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

Today's Old Testament reading, Exodus 8:1 - 9:35, continues the dramatic showdown between Yahweh God and Egypt - their gods and Pharaoh.

A week after the first plague, Moses headed back to Pharoah to ask again for the Hebrews to leave. this time, after the plague of frogs Pharaoh begged Moses to take them away. He did, but then Pharaoh hardened his heart. That led to the plague of gnats. This time Pharaoh's sorcerers told him that this was something they couldn't do. It must be the hand of God! But still, Pharaoh wouldn't listen.

The next plague had an interesting twist. God sent a plague of flies to inundate the land, but specifically kept them out of Goshen, where the Hebrews lives. This was a public distinction He was making to show Pharoah more of His power. This time Pharaoh assented, telling Moses that he and the people could go and offer sacrifices to God, but here in Egypt, rather than in the wilderness. Moses said that wouldn't work. Finally Pharaoh agreed, but as soon as the flies were gone, he changed his mind. The same thing happened again with a plague upon the livestock, and again with a plague of boils.

Finally god sent a life-threatening plague, a terrible hailstorm like no one had ever seen. But He gave warning to the people through Moses. Some of the Egyptians believed it an took precautions, others did not. The only place the hail didn't fall was Goshen. But even this would not convince Pharaoh.

It's interesting to read this story from the outside, knowing the end. The plagues get worse and worse, and while Pharaoh for a moment reconsiders, each time he ultimately decides to go his own way. I know this is a pattern I have seen again and again. God wants to get our attention. he speaks softly, but we ignore Him. He speaks more loudly in our circumstances, but we go into denial. He brings stern rebuke to us through scripture or Godly friends, and we get offended. And so, as we continue to set our hearts on our own path, God is left with very few options. He has to bring us to our knees, before we see the error of our ways and make a change. It's tragic, really. God grant me the faith and obedience to listen to You when You whisper.

In Matthew 19:13-30, our New Testament reading, we get an interesting contrast in how different people come to Jesus. The first three verses show the little children who just want to be with Jesus. The disciples hinder them, because they aren't important enough for Jesus' time, but He chastises them and receives the children.

The rest of the passage is the story often called the "Rich Young Ruler." This guy comes to Jesus, looking for affirmation for his spiritual journey. He had kept all the commandments, rigorously fulfilling the law. But he wanted to make sure. So, Jesus challenged him to give up his security - his wealth. But this, the young man couldn't do. This sparked a discussion about wealth, and an opportunity for Jesus to teach his disciples about the priorities and values of this new kingdom.

The Psalms reading for today is the 24th Psalm, Psalms 24:1-10. This Psalm comes in two parts, a verse and a chorus, if you will. The verse shows us the power of God who created everything and then asks who can rightfully stand in His presence. The answer is a succinct description of the life God is calling us to, a life lived with a pure heart, clean hands (hands not dirtied with sinful acts), a soul that does not follow after idols (unGodly priorities), and that does not swear falsely. This person will find blessing from God.

The chorus is a triumphant refrain inviting God's glorious presence to enter in.

The reading in Proverbs today, Proverbs 6:1-5, is a single teaching on work and indebtedness. It starts saying, "if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for another..." This ancient language could just pass us by as irrelevant, but once you see what this means, you'll find this to be a surprisingly practical bit of direction. This phrase is referring to co-signing a loan for another person, and to a lesser extent, entering into any agreement of indebtedness. (Sound relevant yet?) The rest of the verses go on to tell us how God sees that process. First, it calls this a trap. And then it counsels us to rush to get ourselves out of this situation. Even if it attacks our pride, it tells us to do what is necessary to get out of that arrangement. Run from it (and from most all debt) like a gazelle from the hunter!

2007 Cohort Comments