TODAY’S READING:
Exodus 4:1-5:21
Matthew 18:1-20
Psalm 22:19-31
Proverbs 5:15-21
We return to Moses talking to God. Yesterday he had two questions (Exodus 3:11 & 13); today he has three excuses (Exodus 4:1, 10, & 13).
Exodus 5:3 is a bit odd at first glance – wasn’t Moses supposed to be asking for emancipation, not just a vacation? Is Moses backpedaling on God’s instruction? Looking at the context from yesterday and today we see that God gave them the words to say (Exodus 3:15; 4:28 & 30). Was God demonstrating that Pharaoh’s heart was so hardened that he wouldn’t sign off on a brief vacation to protect his workforce (Exodus 5:3 – lest he fall upon us with pestilence)? Benson’s Commentary on Exodus 5:3 shares this perspective.
Matthew 18:6 — If you work in children’s ministry (Sunday School, Christian Day School, Parenting, etc.), it’s not “filling in” because the pastor couldn’t find anyone else. This is serious business. You are dealing with the model citizens of heaven (Matthew 18:4) and the equivalency of a death penalty (Matthew 18:6). Take heed to your ministry (Colossians 4:17)! Also, if Matthew 18 becomes a verb in your vocabulary (“Matthew 18’d him but he still didn’t repent”), make sure you have the right attitude. Matthew 18:15-17 was not written to justify you in your disputes but to emphasize how important Christian unity is. Keep making the effort to reconcile (Psalm 133).
Psalm 22:27 — Even though our Exodus reading introduces the LORD to Pharoah as the God of the Hebrews, our Psalm reading reminds us that the LORD’s kingdom will have no end (Isaiah 9:7), and all nations shall worship before Him!
Proverbs 5:21 — Here we see another “anthropomorphism” – the “eyes of the Lord.” While it’s difficult to comprehend omnipresence, Solomon reminds us God sees us. As Joseph told us earlier this year – when we sin, it’s not just against a fellow human, it’s against God because it is in His sight.
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