Today’s reading: Exod 26:1–27:21, John 5:1–15, Song 3:6–11

Today’s theme: God the Artist

God is the author of true art, seen best in His breath-taking creation and in particular, expressed through His creatures. We can rejoice in the creative and artistic nature of our God and serve Him with passion, flare, beauty, celebration and delight filled expressions of worship.

We don’t serve or worship God in monotone, stoic colours and tones, but in vibrant and beautiful corporate and individual expressions of devotion. God’s design specification for the Tabernacle shows He is not a cold God indifferent to beauty, but is Himself the very essence and definition of beauty and is glorified in the beauty, satisfaction and rejoicing of His creatures.

Exodus 26:1–27:21

God the Artist

“And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. It shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it. Exodus 26:31 (ESV)

It is wonderful that in God’s detailed design, building and instructions for the tabernacle, there is room for artistry. God is the original artist. Skilful and artistic expression have their place in service and worship.

Do what God has shown you

You shall make it hollow, with boards. As it has been shown you on the mountain, so shall it be made. Exodus 27:8 (ESV)

Like Jesus said, whatever we do, we should do in accordance with what God has shown us. This could be for example, through His word, our Pastors or something the Lord has laid on our hearts.

John 5:1–15

Do you want to be healed

When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” John 5:6 (ESV)

Jesus asks us the same question today, and if the answer is yes, He has the power to accomplish it in His sovereign grace as we see later in verse 8.

Sin and illness

Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” John 5:14 (ESV)

Although all sickness is connected to the fall of man, illness and misfortune can happen to anyone, therefore we must repent. In this case, Jesus is referring to a specific sin committed by this man that lead to his state of illness. Specific sins can lead to illness and even death, so if God brings healing and deliverance in these cases, it is imperative that we do not return to that sin, just as Jesus warned this man.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014

Additional resources

TGC on John 5

Today’s reading: Exod 24:1–25:40, John 4:43–54, Song 3:3–5

Today’s theme: The heavenly pattern

We see today that the blood of the covenant and the very specific design and purpose of the Tabernacle, pointed towards God the Son, who came to tabernacle and dwell with us in a tent of flesh, to make reconciliation between God and His people. We also learn a very important lesson about heartfelt generosity, true faith and fidelity.

Exodus 24:1–25:40

The blood of the covenant

And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.” Exodus 24:8 (ESV)

This points towards the blood of Jesus, shed for the new covenant.

Be generous

“Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me. Exodus 25:2 (ESV)

Our hearts should be open and generous in giving to the Lord, don’t just give 10% like a begrudged tax! We should genuinely be moved in our hearts to give.

The tabernacle points to Jesus

And see that you make them after the pattern for them, which is being shown you on the mountain. Exodus 25:40 (ESV)

Hebrews 8:5 tells us that the very pattern and design of the tabernacle pointed towards Jesus and the true tabernacle in heaven.

John 4:43–54

The lowest quality of faith

So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” John 4:48 (ESV)

This is the lowest quality of faith, we should always take God at His word.

Song of Solomon 3:3–5

There is a time for intimate love

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases. Song of Solomon 3:5 (ESV)

We must boldly tell our children that they should not be in an intimate and sexual relationship until they are married.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014

Additional resources

TGC on John 4

Today’s reading: Exod 21:1–23:33, John 4:27–42, Song 3:1–2

Today’s theme: Human Trafficking

For many years, European imperialists would grossly distort the bible to justify slavery when in fact, the bible specifically speaks against the type of slavery which defined the Atlantic Slave Trade (1508 – 1838), where men were stolen from their homes and sold like cattle.

God says that this type of human trafficking is worthy of death and is a great sin.

The types of slavery found in bible times were nothing like this abusive and perverted form of slavery.

This destroys the argument that Christianity is the “white man’s” religion or that the bible is a tool for control and tyranny.

Today as Christians, we must take a stand against human trafficking, in all its modern forms.

Human Trafficking

“Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death. Exodus 21:16 (ESV)

The stealing of men from Africa, for sale in the European and American slave trade, was an abomination before God.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014

Additional resources

TGC on Human Trafficking 

Today’s reading: Exod 19:1–20:26, John 4:1–26, Song 2:14–17

Today’s theme: Living Waters

Today we hear about the living water that Jesus makes available to all those who put their trust in Him, the living waters of both eternal life and God the Holy Spirit.

Exodus 19:1–20:26

God’s treasured possession

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; Exodus 19:5 (ESV)

This is beautiful. As we look from God’s perspective, we can see the dual reality of God’s ownership and care for all the earth and His particular special care for Israel.

This also gives us a glimpse of how God relates to His elect people, the bride of Christ, and how in light of this, we should think and feel about the Lord. He should be our most precious treasure.

The most important command

“You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3 (ESV)

The first, greatest and most important commandment. God should be the only God in our lives. God rightly has His glory uppermost in His affections, to Him belongs all glory.

Six literal days

For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. Exodus 20:11 (ESV)

Many say that the days of creation, in Genesis, are just poetical and represent ages… really?… Well this scripture which is directly from the Lord, clarifies that  God created the world in six literal days.

John 4:1–26

Living water

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13–14 (ESV)

This is a declaration by Jesus that He is the promised Messiah (“I will”). The living, rushing water that satisfies eternally are the joint gifts of the Holy Spirit and eternal life, which Jesus offers to all who would come and drink.

Song of Solomon 2:14–17

Those little foxes

Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.” Song of Solomon 2:15 (ESV)

Small compromises that slowly destroy your life.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014

Additional resources

Desiring God on John 4

Today’s reading: Exod 16:1–18:27, John 3:22–36, Song 2:8–13

Today’s theme: Prepared to lead

God was preparing Joshua to lead by exposing him to the power and authority of His Word. We see the perfect example of leadership in Jesus who secures eternal salvation for all those who trust in Him through His own servant like leadership. He offers himself as the payment for our sins. The servant like leadership of Jesus is only possible through and motivated by God’s love.

Exodus 16:1–18:27

Prepared to lead

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Exodus 17:14 (ESV)

The Lord was preparing Joshua to lead. Without God’s Word, leadership will always be lacking.

God’s mighty acts

Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.” (Exodus 18:11, ESV)

The testimony of the Lord’s mighty acts increased and defined Jethro’s faith in Him.

John 3:22–36

Have eternal life

The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.(John 3:35–36, ESV)

We have (not will get one day but have it now) eternal life if we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ . This eternal security finds its roots in the Father’s love for the Son.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014

Additional resources

Albert Mohler on Leadership part 1 and 2