God will do to preserve His people: “I will bring you out”, “I will free you”, “I will redeem you”, and “I will take you”.

(4) PEOPLE / Election (Ex. 6:7) - That last phrase goes on to say “I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.” Verse three makes mention of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and verse five speaks of the Israelites. These were the people of the covenant, the people God preserved through thick and thin, the people chosen by God for himself.

(5) POSSESSION / Land, Life (Ex. 6:8) - “I will bring you to the Land.” This was, after all, part of the promise “to give them the Land”.

Thus you have in five words, the basic content and themes of the entire Old Testament and they work well for the New Testament also. The experience of believers today as the chosen people of God fits into this picture like a hand in a glove. Without doing damage to God’s special relationship with Israel, we have been grafted in and made partakers of the Promise. Praise God!


New Testament: Matthew 24

“Blast the bones of those who calculate the end!” So said Moses Maimonides, a great rabbi and Torah scholar from the 12th century. Apparently the calculators never got blasted very far, for we frequently hear them rattling in our theological closets. Calculating the end times has been a favorite sport for a variety of individuals and many groups have taken a cultic twist in doing so.

That’s what scares us. We’ve seen it before. People get to spending so much time and effort on prophetic questions that it seems they don’t have their feet on the ground or their head screwed on right. Besides, doesn’t the Bible say, “no one can know the day or the hour”?

In Matthew 24, Jesus speaks in response to the disciples’ question, “What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” He answers those two aspects with lots of detail. But look again at the disciples’ question (vs. 3). They begin with “tell us when” and He doesn’t give them an answer to that. The first part of Jesus’ answer (vs. 4-8) describes the first half of the Tribulation with its “wars and rumors of wars”. At the beginning of vs. 9 He uses a chronological marker “then...” to signal a shift. What follows (vs. 9-14) describes the second half of the Tribulation with its “increase of wickedness”. Again, that is followed with a “then”. In this case He says, “then the end will come”. The more you look, the more you’ll see phrases like “at that time”, “then will be”, and other uses of “then”.

What Jesus never answers is, “when” will this start? At the time not even He knew the answer to that question, but the Father only (vs. 36). That has to do with His voluntary and temporary self-emptying (Phil. 2:6-8). For a time, He laid aside the independent use of some of His attributes. Today, exalted at the right hand of the Father, He does know when His return will be.

But He’s not telling us because His message to us is, “keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (vs. 42). We are encouraged (commanded!) to “be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when [we] do not expect him” (vs. 44). In His sovereign wisdom, He has chosen not to give us those specifics because it’s better that we don’t know. We are encouraged to walk closely with Him and to live expectantly. That’s what He wants of us more than anything.

There is nothing else on the prophetic calendar that must be fulfilled before His return. He is coming - that is certain. Are you ready? Are you watching?

THE LORD SPOKE (January 23)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Exodus 4-5

We’re so good at making up excuses. It’s always easier to think of ten reasons why something can’t be done or why we can’t do it. We must have learned it from Moses. In his conversation with God before leaving Midian, Moses came up with some real whoppers.

First, he uses the argument of lack of prestige. He says, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt” (Ex. 3:11), conveniently forgetting that he was uniquely qualified to do so, having been raised in the palace. No one was in a better position for the job than he.

Second, he claimed lack of authority (Ex. 3:13). Never mind he’d just heard the voice of God coming from the burning bush. Never mind he was currently in conversation with the Creator of heaven and earth. Never mind the last words he’d just heard Him speak - “I will be with you” (Ex. 3:12). God’s response is to reveal His most sacred name, “I AM...the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation” (Ex. 3:15).

Third, Moses pled a lack of credibility (Ex. 4:1) so God gave him a series of miraculous signs to use when necessary. Later, even the crafty medicine men of Egypt recognized them as “the finger of God” (Ex. 8:19).

Fourth, the mighty prophet protested a lack of eloquence (Ex. 4:10. “Slow of speech and tongue”, he said. “I’ve never been eloquent.” As if any of it depended on him in the first place. As if God couldn’t do it. God very simply and forcefully answered, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." (Ex. 4:11-12).

Finally, Moses was resorted to whining about a lack of ability (Ex. 4:13). “Please send someone else to do it.” Then the Lord, who is slow to anger (Ex. 34:6), got mad. Moses was reduced to first chair playing second fiddle. He was still God’s chosen leader but he was diminished, demoted, and downgraded from what he could have been. Even so, some of the whining carried on for some time after (see Ex. 6:12,30).

With “the staff of God [!] in his hand”, Moses started back to Egypt (Ex. 4:20). Aaron came out into the desert to meet him and, together, they went to the elders of the Israelites “and Aaron told them everything the Lord had said to Moses” (Ex. 4:29). Awkward, to say the least, but still effective for “they believed” and “they bowed down and worshiped” (Ex. 4:31).

Is there a message to give or a job to do that has your name on it? Don’t miss out on what God wants to accomplish through you.


New Testament: Matthew 23

They “sit in Moses’ seat”. It was a position of authority in the synagogue. An intact example of one was found in the excavations at Chorazin and another possible piece of one at Capernaum. It was a special chair located at the front of the synagogue prayer hall and was where the teachers of the law used to sit while teaching.

More important, it was a position of great responsibility. For to teach it and not live it yourself would be a disgrace. It would be a terrible dishonor to God and His Word. And that’s just what was happening! Jesus uses some of the harshest language recorded of Him in the entire New Testament to describe these unworthy leaders of men: hypocrites (6x), blind guides (3x), whitewashed tombs full of dead men’s bones, snakes and vipers. They do not practice what they preach (vs. 3), they won’t lift a finger to help others (vs. 4), everything they do is for show (vs. 5)... and on and on it goes. Some are even willing to kill (vs. 34) to advance their wicked and selfish aims.

They were full of greed and self-indulgence (vs. 25). They craved all the wrong things for all the wrong reasons, yet they had the audacity to set themselves up as masters and teachers. That’s a dangerous position. As James tells us, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” (Jas. 3:1).

Jesus’ words ring out against the rabbis of His day but are also a fearsome reminder to every one of us: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (vs. 12). That has not changed, nor will it. Not far back (Mat. 18:3-4), Jesus had told His disciples, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

You can’t be full of God and full of yourself at the same time. He won’t share that space.

THE LORD SPOKE (January 22)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Exodus 1-3

It sounds so crass - “if it is a boy, kill him” and “every boy that is born you must throw into the Nile” (Ex. 1:6,22). Not really much worse than our “modern” abortion methods maybe - you still have to get rid of that disconcerting bit of tissue, don’t you? Hide the evidence. Do it quick and don’t think about it too much. O, that more of our nurses today would act like the Egyptian midwives back then. Someone, somewhere needs to say, “No! I won’t do that.” Someone needs to tell the evil abortion doctors they’re wrong and put a stop to this murder.

Someone needs to trust God for the outcome. In fact, we all need to. We need to act with integrity, obedient to God’s Word and to trust Him for the results. So what if it produces some difficulties along the way. They’re petty and inconsequential with eternity’s values in view.

Where would we be if Moses hadn’t been born? Imagine the world without Moses! Yes, it’s true that if he’d been one of the babies tossed to the Nile crocodiles God would have raised up someone else to do the job. But the fact is that Moses lived and God used him to change the entire world for good. God works through people, His wonders to perform, and few there have ever been in the history of mankind who have exercised a greater influence than Moses.

The story of Moses’ birth in Exodus 2 is a marvel of God’s grace. Amran and Jocabed (see Ex. 6:20) play their part as does big sister Miriam, but only God could have worked out such a miraculous deliverance. And then there’s the way He got the prince out of Egypt and gave him a desert education. How else could you come up with just the right combination for the job Moses was destined to do? Forty years in the university system of Egypt and then forty years at MIT/DS - the Midianite Institute of Technology / Desert Style.

When the time came to launch the operation, God performed another wonder. Shepherds don’t easily change professions. Desert rats aren’t comfortable with the idea of going to the big city. Someone who enjoys the solitude of sheep in the field isn’t probably going to jump at the chance to lead two million Chosen People subjected to slavery. But God moved Moses.

He moved him by revealing Himself. The Eternal One let Moses see the edge of His splendor and told him:

"I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' ...Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers - the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob - has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation. (Ex. 3:14-15)

The very next word was “Go” (Ex. 3:16) and Moses went. He never flagged for the next forty years. His leadership changed a nation permanently. In fact, it has continued to go on from generation to generation right down to the present.

Will you follow the Lord like Moses?


New Testament: Matthew 22

They were all coming to Him with their “questions”. The Pharisees tried repeatedly (vs. 15,34,41) but the Sadducees (vs. 34) and the Herodians (vs. 16) tried also to get in their licks. They all came away licking their own wounds. Even when they plotted together (vs. 15-16) they were unable to stump Him. He beat them repeatedly by the power of His Word. Each time the crowd and those who heard Him were amazed (vs. 22,33,46). His words left them speechless, astonished, and without a comeback.

With the Herodians, who thought they could get Him to speak against Herod’s tax system (not a hard thing to do in first century Jerusalem), He turned it around to remind them that they were created in the image of God and that God expected an even higher tax of them (vs. 21).

The Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection so, with them, He cut straight to the chase. He silenced them (vs. 34) with His words and told them, “You’re wrong because you don’t know what the Bible says!” Rather than arguing with them, that should also be our response today with the cults and false thinking that surrounds us! (By the way, make sure you know what the Bible does say yourself.)

The Pharisees were the toughest nut to crack. With them, Jesus didn’t wait for their questions. He got it started by asking them some hard questions: “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose Son is he?” When they came back at Him with their neat little, memorized answers, He challenged them on their own turf. To the Bible-thumpers of His day, He posed a Bible question that a child could have answered but, because it would destroy their whole theological system, they turned away without a response (vs. 46). In fact, they studiously avoided Him thereafter because they were afraid to get trapped again in His words.

And so, the living Word of God (Jn. 1:1) used the written Word of God to establish truth and make His case. We can do no better, for Scripture is “quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb. 4:12). It is the Bible that penetrates even the thickest skin.

It did mine.

THE LORD SPOKE (January 21)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Genesis 49-50

“Jacob’s Dozen” it’s been called. Like a baker’s dozen, there were actually thirteen when you added Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh in their father’s place. But at this moment in time, all twelve of the original siblings were alive and together. Jacob gathered them around himself to tell them their future in terms of his blessing (Gen. 49:1). We’re told that he gave each one “the blessing appropriate to him” (Gen. 49:2).

Reuben - He forfeited the right and honor of primogeniture by his ugly sin. His descendants were characterized by indecision and no judge, prophet, or ruler, ever sprang from this tribe.

Simeon and Levi - They joined together to commit this crime and, as a punishment, they were both divided and scattered in the nation of Israel with no independent or compact existence.

Judah - Besides the honor of giving name to the Promised Land, he produced both David and “a greater than David” - the Messiah. Chief among the tribes, he grew from “a lion’s cub” (a little power) to become an old lion (calm and quiet, yet formidable).

Zebulun - He had the good fortune of an allotment on the seacoast which allowed him to engage in maritime pursuits and commerce.

Issachar - This tribe would be like a strong donkey crouching down between two burdens but the result was that it settled down in the midst of the Canaanites where it had to “bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labor”.

Dan - Though the son of a secondary wife, he was “as one of the tribes of Israel”. Samson, from the tribe of Dan, “bit the horse’s heals” in defeating the Philistines in his day.

Gad - This tribe was often attacked and wasted by hostile powers coming across the borders, but they were usually victorious by the close of their wars.

Asher - The fertile land of its allotment ensured the prosperity of his descendants.

Naphtali - Also located in a territory very fertile and relatively isolated, this tribe would develop an independent spirit.

Joseph - As a “fruitful vine”, this tribe would increase greatly. Though attacked by envy, revenge, temptation, and ingratitude, by the grace of God, he triumphed over all opposition and became the sustainer of Israel.

Benjamin - This tribe spent its energies in petty and violent conflict. Its warlike character let it to be almost exterminated.

When Jacob died, the other boys entertained some fears that Joseph might now turn on them. But his forgiveness was genuine and he left us with one of the greatest ever statements on the sovereignty of God: “You intended it to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done...” (Gen. 50:20).


New Testament: Matthew 21

Matthew 21:12-13 - Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers’.”

It’s not your usual picture of “gentle Jesus, meek and mild”. He was enraged by what He found in the Temple courtyards. Some would have a hard time visualizing Jesus fashioning a whip (see Jn. 2:15) to drive them out, overturning tables and sending coins and animals flying in every direction. Imagine the shouts and racket. All four gospels record it and He even did it twice!

The line between sinful rage and righteous indignation may be very thin for us at times but you may be sure He never over-stepped it. His anger was based on God’s Word and He quotes from two passages to justify His actions:

Isaiah 56:6-8 - “...All who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant - these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” The Sovereign Lord declares - he who gathers the exiles of Israel; “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.”

Jeremiah 7:8-11 - But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless. Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe” - safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord.

There is a time for anger. We are commanded to put away unrighteous anger in all its various forms (see Ephesians 4:31 and Colossians 3:8). But there is a place for righteous indignation and Jesus was angered on more than one occasion. His anger was caused by irreverence and disregard for God standards. So, where do you stand on that? Do you also get angry at the same things that angered Him? Do you control your anger in other areas? Are you ever a cause of His anger yourself?

THE LORD SPOKE (January 20)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Genesis 47-48

How did he do it? Maybe he didn’t. But God did and directed Jacob’s hands to cross over, putting Ephraim ahead of his older brother Manasseh. Thus did Joseph’s two sons become equal heirs with Jacob’s other sons. Reuben lost his birthright through sin (Gen. 35:22; 49:3-4) and the double portion fell to Joseph’s two sons.

Ephraim want on to become one of the largest tribes in Israel. During the days of the divided monarchy (930-722 BC), the tribe of Ephraim was the most powerful in the northern kingdom, the whole of which was sometimes called “Ephraim” to distinguish it from “Judah” to the south (see Isa. 7:2f and Hos. 9:13; 12:1). Both of the boys, Ephraim and Manasseh came to represent God’s richest blessing, as Jacob’s words in Genesis 48:20 indicate:

He blessed them that day and said, “In your name will Israel pronounce this blessing: ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’”

Though Jacob’s eyesight was dimming, God directed him to make this switch. The boys represented also the other sons that Rachel might have borne if she had not died upon arrival in Canaan (Gen. 48:5-7). Joseph’s other children would be his own but these two were considered Jacob’s thereafter.

His parting words in Genesis 48 are worthy of some attention. He grants “the ridge of land I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow” (Gen. 48:22, NIV). It’s probably a reference to the events in Genesis 34 following the rape of Dinah. Those took place at Shechem in the center of the country and the Hebrew word translated “ridge” is also shechem. The root comes from “shoulder” or “back of the neck” (between the shoulders), thus the figure of a spur of a hill. When Joseph himself dies and his bones are taken to Canaan several years late, he is finally buried at Shechem (Josh. 24:32). [P.S. The synagogue marking the traditional burial place was trashed and pulled down by a Palestinian mob in October, 2000.]

It’s like the curtains are pulling together. Jacob is about to breathe his last but a new act is about to begin. Houselights are dim right now, but the story is not over.


New Testament: Matthew 20

It doesn’t seem fair, does it? Why should those who worked less get the same payment? Why should the guy who came late get the same treatment?

One thing needs to be made very clear - this is not a parable about salvation! The day’s wage of one denarius in the parable does not represent salvation or Christ. You don’t work to earn salvation! Neither is this a parable about rewards. Everyone will receive rewards “according to his own labor” (I Cor. 3:8).

Jesus is responding to Peter’s question in the last chapter (see 19:27). Peter had just asked, with a little whine in his voice (?), “What’s in it for me?” Peter’s motivation was the issue here and the purpose of the parable was to help him see the importance of his heart attitude toward the Lord. Jesus uses the parable to teach about having a right attitude in service.

In doing so, Jesus points out that:

• Overconfidence can lead us to suppose that we’re worth more than we really are (20:10). Assuming that “if he got that much, I must be worth this much more”, will give you an inflated idea of your own value. It will breed dissatisfaction and greed.
• If we serve the Lord for what we can get out of it - whether immediate or eternal - we miss the best things He has prepared for us. Rather, we should serve with “sincerity of heart” (Eph. 6:6). It isn’t about having a contract so we can be sure to get everything that’s coming to us. Do you really want to get what’s coming to you?
• It’s not our job to watch other workers, measuring and comparing ourselves to them. We need to take care of our own motivation before the Lord. We may be very surprised when the truth is finally known (20:16). Some of those who seem so quiet and low-key may be way ahead of all our bluster and show in terms of real faithfulness to God.
• Neither is it up to us to judge God. He is the Master of the vineyard and He will do right every time. It is not our calling to hold Him to our standards of justice. How foolish it sounds to even say it.

God calls us to different tasks in His kingdom. His rewards are not on the basis of how hard we work, or how organized we are in our labor, or even how much we produce - but on how faithfully we respond to Him. He knows our abilities and just what can be expected of each one of us. He fashions the task to the laborer and He knows us better than we know ourselves. He sees exactly what is our motivation. We can trust the Righteous Judge to judge righteously.

What does He see in your heart today?

THE LORD SPOKE (January 19)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Genesis 45-46

Suddenly it all made sense. The probing questions. The special interest in Benjamin. The unusual invitation to a meal at the palace. Why, he’d even been able to understand their private conversations in Hebrew (Gen. 42:23). This was too much to take in. It was almost beyond belief, yet look at all the evidence.

His Hebrew had a funny Egyptian accent after all those years. He certainly looked like an Egyptian. And what about all this opulence - the steward, the slaves, the banquet hall, all the fancy stuff. How could Joseph have come into all this? But how could he know all about Jacob? How could he keep all their names straight and know such details about their lives back in Canaan? And that hug he gave Benjamin - that wasn’t fake.

When Jacob heard he nearly dropped his choppers. His heart skipped several beats but he also became convinced that it really was his long-lost Joseph. Twenty donkeys braying in Egyptian out in the garage were hard to ignore.

But there was one problem. He couldn’t leave the Promised Land without running the risk of stepping outside of God’s will. So God made a special appearance (Gen. 46:1-4), reassuring him of His approval. In fact, God Himself promised to go down to Egypt with him (Gen. 46:4). He also reaffirmed the great Promise that started with Abraham. God even repeated verbatim His promise to Isaac (Gen. 26:24). And, as if that weren’t enough, He reassured Jacob that his own son Joseph would provide for his old age, death, and the return of his body to Canaan (Gen. 46:4).

Yes, it was too much to believe - humanly speaking. Only God could do such a thing. And only God could pull it off with such class. Such style. Such loving-kindness (hesed).

It was one 450-mile long party. Seventy some people rejoicing at God’s goodness every mile of the way. And what a hug awaited him at the other end (Gen. 46:29). Jacob wanted it to last forever - it had to make up for a lot of lost time.


New Testament: Matthew 19

Matthew 19:24-26 - “...I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Let it be categorically said: there is not now and never was a gate in Jerusalem known as “The Eye of the Needle”, through which camels had to duck to get in. Any commentary that tells you differently is making it up. Ask for a map showing where it is, or some historical document that mentions it. Jesus’ whole point was the ridiculousness of thinking a camel could go through the eye of a needle.

If you look at Jesus’ words in Matthew, he says that passing a camel through the eye of a needle is impossible. In the same sense, it is impossible to work your way into heaven by being good or to buy your way into heaven with all your wealth. The rich young man had no doubt tried hard to earn heaven. Jesus never chides him about his failure in keeping any of the commandments. The young man had probably lived a pretty righteous life. But that’s just the problem. Our best is only pretty good. Not good enough!

Jesus quickly found the one thing that the rich young man was holding back. In his case, it was his wealth. What’s yours? If there is anything that you hold back from God, you may be sure that He will find a way to touch you at just that point. Because He gives us everything, He demands everything. If He were anything less than God, it wouldn’t be worth it. We’d be smarter to hang onto some things, to hold back in case of a rainy day, to make sure we have a cushion to fall back onto. But because He is the omnipotent and sovereign Lord of the Universe, He demands and has a right to our all.

Following Him has its rewards. He promises us “pie in the sky by and by”! But is that why we do it? It had better not be. That kind of motivation won’t get you very far. It won’t sustain you when the going gets tough. But it is certainly a promise with meaning for the present. We’re told that Moses “regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward” (Heb. 11:26).

But does He only promise future reward? Absolutely not. Walking with Him brings immediate rewards and satisfaction. “He rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Heb. 11:6). His promise is straight-forward: “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life” (Mat. 19:29). Some of that may be in this life. Maybe not. Some of it may not be material blessing, but there’s so much more to real life than material things. We should never fear that by giving something to Him, we will somehow come out on the short end. Our heavenly Father is immensely generous and He is the source of “every good and perfect gift” (Jas. 1:17).

THE LORD SPOKE (January 18)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Genesis 43-44

He was sure they’d come back. But why did they delay so long? Joseph must have arranged his office so he could easily glance out the window up the long road to Canaan. Day after day he watched the horizon for a sign of their return.

They had other thoughts. How could they face this capricious man? What might he demand next time? Well-armed with gifts (Gen. 43:11) such as they had, they hoped to slip into Egypt and back out as soon as possible. Somehow they had to guard Benjamin and make sure to get him back to Dad. Dad’s health depended on it.

It was strange how the royal steward hardly paid attention to their explanations about the payments for the last shipment. Why would he be talking about God putting “treasure in their sacks”? This whole place was strange - the sooner out the better. And why all those questions? Did he have agents in Canaan checking up on them? He seemed to know too much about them already.

Oh, why did he have to invite them to dinner? Did all the others who came to buy in Egypt get such an invitation? This was not looking good. It seems nothing came of it except for that awkward scene when he choked up and left the room.

Finally, with a collective sigh of relief, all eleven were on the road and back home again. Their only thought at this point was to put some miles between them and the foreignness of Egypt. They had the grain they needed. In just a few days’ time they’d be back home and all would be well. But then, catastrophe of catastrophes. The steward’s agents detained them. With the donkeys in reverse, the film started running backwards.

Have you been there before? Your best efforts to reorganize your life and get things back on keel seem to fall apart. Instead of getting better, it only gets worse. Even a temporary lull is shattered by yet another blow. What can you do?

1. Turn back to God. There is no other place to turn and if you miss this, life really is hopeless.
2. Confide in Him alone. Tell Him so. And then don’t go back on your word. Give up! Cast all your care upon the Lord - for He careth for you (I Pet. 5:7).
3. Get your strength for each day from His Word. Feed on His Word. Let it sustain you. Use it as your constant crutch and your permanent prop.

New Testament: Matthew 18

picayune (pi-kē-yün) = petty, small-minded, trivial

How else could you define the disciples’ talk about who was “greatest in the kingdom”? Especially when you consider that much of it came after Jesus’ teaching here in Matthew 18. They should have known better. It was just plain picayunish of them.

So, how can you explain our tendencies in the same direction? Maybe we manage to keep it under wraps most of the time but aren’t we really pretty impressed with ourselves? It’s just too easy to think of yourself more highly than you ought. Paul assured the Corinthians “that we are [not] sufficient of ourselves to think anything of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God...” (II Cor. 3:5).

Jesus’ instruction was to think of ourselves as children (Mat. 18:3-4). They know when they can’t do something. They might even try to fly or something foolish like that but it usually only takes one bad landing to help them realize that it’s beyond them. How foolish we must look to God when we try to fly without Him. It is a humbling experience to be observed flapping your wings with both feet firmly planted on the ground. Especially when you’ve tried it already many times before - even with Him watching.

So let us learn the lesson here. The whole chapter emphasizes our utter dependence upon God. It’s about time we stop flapping our wings...and our tongues.

THE LORD SPOKE (January 17)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Genesis 41-42

The last time he saw those ten faces, he was looking up from a pit. Yet “as soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them” (Gen. 42:7).

What unfolds is déjà vu for Joseph. Just as he’d dreamed those many years before, here were his brothers bowing before him. Naturally, he was anxious to find out about his father and his little brother, Ben. Unwittingly, the brothers spill out just the information he wants to hear. Now... how to organize the reunion?

In the process Joseph learned some things, like the brothers’ remorse over what they’d done to him, like Reuben’s feeble attempt to save him, like his father’s fragile health. He still had some lessons to learn from God through this experience too. But what’s so gratifying in the text is the change in the brothers’ attitudes.

When struck with apparent calamity, they ask, “What is this that God has done to us?” (Gen. 42:28). At last, they have come to the point of recognizing God’s hand in their lives and seeking His direction instead of plowing through without Him. Enough of their own determination. Isn’t it time we seek His face?

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.

Adelaide A. Pollard


New Testament: Matthew 17

Where and when did it happen? The traditional site of the Mount of Transfiguration is Mt. Tabor on the north edge of the Jezreel Valley, near Nazareth. But that mountain had a large Roman fort on top during the first century. It’s possible that Jesus was transfigured in the middle of a Roman fort but not very likely. Matthew appears to place the event in the region of Caesarea Philippi (see Mat. 16:13) and a much more likely candidate is Mt. Hermon or one of its lower slopes. It is identified as “a high mountain” (17:1) and the brightness (“shone like the sun”, “white as light”) seems to fit Hermon’s snow-covered peaks.

Peter’s desire to put up three shelters (huts, tabernacles?) may be a hint as to the time of year. The Feast of Tabernacles is called Sukkot in Hebrew, which word means “shelters” or “huts”. It falls in September/October and commemorates the passage of the Israelites through the wilderness. For one week families build huts behind their houses, eating meals and occasionally sleeping inside with their children to tell them the story of the wilderness wanderings and God’s mighty provision in bringing them to the Promised Land. Did Peter want to detain Moses and Elijah for awhile in his sukkah? Wouldn’t they have had some magnificent stories to share in the huts?

Moses and Elijah are there to represent “The Law” and “The Prophets”. In other words, all of Scripture was there to support the testimony about the Christ. Jesus was the final objective of the Law (= the “schoolmaster to bring us to Christ”) and the fulfillment of all the messianic prophecies. How fitting that these two Old Testament characters should be present to give testimony to this.

You can hardly blame Peter for piping up and jabbering in his joy at the occasion. But the booming voice of God comes down, as if to say, “Will you just shut up for awhile and listen?!” The words must have stayed ringing in Peter’s ears for some time afterwards: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (17:5). What a fantastic confirmation of Peter’s own confession in the previous chapter!

As always in Scripture upon seeing any manifestation of God, whether angel or otherwise, the reaction of those present was utter fear. The disciples fall on their faces, quaking. Jesus’ comforting words begin with, “Don’t be afraid.” There follows a sensitive “teaching moment”. Don’t you wish you could have been there? Especially for the part where “they saw no one except Jesus” (17:8)?!

THE LORD SPOKE (January 16)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Genesis 38-40

Sterling character. The two words seem to go together - just not very often. Everyone has character. It may range from tarnished to polished. But sterling character speaks of a high standard, something genuine and trustworthy.

Joseph had it. Character is what you are when no one is looking. Character is what you’ll do when you think you can get away with it. Character is what’s really inside you when the surface is scraped away.

Joseph had the external layers scraped away several times. First, his own brothers sold him as a slave to a band of Ishmaelites from Midian on their way to Egypt. Check that out on a map and you’ll wonder what they were doing clear up in central Israel near Dothan. By the time he lands in the house of Potiphar, an important theme is established in the text: “the Lord was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master” (Gen. 39:2).

Then there was the affair with Potiphar’s wife. Actually, the non-affair! Joseph’s sterling character was put to the test like never before. A young man, not without hormones, in a remote place where no one would know, with an opportunity like you wouldn’t believe. Joseph’s sterling character landed him in jail and another surface was scraped away. But again, in that raw condition we’re told that “the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden” (Gen. 39:21).

Yet a third time “the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did” (Gen. 39:23). And another surface was scraped away when his prison mate, the royal cupbearer, forgot him and left him moldering in the jail. How many chances are you going to get in prison? This lost opportunity was cause for despair.

But the peacock’s feathers were genuine. Though he’d strutted a little too much in early days, Joseph’s true colors showed and in the following chapters God is going to exalt him to an almost unbelievable level. From disgraced slave in prison to distinguished second-in-command in the palace! And many times over in what follows, Joseph’s sterling character is going to collide with God’s amazing grace.

Make you want to work a little on your own character, doesn’t it?!


New Testament: Matthew 16

“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” So said Peter, and Jesus blessed him saying that these words came by revelation from the Father in heaven. Jewish people then and now don’t come easily to this conclusion. Knowledge of the deity of the Messiah won’t come easily from a quick reading of the Old Testament. That’s why so many Jewish people still don’t see it. Oh, it’s there; it’s just not easy to pick up on if you don’t have eyes to see and a heart to believe. However, it you look to the New Testament quotes and references to messianic passages of the Old Testament, it stands out clearly.

Many are the New Testament references to the deity of the Messiah but few are the Old Testament statements. One is found in Psalm 2. There the reference is to the Lord and “his Anointed One” (Hebrew = mashiah) and he’s called the Son (vs. 7 & 12). Another text is Isaiah 9:6 where the promised child is also called “Mighty God”. One more is in Proverbs 30:4 where we’re told that the Holy One has a son. So, it’s there but it has been conveniently side-stepped for centuries. The fact that Peter saw it clearly came by revelation from the Father.

What follows in Matthew 16 retains great significance for us today. Jesus identifies Peter’s great confession as the rock upon which He will build His church (vs. 17-18). It’s certainly true. Apart from a person recognizing that Jesus is the Son of God, there is no salvation. It is what qualifies Him to be our savior. He said himself, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Peter adds, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

What’s so amazing in the continuation of this chapter is that a very short time later this same Peter is used as a tool of Satan. Having made such a great confession, you’d think he be forever home free. But no! In verse 22 he contradicts the Lord who rebukes him, saying, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men” (16:23). What a sting that must have left. But Peter didn’t run away. Again in the next chapter, he is the one closest to the Lord, never letting Him out of sight, always wanting to speak to and of Him.

Yes, Peter made lots of mistakes. But he failed falling forward. Even when he fell back, he picked himself up and pushed forward again immediately after. He’s an example to us. Don’t you want to be like that too? “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Prov. 3:5-6).