Read the Bible in One Year!

Tabernacle Filled with Cloud of God's Glory Scripture January 31—Exodus 35-40: The Tabernacle Finished and Filled with a Cloud God’s Glory! Observation Exodus closes with the record of the actual construction of the tabernacle—the building in which God will meet his people as they journey to Canaan. The vast project requires the cooperation of many individuals. When the tabernacle is completed at last, God gives his approval by filling the structure with the cloud of his glory. Israel is now prepared to worship God while "on the march." Application Imagine this scene taking place in your church some Sunday. Right in the middle of the offering, the pastor is handed a note and speaks into the mic to announce to the congregation, “Please, stop the offering! The plates are overflowing with gifts, and all our needs have been met. You’ve already given too much!” Sound doubtful and unheard of? Well, that is precisely what happened w...

Golden Calf--Idolatry Scripture January 30—Exodus 32-34: Golden Idol and Glorious Lord Observation In Moses absence, the people have been busy and the scene is not pleasant. Ignoring their pledge of obedience to God, and assuming Moses had died on the mountain, they return to the pagan ways of Egypt. In righteous anger, Moses shatters the two stone tablets, destroys the golden calf, and orders the Levites to slay the guilty offenders. His selfless intercession brings about a renewal of the covenant between God and his chosen people. And when Moses returns from yet another to Sinai—this time to replace the shattered tablets—his face radiates the glory of Israel’s forgiving God. Application Freedom has been defined as the opportunity to make decisions, and character as the ability to make right decisions. If that is true, then one of the quickest ways to reveal the true character of a person is to give him the freedom to choose his own path. I...

Priest Following the Instructions Scripture January 29—Exodus 28-31: Special Instructions for Priests Observation In addition to the tabernacle plans, Moses receives detailed instructions concerning those who will serve in the tabernacle—the priests. Chapters 28-30 describe the ones specially set apart to represent Israel before God and lead the nation in worship. Everything about them is special—the clothing they wear, the elaborate rituals required to purify them for ministry, even the utensils and supplies they use in tabernacle worship. In addition, God provides hand-picked artists and craftsmen for the tabernacle and sets apart a special day each week for rest and worship. Application Did you enjoy the tour of the tabernacle in Exodus 25-27? Today we examine more of God’s intricate blueprint for worship, mostly involving the priests. If it seems to take a long time to read, just remember—it took Moses forty days to copy all this down! T...

Marvel--God Created Everything Including the Universe! Seventh-day Devotional January 28—No More Blues! Reflection Our God is all-powerful—a fact that slips readily off our tongues, a fact we have neatly catalogued in our minds. And yet it's a fact we seldom realize in our daily lives. So many times, we’re so busy trying to solve our own problems that we fail to draw on the power of God we’ve seen in this past week’s reading. He sent amazing plagues on Egypt, prompting the release of his people. He parted the Red Sea, enabling the millions of Israelites to cross on dry land. He provided for every need on the journey through the wilderness, despite the constant complaints of the people. And he set forth his ways through the Law given through Moses and the plans for the Tabernacle. Let’s pause and contemplate the omnipotent God, the master of the universe and our loving Father. Cure the Blues Psalm 8 ought to be required reading for a...

Model of the tabernacle in Timna Valley Park, Israel Scripture January 27—Exodus 25-27: A House of Worship for God’s People Observation For forty days Moses records God’s words regarding Israel’s place of worship (the tabernacle) and pattern of worship. The blueprint includes the furniture, coverings, curtains and courtyard of the tabernacle that must be built “in the manner I showed you on the mountain” (26:30) . The description moves from the inside to the outside, reflecting not the perspective of man looking in, but of God looking out—the God who desires to dwell among his people. Application At a glance, today’s reading may seem like a long list of unimportant details. You may feel like you’re lost in a forest of acacia wood, lampstands, and ram’s skins! But don’t miss the point of the passage. These are instructions for building God’s house, and that makes every detail significant. It is to be a beautiful house, one that...

Love is the Fulfillment of the Law! Scripture January 26—Exodus 21-24: The Civil Laws for God’s People Observation In addition to the Ten Commandments, Moses receives a body of civil and ceremonial laws designed to regulate all aspects of Israel’s national life. The civil laws show God’s concern for the administration of justice, property rights, caring for the poor, punishing criminals, and maintaining purity in interpersonal relationships. The ceremonial laws deal with the tabernacle—Israel’s traveling “church in the wilderness”—and the priests, sacrifices, offerings, and annual feasts involved with it. After a stern reminder of the importance of obedience, God calls Moses back up the mountain for forty more days of instruction. Application No one is justified (declared righteous) by keeping the law. That is clear from passages such as Galatians 2:16 . What then should be your attitude toward today’s Scripture reading? Recogni...

Moses presenting the Law--the Ten Commandments Scripture January 25—Exodus 19-20: The Ten Commands for God’s People Observation At Mount Sinai—A setting designed to focus on the majesty and holiness of God—the people receive their charter as God’s chosen nation. After declaring their willingness to abide by the commands they are about to receive, the Israelites spend two days preparing themselves to hear God’s voice. On the third day, accompanied by an awesome display of God’s power, Moses receives the Ten Commandments—the broad moral principles on which the nation’s conduct will be based. Application Scene One: You are suspended by a chain over a deep abyss, fearing for your life, when a companion offers this comforting remark. “Don’t worry, all but one of the links will hold your weight.” Scene Two: You are in a furniture store looking for a mirror to adorn your living room when you come across a display that reads: Nearly Perfect Mirro...

Manna and Quail from Heaven Scripture January 24—Exodus 16-18: Journey to Mount Sinai Observation Only three days after their dramatic deliverance at the Red Sea, the people begin to complain—a dreary habit that will characterize their entire wilderness journey. The water supply dwindles, the grumbling increases as the people forget that God is the Source of their supply. God miraculously provides manna, quail, and water in abundance to teach the nation a lesson in faith. Then an overworked Moses learns a valuable lesson in administration from his father-in-law as he selects capable men to assist him in governing the people. Application Have you ever had a morning like this? You bound out of bed, confident that today will be a great day. But there’s no soap in the shower, and you’ve run out of clean clothes. On the way to breakfast you trip over a misplaced chair. The toast burns, you drop egg on your shoe, and the newspaper doesn’t arrive. A...

Crossing the Red Sea Scripture Exodus 13-15: Crossing the Red Sea and with Songs from Moses Observation The Exodus from Egypt is only the first in a series of miracles God performs to bring his chosen people to the Promised Land of Canaan. Guided by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, Moses leads the people to the edge of the Red Sea—a seemingly dead end. Cries of revolt and despair give way to songs of jubilation and praise as God opens a path through the waters, saves his people, and drowns the Egyptian army in its hopeless pursuit. Application You can make songs out of many passages of Scripture. Like: “Savior, like a Shepherd lead us…” (Psalm 23:1-2) . “Praise God from whom all blessings flow…” (Psalm 148:1-3). “Our Father who art in heaven…” (Matthew 6:9-13) . “Zaccheus was a wee little man, a wee little man, a wee little man was he” (a child's song, Luke 19:1-5) . There is something about a verse put to melody tha...

The Egypt Passover Scripture Exodus 11-12: The Great Departure Observation Each of the preceding nine plagues has represented an attack on an object of worship in Egypt such as the Nile, sun, frogs, files, etc. But now God attacks Pharaoh himself by warning that the firstborn of each Egyptian household including Pharaoh’s will die unless the Hebrews are released. To escape the terrible judgment, each Israelite household observed the Passover by substituting the death of a lamb for the death of their firstborn. After a night of horror and death, Pharaoh commands the Hebrews to leave, the long-awaited Exodus begins. Passover becomes an annual memorial of the redemption of God’s people from their Egyptian bondage. Application One would think that those delivered from captivity would never forget the events leading up to and including the moment that they were set free. But God knew that his people would quickly forget the great moments in their history...

Dean Mitchell - PSALMS 4:1 - Greenwich Workshop Seventh-day Devotional January 21—Greatest Gift for Life! Reflection The faithful example of Joseph in Egypt, the sovereign care of God for his people, the rise of Moses the deliverer of God—the Lord powerfully continues to teach us through the pages of his Word. He is in control—no matter how bleak the situation appears! Let’s praise him today as we pause in our daily walk through the Bible by focusing on Psalm 4 . Take time to think through the words you read and respond from your heart to the God who can be just as powerful and awesome in your own life today! Greatest Gift Ever — Praying Are we praying the way God intend for us to pray? In Psalm 4 , David finds himself on the verge of disaster. His kingly honor has turned to shame (v.2) . Distress is all around him. And so, he cries out for help to the One who has come to his aid in the past. “Hear me as I call, hear my prayer” (v.1) . D...

The Nine Plagues of Egypt Scripture January 20—Exodus 7-10: Egypt Nine Plagues Observation Since the words of God delivered through his servant Moses have had no effect on Pharaoh’s stony heart, Moses now begins to demonstrate the works of God—nine national calamities involving insects, disease, and changes in nature. The plagues gradually become more intense, selective, and difficult to ignore! Despite his frequent promises, Pharaoh stubbornly refuses to release the people, setting the stage for the tenth and climactic plague. Application Hardening of the arteries is a serious disease that affects thousands. But its consequences are mild when compared to the eternal consequences of another disease that affects mankind, hardening of the heart. Pharaoh’s knew the consequences if he did not obey. Each plague was rehearsed in advance to warn Pharaoh of its devastating impact. Pharaoh’s problem was not information but motivation. God’s will was clear, Phar...

Burning bush. 17th century painting by Sébastien Bourdon in the Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg Scripture January 19—Exodus 3-6: Moses’s Call to Deal with Pharaoh Observation At last, God is ready to commission Moses for the task of delivering his people from bondage. But Moses is reluctant to accept the commission! Confronted by God in a burning bush, Moses responds with four excuses that focus on his inadequacy for the assignment. But neither Moses’ weakness nor Pharaoh’s stubbornness can stand in the way of God’s sovereign plan to release his people. Finally convinced of God’s strength, Moses confronts Pharaoh with the ringing declaration, “Let my people go” (5:1) . Application Let's pretend for a moment that we are Moses. We are tending our sheep on a quiet mountainside when suddenly a bush bursts in flame—but is not consumed. Naturally curious, we move closer to study this remarkable sight and come to face to face wi...

The Oppression and Hardship of the Israelites in Egypt by Schnorr von Carolsfeld, Julius 1794–1874 Exodus Introduction As Genesis closes, the Jews are a chosen-few living in the favor of the Pharaoh of Egypt. But following the death of Joseph, a new king came to the throne of Egypt who felt no obligation to the descendants of Joseph, and the nation of Israel becomes a nation of slaves. Exodus is the story of their deliverance. In the first half of Exodus, God calls Moses to declare judgement upon Pharaoh, and to lead Israel’s long journey to the Promised Land. In the last half, God educates his people in the responsibilities of holy living. Scripture January 18—Exodus 1-2: Israel’s Bondage in Egypt Observation In the years since the close of Genesis, the Hebrews have multiplied rapidly in the land of Egypt. Viewed as a growing threat by an unsympathetic Egyptian King, they are bitterly oppressed and forced to toil long and hard ...

Jacob Blessing the Sons of Joseph, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1656 Scripture January 17—Genesis 48-50: Jacob and Joseph Final Days Observation In contrast to his hectic early years, the last seventeen years of Jacob’s life in Egypt are peaceful. Prior to his death, he gives special blessing to the sons of Joseph. And on his deathbed, Jacob prophesies the destinies of his own sons and their descendants, specifying Judah as the next link in the Messianic line of promise (49:1) . The embalmed remains of Jacob are buried in accordance with his wishes, at Machpelah. Genesis closes with the death of Joseph, who charges, in faith, that his bones be returned to the land of promise when God sees fit to come to the aid of his people. Application “I know what you are going to say. You are going to tell me I must forgive him. Well, I just don’t think I can.” Words can’t do justice to the pain experienced by one who has been betrayed. Trials in lif...

"Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers" by Joseph Cornelius Scripture January 16—Genesis 45-47: Joseph’s Family and Famine Plan Observation Joseph, no longer able to maintain the masquerade, reveals his true identity to his terrified brother. Though they fear revenge, Joseph understands God’s purpose behind the earlier events in his life and rejoices that he is the one to reunite and sustain the family. And so, the entire Hebrew population (seventy in number) moves to Goshen, its “home” for the next 400 years Application Ask a random sampling of Christians for their favorite Bible personality, and chances are Joseph will be a popular choice. Why might this be so? Because in Joseph’s life, you’ll find experiences that nearly everyone identifies with: misunderstanding, mistreatment, unexplainable circumstances, seemingly unanswered prayers, examples of doing the right thing and having it turn out all wrong. Reading the lif...