(72) 13 March : Proverbs 11v30 / Exodus 12v1-13v16 / Psalm 19v7-8

BEGIN WITH PRAYER

"Lord open my eyes and my heart."

Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. 

Wisdom to chew on

Proverbs 11:30

Understanding to grow in

The importance of the passover festival is highlighted by the space given it and God commanding it begin Israel's year. The threat of being cut-off from Israel if not adhering to its detail is a necessary way of ensuring it is kept so that the people remember their redemption (13v8-10, 14-16). And it brings home that Israel were not spared because of being more righteous, but simply because of God's mercy. A substitute had to die for their sin, and their firstborn were then to be sort of bought back from the LORD. As with all Israel's history, God instituted the passover as a pointer to Christ. He was "the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (Jn 1v29) and sacrificed during the festival (Matt 26v18-30). He is therefore the perfect substitute without blemish, who dies in place of sinners so that God's judgment passes over them. He is the one we are to feast on spiritually through faith, as pictured in the Lord's Supper. He is the one we must respond to with urgency, and whose redemption begins our journey to the promised land of the new creation. As you read note other parallel's between Israel's redemption and ours.
Exodus 12:1-13:16

Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:

1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.

2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.

Devotion to offer up

You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.

Psalm 19:7-8

·       For introductions to the various Bible books click here.

·       To consult Matthew Henry’s concise commentary click here.