Daily Reading Passages

Click below for access to the passages. Biblegateway.com is an excellent site with many versions of the Bible. The link below opens in NIV.  Youversion.com is a new site that allows you to annotate your own Bible, make notes, and comments once you create an account. That link opens in the TNIV version. Other versions are available at both sites.

Coaching Comments

The Old Testament reading today, Exodus 4:1 - 5:21, continues the story of Moses as he takes up his mission to join in as god frees the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. It's a rough start. Moses isn't sure he wants the job. He isn't sure he's capable. He's standing in front of God, and still isn't sure that it's such a good idea. God gives him some miraculous signs and then lets him call in Aaron his brother to help. Finally Moses sets off to get the job done. On the way God tells him that He will harden Pharaoh's heart, in order to escalate the situation.

A lot of people get concerned about this. It doesn't seem fair to our way of thinking. There are a number of theological conversations around this, but suffice it to say here that this is another reminder that this situation is really not about Pharaoh. Just like in Joseph's story, we have to keep in mind that God is operating on a long plan, one that has to do with His purpose to establish a people, and ultimately send Jesus. God' plan is bigger than Joseph, Moses, Pharaoh - even bigger than Israel. As we read this narrative we've got to keep that in mind.

There's a very strange little incident on the way to Egypt, verses 4:24-26. It's strange as it stands, but it's complicated by the fact that there are textual variants that have Moses being the main figure, as well as equally supported textual variants that have the main character as Moses' son. What's going on here? What's God up to. I cannot say. Maybe it was some kind of reminder for Moses to keep the covenant of circumcision. Since his wife wasn't Hebrew, they might not have actually done it with their son. Anyway... it's weird stuff.

When Moses and Aaron finally met with Pharaoh, things only got worse. He toughened the work requirements for the Hebrew slaves, and this turned them against Moses. Things looked harder and more complicated than ever.

Back in Matthew 18:1-20, our New Testament reading we get a long sequence of teachings from Jesus.

First, the disciples ask Jesus who is the greatest in His new kingdom. Undoubtedly wondering about their position. Jesus brings a child up as the example, a dependent child with no standing. That's what it takes to received what God has, to approach life in that way, knowing you are dependent fully on God. Jesus also teaches a bit on sin and temptations. There are great woes promised to those that lead others, especially children, astray. Here Jesus uses some over-the-top hyperbole to make his point. This sin stuff is so destructive that it's better to lose body parts that to let the sin destroy you. Those are certainly hard words to a culture that is so desensitized to sin.

This is where we find the amazing image of the shepherd looking for the one lost sheep, and a vital insight into the heart of our Heavenly father. We also get Jesus' teaching on the resolution of interpersonal conflict between His followers. Always start going one-on-one, looking for reconciliation. If they refuse, take one or two wise people with you to verify the truth and mediate the conversation. If that doesn't work, take it to the church. Please note: this was written in the time of home churches. This passage can't even image the concept of making someone get up in front of a crowd at church to confess their sin or be held accountable. This is only referring to a group of Christians committed to being in each other's lives. That's the circle you're taking it too. This is a relational solution, not a bureaucratic one. And of course, the final (often misinterpreted) step. If none of the above works, treat the offender like a pagan or a tax collector. Think carefully before you answer. How did Jesus treat pagans and tax collectors?

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He loved them and hung out with them with the purpose of transforming their lives. Let's not get this one wrong. This section ends with a reiteration of the binding and loosing teachings that Jesus had given Peter a couple of sections ago, and a new teaching on prayer. However you interpret binding and loosing, these verses are clear on this: followers of Jesus have a power and responsibility to take spiritual action through prayer in this world.

Note: There have been a number of questions and comments on this passage, so I've expanded it into an article: Conflict in the Church. If you're interested you can read that, and we can continue any discussion on this matter on that page.

The Psalms reading for today is the second half of the 22nd Psalm, Psalms 22:19-31. Remember that this Psalm is significant in two ways. First, it is a messianic prophecy. Second, it is the Psalm that Jesus was quoting from the cross when He said, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" This is important, because as we read the remainder of the Psalm, we can see what He was referring to. Yesterday we saw the lament portion of the text, but today it takes a different turn.

Now the text starts talking about deliverance, and how the speaker is going to praise God in front of crowds because of what He's done. It ends with this amazing scene of the people of the earth bowing down in worship and praise, as God's righteousness is proclaimed throughout the earth. The Psalm that starts in the pit of abandonment ends in a victory parade of celebration. You see, this is what was in Jesus' mind on the cross. He could quote this Psalm because it expressed His utter sense of hopelessness staring into the sin of all humanity, but it also spoke of the victory that was to come by drinking that cup. For Jesus, it wasn't a lament, but the painful path to complete victory.

The reading in Proverbs today, Proverbs 5:15-21, continued the warnings against adultery and sexual sin. Solomon talks about the good things of a pure marriage relationship, and contrasts that with the destruction that comes from violating that covenant.

2007 Cohort Comments