Exodus 18-20

In chapter 18 we find the story of Moses' reunion with his father-in-law. Jethro saw how Moses was handling the cases and he gave some very wise guidance. A wise example that Jesus would adopt for his ministry(18:21).
Stuart

Exodus 15-17

God answered Pharaoh's question of who he is with 10 plagues that devastated Egypt. Egypt should have understood that the God of Israel was more powerful than their deities. And Israel was witness to the question and God's answer. But once they were on their own in the wilderness they began to have questions about their God. When they ran out of water they wondered if their God had forgotten to plan for this. There was a rock nearby that provided the water they needed, showing that God knew what he was doing. Next they ran out of food. So Israel asked the same question; why did God bring them to this place without a plan to feed them? But God did have a plan to feed them. Through the quail and manna God gave them everything they needed for the journey he had planned.
Stuart

Psalm 24

In verses 7-8 David speaks to the gates of Jerusalem; preparing them for the entrance of God's great king. What David might not have been shown is the number of gates that would be torn down and built up before God's great king passed through them. But David's words were proven true. For 30 some years the King of Glory passed through those gates. He did come as a conqueror, but the enemy he so soundly defeated were death and sin.
Stuart

Exodus 12-14

When Moses returned to Egypt he passed on God’s message to Pharaoh.  In turn the king of Egypt asked the question; “Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go?” (Exodus 5:2)  After that harsh response and the king’s equally harsh treatment of the workers of Israel there were only two people in Egypt who bought into God’s plan of redemption.  But that was all God needed.  As He work his wonders God repeatedly explained that it was so the people would know who God is.  (Exodus 7:5, 17; 8:22; 10:2)  By the time God was ready to strike Egypt with the tenth plague the number of believers in Israel had grown from 2 (Moses and Aaron) to “all the people” (Exodus 12:27b-28).  And after the Passover Pharaoh had his answer; the LORD is King of kings and Lord of lords.

Stuart

Psalm 23

I have one question about the well known psalm. Where is God's dwelling which the psalmist referenced at the end of the psalm? Was it the temple? Was it the household of Israel? Was it the eternal presence of God? What ideas would have come to the minds of those early worshipers who knew the tune to these words? I think the idea intended was a never ending love relationship with God. But I could be wrong.
Stuart

Exodus 9-11

Tomorrow.  That was the answer Pharaoh gave to Moses when given the opportunity to set the time for the frogs to be gone (Exodus 8:10).  That word must have started to haunt Pharaoh.  Moses used it to explain when the flies would arrive (8:23) and when they would leave (8:29).  It was the description of the timing for the death of Egypt’s livestock (9:5).  It described the timetable for the beginning of the hailstorm (9:18).   Moses spoke about locusts showing up.  When?  Tomorrow (10:4).  Moses may have repeated the timeframe of tomorrow many other times to Pharaoh.  The message Moses displayed to all of Israel and Egypt by citing the coming days was that the LORD is in charge of tomorrows.  And not just the tomorrows of ancient Egypt.  He is in charge of all the tomorrows from 2011 until the end of time.  We can take comfort in the message of the term that tormented the ancient and arrogant leader of Egypt. 

Stuart

Psalm 22

I wonder how many times this psalm came to Jesus' mind in 33 years? I'm sure that the cross wasn't the first time he sought God's comfort from David's words. Were these the first words out of his mouth as he joined his mother beside Joseph's lifeless body? Was this part of his prayer in Gethsemene? Did he teach those words to his nieces and nephews? It is a psalm I need to capture as well.
Stuart

Exodus 5-8

God began to work out his plan of deliverance.  Moses would negotiate with Pharaoh for the emancipation of Israel.  The people must have thought that Moses’ argument would be so convincing that the Egyptian political structure would comply immediately.   What a plan!!!!  All the people of Israel believed in this plan.  I’ll bet they began packing.

But no sooner were the first words of the plan spoken that Pharaoh shut it down.  From the perspective of all the people of Israel God’s plan had failed.  Not only were they still in Egypt, but the workload they were facing had just become worse.  They had always been driven to make bricks and build.  But after Moses “interfered” Israel’s workers were insulted and forced to provide materials on their own.  The cuts in the government provisions became unbearable.  So much for the political solution that Israel, and maybe even Moses, had foreseen.  Not only did Pharaoh reject God’s plan so did the people of Israel.

The problem is the people’s plan was NOT God’s plan.  It was when Moses asked God why that God clarified his plan.  God had never expect mere words to do anything.  God had a plan of action.  Not action on behalf of the people, but his action.  His work would impact the lives of Israel, but it would also touch the sensitive places of Egypt.  Moses heard God’s plan and bought into it.  He didn’t hesitate this time like he did at the bush.  Moses rushed off and told the people what God was going to do.  But no one believed him.  Aaron may have been skeptical as well.  Moses wanted to know how he could convince Egypt if he couldn’t convince Israel to believe.  God had to straighten out Moses again; “You’re not going to convince anyone.  I am!”  Exodus 7:6 describes the reaction of the first two converts in God’s plan of redemption; “..Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the LORD commanded them.”  Out of over one million people in Israel God had found 2 people who believed in his plan.  Now God was ready to act.

Stuart

Psalm 21

This psalm begins with the mention of two assets a ruler should recognize have their origins with God: strength and deliverance. Every stable society will have a strength that not only protects them but also unites them. In the same way an enduring government will prevail against external attacks and internal rebellions. These acts of deliverance also come from God's hands.
Stuart

Exodus 3-4

God spoke to Moses from the flame in the bush. Beginning in 3:7 God described to Moses what he saw and what he planned to accomplish. In verses 7, 8, and 9 he revealed to Moses what his divine will had planned to happen. Then in verse 10 he told Moses how he was going to get the plan moving; Moses was going to start the whole delivery process. All of Heaven bent forward to hear the words that would ring through history. The angels leaned closer to catch the response of this man whom God had chosen. Maybe even the earth held its breath anticipating the choice this faithful warrior would make. What were the monumental proclamation from God's select leader? "Who? Me!?!?" I some how that nearly all of Heaven let out a collective ,"DOOL!!!" as they slapped their forehead. All of Heaven.....except God. He lovingly, patiently, tirelessly directed Moses into the position of servant hood where God had prepared him to be. Then Moses said yes. Just like God had planned it all along.
Stuart

Exodus 1-2

There is no way to miss the sorrow surrounding Moses' birth. Though he was a special child the command of death loomed over him. How many baby boys had already died? How many mothers wailed daily over their son's murder. The threat of violence against the innocent would have been oppressive to the people. I'm sure that many families had tried many different ways to save their sons. But how many of them put them in a floating basket? Jachabed did and saw his son's life not only saved, but he was elevated to the same level that Joseph had been. Indeed he was a special child.
Stuart

Psalm 20

In verse 3 David issues a blessing that I have seldom considered; that God would look in favor on my sacrifices. I have never asked that for myself nor for those believers around me. "May [God] take notice of your offerings." I wonder if that is what the poor widow prayed as she dropped those two copper coins in the box? (Mark 12:42) I wonder if Jesus spoke that blessing on the widow before he used her to teach his disciples about sacrifice? I can just imagine the God of all creation stopping his action and looking with overflowing love as that believer bends down to pick up the letter dropped by the mom seeking to round up her kids. And then he turns his attention to the disciple who offers a refugee a cup of water in his name. May God take notice of your offering.
Stuart

Mark 13-16

In Mark 13 Jesus explains the destruction of the temple and the end of the days of history. In verse 30 he proclaims that"the generation will not pass away" before these things are fulfilled. Because of the time that has passed we know that Jesus dId not mean; "you living today will be alive when I return." But do we know what he wanted us to understand? He could have meant the those hearing him would see the temple destroyed; which happened. One note I read said the Jesus was offering the assurance that mankind would persist until Jesus returns; which so far is true. In all the fuss over what Mark 13:30 might mean we need to remember Jesus' focus, which he spoke in verse 37; Be ready.
Stuart

Psalm 19

In verse 13 the psalmist implores God not to allow his sins to enslave him. Could he understand that freedom from sin would not be realized until God walked on earth? Until the Son of God gave up his life so that true freedom could be realized.
Stuart

Mark 10-12

It’s not very often that a nobody gets any notice.  If Jesus had witnessed the Pharisee and tax collector praying (Luke 18:10-13), even if not in the same location at the same time, it would have been presumed that the Pharisee would have received his notice; not the tax collector.  The poor widow that Jesus noted in Mark 12:42 was not recognized by name or any other feature.  She will be remembered for eternity for her faith that moved her to total surrender.  Did she overhear Jesus speaking to his disciples?  What did she do after she left the temple?  Did she go home and bake her last meal and wait to die of starvation?  Did she try to find some work to squeeze out one more day’s worth of food?  Did she sell herself in order to feed her family?  Maybe even with a hope that God would see her sacrifice and reward her ten or one hundred fold.  We won’t know what happened to her this side of heaven.  I imagine that she walked away from the temple that day with a joy in her heart that didn’t fit her life’s circumstances. 

Stuart

Mark 7-9

Most people have John 11:35 memorized; “Jesus wept.”  But how many recall the summary of Mark 7:33 and 8:23?  Jesus spat.  I don’t think I had recalled the close proximity in record or the similarity of Jesus’ actions.  A deaf mute and a blind man where healed when Jesus spat.  If we throw in the record of John 9:6 we know that Jesus used his saliva at change the lives of the people he touched.  Is there any great spiritual lesson in this trivia?  Maybe knowing how real of a person Jesus was.  He spat.

Stuart

Mark 4-6

In the middle of chapter 5 Mark recounts the story of the woman healed of the bleeding issue. Why did Jesus demand to know who she was? I don't believe it was for his sake. He knew God had used him to heal and had in fact healed others without seeing their face. It might have been to encourage the woman to tell everyone what God had done for her. It might have been for his disciples, so that they would be on the lookout for opportunities to serve God wherever they went. I think it was for the benefit of the crowd. They were pressing in to touch him, quite possibly, without the realization of how close they were to God. Maybe without understanding Emmanuel.
Stuart

Psalm 17

The last two verses of this psalm display that God gives all people what they desire. To those who want to build a name on this earth he gives riches and offspring (vs 14). The righteous may lack both of those worldly possession but will receive the greater reward; God's revelation of himself.
Stuart

Mark 1-3

The story of the crippled man and his faithful friends (Mark 2:1-12) has a number of surprises in the story. I am surprised that the friends were so persistent that they wouldn't let a crowd keep them away. It is surprising the first need Jesus addressed was the cripples forgiveness of sin and not his ailment. I'm sure the pharisees were surprised that Jesus made the connection between forgiveness of sins and healing of a cripple. The crowd was surely surprised that Jesus spoke both forgiveness and healing to a crippled man. What should not be a surprise is the message that Jesus re-enforced with this wonder; that he is the Son of God.
Stuart

Psalm 16

Where is God in our times of trouble? David was a man who knew God well, but he was also acquainted with trouble. In those times of conflict he may have asked that question. But how many times did it take before he realized God was at his right hand? Verse 8 of this psalm focuses on that truth. When we understand, like David did, that God is the source of all our strength we can join in with in saying, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
Stuart

Psalm 15

"George Washington slept here.". That is a statement that many colonial establishments want to include on their historical claims. To have a celebrity visit is as impressive as sleeping at a celebrity's house would be. This psalm asks who's going to stay at God's house. Wouldn't it be neat if Entertainment Tonight focused on that story? The really neat thing about that idea is that everyone has been invited. To be welcomed in the psalmist list a few characteristics: a blameless life, honest and beneficial vocabulary, gentleness, and encouraging. They must be faithful, generous, and not greedy. When all those traits are stacked on top of faith they are welcome in God's house.
Stuart

Genesis 43-46

Israel and his family began the trip to Egypt. I'm sure that Israel had some reservations about this trip. God had told Isaac not to go to Egypt. He knew that Abraham had problems in that land. So God spoke to Israel at Beersheba (Gen 46:3) removing any doubt in regard to this move. God promised his faithful follower that Egypt would be the incubator for the future nations. God also promised that he would bring the people of Israel back to their inheritance. The last promise God made was that Joseph would be with him when he died. I wonder if Israel was just a little miffed that God had never told him of Joseph's life during the proceeding twenty-some years?
Stuart

Psalm 14

The wicked act out their evil. If they attack God's people they act swiftly. But the psalmist points out that their actions are based on fear. They are afraid of what God might do. That is where confidence in God comes in to play. 
Stuart

Genesis 40-42

I wonder why Joseph chose Simeon to be imprisoned?  We was moved to tears at the realization that his brothers had not forgotten him or the great harm they had caused him.  Was is Simeon that had pushed Joseph into the pit?  Was it Simeon that had handled the transaction with the slave traders?  Was it Simeon’s laugh that was still ringing in Joseph’s ears from that lifetime ago?  Joseph’s experience did not endear him to torturing his brothers.  I don’t think he reveled in his dream coming true of his imprisonment of Simeon.  I believe Joseph saw men who had been changed by age and experience.  I think his actions were intended to let them know that in the midst of uncertainty and sorrow God was still in control.  That was a lesson that Joseph learned during his 13 years in slavery and prison followed by 7 years of God’s overwhelming abundance.

Stuart

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Paul of Tarsus

Psalm 13

Vindication. That is what each of us want from those who speak against us. But it is an elusive goal. In our pursuit we tend to go too far and demand revenge rather than hold back for vindication. When David wrote this psalm his complaint focused on God's apparent inactivity. He saw God doing nothing. There were no changes in his situation so the temptation was that God is not active. But David closes by speaking his faith. He expects God to act, and in spite of the circumstances he begins the process of waiting on God to act.
Stuart

Genesis 37-39

Though the focus of chapters 37 and 39 are on Joseph there is a dramatic change in the attitude of another son of Israel.  Just a few years earlier Reuben had committed adultery with Bilhah, one of Israel’s wives (Gen 35:22).  When his brothers plotted to kill Joseph Reuben stopped them.  Though he had been stripped of his position of firstborn, because of his sin with Bilhah, he was still able to persuade his brothers.  What had changed Reuben from a self-serving young man into a responsible adult?  Had he married and had children?  Or maybe he realized the pain that he had caused his father by his selfishness, and his remorse led him to change his life.  Maybe losing his position before his father helped him to see all that he had been given.  And God used that loss to reshape Reuben’s heart from one of selfishness to selflessness.

Stuart

Genesis 33-36

Jacob limped. He approached Esau bowing in humility before him. When Jacob was received by his brother he recalled the struggle from the night before. He must have recalled his feeling from when he saw the LORD face to face. The joy was repeated when he saw that Esau's anger was gone.
Stuart

Psalm 10

Verse 3 jumped out at my heart; what can I do when my foundation is destroyed? Verse 4 is either a pointer to my true foundation in God, or it is a reminder that the foundation of a Christian's life can never be taken away. When life seems broken beyond repair I need a reminder that such a claim is a lie. My life may be full of hurt, I may be floating in a sea of misery, but the foundation of the godly is as firm as it has ever been.
Stuart

Psalm 10

The contrast between verse 1 and verse 17 couldn't be any more dramatic. The hopelessness that opened the psalm evaporates as the singer concludes his song. The sorrow of neglect is replaced with the reassurance of divine support. I wonder if the prayer was answered or if God's presence was recognized in the words of praise? Did the psalmist's enemies fall down before him or did the power of God's Spirit open his eyes to the persistence of God's presence? Was victory realized or did faith take over; trusting in God's perfect timing?
Stuart

Genesis 27-29

Rebekah and Jacob conspired to steal the blessing that Isaac had planned for Esau.  When they succeeded Esau grumbled against his brother and rashly spoke of killing him.  In response Rebekah told Jacob to prepare to leave under the guise of finding a wife from her brother’s house hold.  In verse 45 Rebekah justified this plan with the question, “Why should I lose both of you in one day?”  To which two was she referring?  It could have been Jacob and Isaac; fearing that Esau would act out his vengeance on the same day that Isaac dies.  I think it is more likely that she was referring to both of her sons.  Rebekah must have heard the story of Cain and Abel.  On the same day that Abel was taken from Eve by murder Cain was sent away from his mother by God.  Just as the first parents were cast out of God’s presence by their sinful choice Cain was cast away from his family by his sinfulness.  I think Rebekah would rather risk sending Jacob away for a short time than losing him to death and having Esau banished from her presence.

Stuart

Psalm 9

In verse 19 the psalmist calls for God to judge the nations. How can any judgment be made; by the comparison of the wicked to the righteous, the acts of the disobedient to the response of the faithful. Who could be the standard of righteousness and obedience? The man Jesus. And to those who respond to God's invitation he has imparted Jesus' righteousness. By his grace we meet the standard for judgment. Thank you Lord.
Stuart

Psalm 8

As verses 3 and 4 point out how can mankind compare to the wonder of creation. I wonder if David was thinking of men's persistent bent to sin; perpetually challenging God's authority? I wonder if David considered the waste of human efforts on selfish desires in comparison to the harmony of nature? In spite of our failings we can still join with this psalmist and sing of God's wonder.
Stuart

Genesis 21-23

Genesis 21 and 22 are full of pictures of Christ. Like Isaac he was born to a woman who was not suppose to have children,  the son of a promised, and was circumcised on the eighth day.  Like Isaac Jesus would also be offered up as a sacrifice.
Stuart

Genesis 18-20

I have often wondered why God sent two angels to visit Sodom.  He sent only Jonah to Nineveh, but there were 12 and 72 that Jesus sent out to Israel.  Most other angelic appearances in the Bible are solo, save the chorus that proclaimed God’s greatness to the shepherds outside of Bethlehem.  So why did God send two angels to Sodom?  I think one reason might be that God knew he would need only 4 hands.  In 19:16 we see that when Lot and his small family hesitated the angels grabbed each one by the hand and drug them out of the city.  There was only Lot, his wife, and his two daughters.  God sent exactly what was need to deliver his people in exactly the right way and the perfect time.  Will he not do the same thing for modern believers?

Stuart

Psalm 6

David had a history of God answering his prayers. He may not have fully understood why God had taken a shine to him, but he could not doubt what he had seen God do. After another night of weeping before God verses 8 and 9 reveal the confidence in the God who sees, hears, and acts on behalf of his people. David had poured his heart out to his God and now he waited in expectation of God's deliverance. Was David ever disappointed in God's response? Not that scripture reveals.
Stuart

Genesis 15-17

In Genesis 16 we find the story of Ishmael’s conception and birth.  Abram and Sarai’s attempt to “hurry” God along in his promise keeping.  Ishmael was neither the son of promise nor the son to receive Abram’s inheritance.  There was one more test that God needed to set before Abram before the son could be born; the sign of the covenant.  Thirteen years after Ishmael was born God spoke to Abram again.  Things were going to change.  But the change would only be noticeable to those who were intimately involved with each other.  Circumcision became a sign of partnership with God.  It was after God revealed his purpose in circumcision that the son of promise, by Sarah, was mentioned again.  With the sign came a change of names.  Once Abram became Abraham, after he obeyed God’s command regarding his flesh, following his command for his household to follow suite, then God began the next act of his promise keeping.  I wonder how much time expired between Genesis 17:27 and 18:1?  I think it was just long enough to heal.

Stuart

Psalm 5

Verse 1 of this psalm tells me something very important about God; he'll listen to my complaint. When I am frustrated he will not respond in anger. If I lash out at him his hand will be still. He will allow me, a faithful servant who is hurting, to vent my hopelessness. And then he will respond seeking to heal. He will eventually lead me to reconciliation with others, and he will stay with me every painful step of the way.
Stuart

Genesis 13-14

As Abram wandered about in the Promised Land he came back to his first altar. The story doesn't say whether he intended to return or if God led him there. When he arrived he worshiped God and God spoke with him again. In this promise God revealed that the land of his wandering would become a divine promise. Jesus may bring us back to a familiar place or stage in life. His purpose may be to remind us of a promise he has made and to urge us to move in a new direction.
Stuart

Psalm 4

David reminds he readers to meditate on God's word, even as we lie down to rest. We need to keep God's word near to us so that his word will be our ready defense against the temptations to give up on God. His provisions for a situation are not always physical or emotional. Sometimes all that he gives us to work through a struggle is his promises. That is normally not what we want. But David points out that with God's promises he was able to lie down at night; to meditate and to get the rest that he needed. We can do the same.
Stuart

Genesis 10-12

At the beginning of Genesis 11 we find a description of a unified people living on earth. They are all children of Noah and they share the same language. Unfortunately they share the same lust for power. Once again the people of the world challenge God's position of supremacy. This is the third time that God has stepped in and taken humanity down a notch; the curse, the flood, and now the confusion. God scrambled their language. The people had unified around their pride. God sought to unify people around him and his love. And God planned one more humiliation for all people. There would be one more time when God would shut down the pride of the world. The curse, the flood, the confusion, and then there would be the cross. With this last humiliation God provided a way to unite people around himself and his love.
Stuart

Psalm 3

I'm praying to see Jesus in the passages that I am reading. I know he won't be evident in every verse, but I believe there will be some aspect in most passages. I'm curious whether David wrote Psalm 3 during Absolom's attack or when he recalled the events at a later time. Either way David sought and saw the hand of the Prince of Peace all around him. He didn't know how things would work out, but he was able to rest in the provisions that God gave him little by little exactly when David needed them. I guess this is an example to keep moving but trust God to supply.
Stuart

Genesis 6-9

In Genesis 8:21-22 God promised t never curse the ground or destroy the earth again. He had acted in justice because of the sinfulness of mankind, but one act of obedience led him to this change of heart. Noah offered a sacrifice. In 8:20 Noah took some of the clean animals that had endured the flood with him and burnt them to honor God. As a picture of the coming Christ Noah gave first to God's name trusting in God to provide what he needed. God responded by promising mercy on Noah's descendants.
Stuart

Psalm 2

Why do the nations plan to attack God's authority? Why do they view his rule as shackles that need to be discarded? Why do so many rulers see Jesus as a jailer rather than a savior? It is because of our sin and especially our pride. Jesus is the greatest threat to our imagined self-sufficiency. If we accept Jesus we have to accept his position as ultimate ruler.
Stuart

Genesis 3-5

I wonder if Adam and Eve ate of the tree of life even once? The physical lifespan of Adam and his sons was amazingly long, by our terms. Were those years enabled by God's original design or by the power of the tree of life? I think that both of those images point to the power of Jesus at work in our life.
Stuart

Psalm 1

My plan as I read through the Bible this year is to look for the reflections of Jesus in the verses. I know his image may not be obvious in many places but surely there is much to see of his nature is the written revelation. Like Psalm 1. The first three verses provide a detailed description of Jesus' life and interaction with people. His definition of the wicked may differ from his contemporaries, but his example should be crystal clear for us; making it an easier example to follow.
Stuart