Exodus 34:1-35:9
Big Idea
The LORD makes a covenant with Israel, promising to drive out nations and perform marvels.
Commentary
God's name is proclaimed as merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
God is jealous and will not clear the guilty.
Moses asks God to pardon Israel's sin and take them for His inheritance.
The covenant includes driving out nations and performing marvels.
God commands Israel to keep the Sabbath and other festivals.
Moses writes down the words of the covenant on the tablets.
The people are afraid to come near Moses because his face shines after talking with God.
The LORD makes a covenant with Israel, promising to drive out nations and perform marvels.
God's name is proclaimed as merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
God commands Israel to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread and other festivals.
Moses writes down the words of the covenant on the tablets.
The people are afraid to come near Moses because his face shines after talking with God.
Claims
- The LORD makes a covenant with Israel, promising to drive out nations and perform marvels.
- God commands Israel to keep the Sabbath and other festivals.
- Moses writes down the words of the covenant on the tablets.
- The people are afraid to come near Moses because his face shines after talking with God.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
The LORD is only a distant, uninvolved deity
Correction
<The LORD is a personal, involved God who makes covenants and performs marvels.>
Misunderstanding
The Ten Commandments are just rules for Israel to follow
Correction
<The Ten Commandments are part of the covenant between the LORD and Israel, and are meant to guide their relationship with Him.>
Application Questions
- What does it mean to be a "stiff-necked people"?
- How can we apply God's commands to our lives today?
- Why is it important for us to remember that God is a jealous God?
Matthew 27:15-31
Big Idea
The crowd's demand for Jesus' crucifixion is driven by envy towards Him.
Commentary
Pilate asks the crowd to choose between releasing Barabbas or Jesus, highlighting the tension between the governor's reluctance and the crowd's demand.
The chief priests and elders persuade the crowd to ask for Barabbas' release and Jesus' crucifixion, demonstrating their influence over the crowd.
Pilate's wife warns him against harming Jesus, but he ignores her warning, showing his willingness to prioritize his own position over justice.
The crowd's demand is driven by envy towards Jesus (Matthew 27:18), revealing a deeper issue of spiritual blindness and opposition to God's plan.
Pilate's actions are motivated by a desire to maintain peace and avoid conflict with the crowd, rather than standing up for what he knows is right.
The scene highlights the contrast between Pilate's reluctance and the crowd's demand, as well as the influence of the chief priests and elders over the crowd.
Claims
- Jesus was released from prison by Pontius Pilate during the Passover feast (Matthew 27:15).
- Barabbas, a notorious prisoner, was released instead of Jesus (Matthew 27:16-17).
- The crowd demanded that Jesus be crucified, despite Pilate's reluctance (Matthew 27:20-22).
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
- The crowd is simply asking for justice and wants to see Jesus punished for His crimes.
Correction
The crowd's demand is driven by envy towards Jesus (Matthew 27:18).
Misunderstanding
- Pilate is a hero who stands up for what he believes in, despite the pressure from the chief priests and elders.
Correction
Pilate is motivated by a desire to maintain peace and avoid conflict with the crowd.
Application Questions
- What can we learn from Pilate's actions about the importance of standing up for what is right, even when it is difficult?
- How does the crowd's demand for Jesus' crucifixion reflect their spiritual blindness and opposition to God's plan?
- In what ways can we apply the principle of "His blood be on us and on our children" (Matthew 27:25) to our own lives?
Psalm 33:12-22
Big Idea
The Psalm highlights God's sovereignty over nations and individuals, emphasizing the importance of trusting in His steadfast love.
Commentary
The Psalm begins by praising God for choosing a nation as His heritage, indicating that God's favor is not limited to one particular people or group.
The LORD looks down from heaven, observing all human deeds, underscoring His omniscience and omnipresence.
The verse emphasizes the futility of relying on human strength and might for salvation, instead highlighting the importance of trusting in God's power and love.
The king is not saved by his great army, and a warrior is not delivered by his great strength, demonstrating that military prowess is insufficient for true security.
The war horse is a false hope for salvation, illustrating that material possessions or earthly powers are inadequate substitutes for divine aid.
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, indicating that God's attention and care are reserved for those who reverence and trust in Him.
Those who hope in His steadfast love will be delivered from death and kept alive in famine, demonstrating the reliability of God's promise to sustain His people.
The Psalm concludes by expressing confidence in God as a help and shield, affirming that He is the ultimate source of security and protection.
Claims
- God chooses nations as His heritage (Psalm 33:12).
- Human strength and might are insufficient for salvation (Psalm 33:16-17).
- The war horse is a false hope for salvation (Psalm 33:17).
- God's eye is on those who fear Him (Psalm 33:18).
- Those who hope in His steadfast love will be delivered from death and kept alive in famine (Psalm 33:19).
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
- The Psalm implies that only a specific nation or people are chosen by God
Correction
The Psalm emphasizes God's sovereignty over all nations, choosing those who fear Him as His heritage.
Misunderstanding
- The verse suggests that God is distant and uninvolved in human affairs
Correction
The verse highlights God's omniscience and omnipresence, demonstrating His active involvement in human lives.
Application Questions
- How can we apply the Psalm's emphasis on trusting in God's steadfast love to our own lives?
- What does it mean to fear God, and how can we cultivate this attitude in our relationship with Him?
- In what ways can we rely on God as our help and shield, rather than relying on human strength or material possessions?
Proverbs 9:1-6
Big Idea
Wisdom is personified as a hostess inviting people to come and dine with her.
Commentary
The passage describes Wisdom's house as having seven pillars, symbolizing its strength and stability.
The preparation of food and drinks represents Wisdom's provision for those who seek her.
The young women sent out to invite guests represent the messengers of Wisdom.
The invitations are directed at specific groups: simple people and those lacking sense.
The table is set with a feast, indicating that Wisdom has much to offer.
The invitation to leave simple ways and live wisely suggests that Wisdom's way is superior.
The use of "highest places in the town" emphasizes the importance of seeking Wisdom from the most esteemed sources.
The repetition of phrases such as "Let him turn in here" and "Come, eat" creates a sense of urgency and invitation.
The contrast between simple people and those lacking sense highlights the need for discernment in choosing one's path.
Claims
- Wisdom is a person who can be encountered and engaged with.
- Those who seek Wisdom will find it at her house, which has a strong foundation (seven pillars).
- Wisdom provides food and drink for those who come to her table.
- The way of insight is superior to simple ways.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
<Simple people are being invited to a literal feast>
Correction
Simple people are being metaphorically invited to leave their simple ways and live wisely.
Misunderstanding
<Wisdom's house has a physical location in the town>
Correction
Wisdom's house represents her presence and influence in the world, rather than a specific physical location.
Application Questions
- What does it mean to "leave your simple ways"?
- How can we apply the concept of Wisdom's table to our own lives?
- What are some ways that Wisdom is present in our daily experiences?