ESV Chronological Plan, Day 35 | Exodus 19-23

LOOK | WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Read Exodus 19:1-23:33

THINK | WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

(A) The holiness and awe of God. In Exodus 19, we witness a profound moment as the Israelites stand at the foot of Mount Sinai, awaiting the presence of God. The Lord instructs Moses to remind the people of the covenant He desires to establish with them. As they prepare to encounter God on the mountain, we are reminded of the holiness of God and the reverence we should approach Him with. This passage teaches us that our relationship with God is not casual; it is built on a covenant that demands respect, obedience, and a heart set apart for Him. Just as the Israelites were set apart as a chosen people, we too are called to be a holy nation, reflecting the love and righteousness and goodness of our Creator. May we approach God with awe and gratitude, recognizing the privilege of being in covenant relationship with the One who loves us beyond measure, pursues us by His grace, and gives Himself for our restoration.

(B) Jesus and the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 are a gift; out of His love and goodness, God graciously bestowed them upon His people. They are not burdensome, but rather a delight. These "ten words," or instructions, serve as a compass for righteous living, a reflection of God's perfect and holy nature. As followers of Jesus, we recognize these commandments not merely as a set of rules, but as a manifestation of God's love and desire for our well-being. In Christ, we find the fulfillment of these commandments: His sacrificial love covers our shortcomings and empowers us to live according to God's standards. In the commandments, we see an invitation to intimacy with God, a call to honor Him above all else (commands #1-4), and to love our neighbors as ourselves (commands #6-10). Through Christ's redemptive work, we find grace and forgiveness when we fall short, guiding us to a life of obedience that is fueled by love, faith, and devotion to God.

(C) The variety of commands in Exodus 21-23. These two chapters seem like sort of a grab-bag of miscellaneous commands, and (as far as I can tell) they are. Some of them seem immediately sensible; others will require some more looking into and thinking about, though there are answers if we spend the time to find them out. But God's law is a reflection of God's character. If we trust Him, we will trust the commands that He gives. We might not always understand them. But in the end we will find that His way is better than our way; His thoughts higher than our thoughts.

RESPOND | WHAT IS OUR PART?

God's character, and His holiness, are reflected in His commands; they are good because He is good, and they are wise because He is wise. We can try to run away from them, but we don't break them so much as we end up breaking ourselves against them. This, He seems to say, is how I meant for you to be in rhythm with how I made the world. So let's not be resentful when God's commands seem to be contrary to what we wish we had permission to do. Let's not try to carve out our own exemptions. But let's lean in, because we can know God through the wisdom of His law. Let every part of our lives look winsomely inexplicable to the world around us; inexplicable--unless we were followers of God.

PRAY | HOW DOES THIS BRING US CLOSER TO GOD?

Here is a short prayer prompt: "God, thank You for Your Word--for Your instructions, and Your guidance in my life. Thank You for the wisdom and love embedded in Your laws. They are a reflection of Your holiness. I'm grateful that, when interpreted through the accomplished work of Jesus, they act like a compass for my soul, steering me towards righteousness before You and compassion towards others. Please etch Your commands on my heart so that I might be filled with joy and gladness as I live before You. And when I fail, which I will, thank You for the blood of Christ that covers my sins, and calls me back to You, to get up with the strength that You provide and to try again."