February 23 Readings

Exodus 16-18; 1 Thessalonians 4

Blended Reading Plan from Back to the Bible

Exodus 16-18 ; 1 Thessalonians 4

Exodus 16 with Commentaries, verse by verse

Exodus 17 with Commentaries, verse by verse

Exodus 16 and 17 showed how God provided for these some two million people. I am sure within a few days of leaving Egypt, they ran out of food and water. God had already had something planned. He provided them with manna and quail. The people were suppose to collect enough manna for each day and collect twice as much for that day and the Sabbath. The verbs grumble, complain and forgot appeared frequently in the books of Exodus and Numbers. They had forgotten how God had delivered them across the Red Sea within a few days! Now, they were hungry. They were told to collect as much as they need. Now needing is different from wanting! When they started to collect manna, some hoarded, and the manna turned into worms. The manna symbolizes to us as Christians, the word of God, it is sweet as honey (Psa 19.10). We are to read His word everyday, some day we read three and get some inspiration, other day we read a couple verses and that keep us for the rest of the day. It is like manna, exo 16.17-18.
God had also provided water for them in Exodus 17. The community were wandering in the wilderness, going from place to place and could not find water and they grumbled to Moses. God told him to go ahead of the people and he struck the rock at Meribah with the rod he used to strike the Nile. He did so and they had water to drink. He called this place Meribah which meant quarelling and Massah which meant testing.
link on manna
Spurgeon on Exo 17.9

In Exo 17.8-15, the Amakelites were defeated by God. All Moses had to do was to hold his hands high, and Joshua and the Israelite army would defeat them. When his hands were tired, Moses hands were lowered, the Amakelites is defeated. Aaron and Hur stood on each side of Moses ans supported each hands. This is like prayer in the battle of life. It is so easy to be tired when you go it alone but when you have people supporting you, you get victorious in God's strength.

Exodus 18 with Commentaries, verse by verse
In Exodus 18 Moses was on the verge of burning out physically and emotionally. He had to listen to all the cases and complaints brought before him. His father-in-law Jethro advise him to delegate some of the work. Sometimes in the ministry, we think we can go it alone, and we don't seem to see anyone who could help you. But this is where you get to know your people. Remember pick godly people and delegate.

Other Links
Calvin Harmony of the Law Volume 1 Search for the chapter you want with (CTRL F)
Calvin Harmony of the Law Volume 2 Search for the chapter you want with (CTRL F)
Calvin Harmony of the Law Volume 3 Search for the chapter you want with (CTRL F)
Calvin Harmony of the Law Volume 4 Search for the chapter you want with (CTRL F)
Dr. Thomas Constable Study Notes is a PDF file, open with Adobe Acrobatic Reader
Deffinbaugh on Exodus
Scott Grant on Exodus



1Thessalonians 4 with Commentaries, verse by verse
Paul wanted the Thesalonian Christians to live to please God (1Thes 4.1-12). The verse that spoke to me today was "It is God's will that you should be santified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should have control over his body." To santify means to be set apart. For example in your house you may have two set of silverware and chinaware. The ordinary everyday utensils and chinaware are used for everyday use. But when you have company you bring out the best chinaware and silverware. You see these are santified for a special purpose. We are like that we are set apart for a holy God and we should live a holy life.
We should live a holy life because the next thing Paul talked about was the coming of the Lord (1Thes 4.13-18). We would not be ashamed when he comes back if we live a holy life. He describe how Jesus will returned, so that we should encourage each other. The world is full of bad news but the good news is Jesus is coming again and that we should rejoice in that.
John Piper on Practical Holiness
John Piper on Lust
John McArthur on Purity, Part 1
John McArthur on Purity, Part 2
John McArthur-What Happens to Christians Who Die?--Part 1
John McArthur-What Happens to Christians Who Die?--Part 2


Other Links
Calvin on 1Thessalonians
John Chrysostom Homilies on First Thessalonians
Dr. Thomas Constable Study Notes is a PDF file, open with Adobe Acrobatic Reader
J. Hampton Keathley, III on 1 Thessalonians
John Piper on 1Thess 3.11-4.2
Jesus Saves

This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.