Day 42 Bible Readings – Exodus 10: 21-23 (ESV)

Exodus 9 & 10, Matthew 26: 69-75, Matthew 27: 1-10, Psalm 26

Exodus 10: 21-23 (ESV)

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness to be felt.” So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the people of Israel had light where they lived.”

In verses 21 through 23 from Exodus 10, God tells Moses to bring a plague of darkness over the land of Egypt. The ninth plague of darkness lasted 3 days, which is similar to the amount of time that Jesus lay dead in the tomb before his resurrection. According to several Bible commentaries, the Egyptians tried to light their candles and lamps but they wouldn’t work. Since the Egyptians believed in the sun God Ra, they saw God’s display of power as going against their God. It must have been such a strange thing to witness for the Egyptian people, since the people of Israel had light where they lived. Many Bible commentaries also talked about how this ninth plague of darkness seemed supernatural and could be felt by the Egyptians. It makes me wonder if there was a total eclipse of the Sun for three days, and the Egyptians unlike the people of Israel were not able to get any artificial light. It must have been such an awesome display of God’s power, and the Pharaoh was swayed to let the people of Israel but with conditions. So God would have to level against one more plague of the ultimate darkness – death.

Day 41 Bible Readings – Exodus 7: 3-5 (ESV)

Exodus 6: 14-30, Exodus 7 & 8, Matthew 26: 47-68, Psalm 25: 16-22

Exodus 7: 3-5 (ESV)

“But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.”

In verses 3 through 5 from Exodus 7, God tells Moses and Aaron that he will harden Pharaoh’s heart. He knew that the Pharaoh would not agree easily to letting the children of Israel go, so I’ve always wondered why he decided to harden Pharaoh’s heart. But after reading several Bible commentaries, I now know that God decided that he wanted to demonstrate his power not only to Pharaoh, but to all of the people of Egypt. I think God also wanted the people of Egypt to never forget his power, so they wouldn’t come later and attack the people of Israel. When the Pharaoh finally let the children of Israel leave, the Egyptian people were so happy to let the people go because of all the plagues that they gave them all the silver, gold, jewelry, and clothing that the Hebrews asked for when they left. God always has a plan, and while it sometimes doesn’t make sense to our human mind, God’s plans always work out for the best.

Day 40 Bible Readings – Matthew 26: 33-35 (ESV)

Exodus 4-5, Exodus 6: 1-13, Matthew 26: 30-46, Psalm 25: 8-15

Matthew 26: 33-35 (ESV)

“Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.”

In verses 33 through 35, we read about Peter telling Christ he would never fall away from. Jesus told Peter he would and deny him three times. Peter denied it and the disciples did the same. I love how Jesus knew what would happen to him and what his disciples would do, but he still loved them. I read one Bible commentary where the author said that Jesus was trying to reassure his disciples that he was in command of the whole situation. Jesus also knew his disciples better than they knew themselves, and even though he knew they would desert them he still loved them and knew that their future was to grow his church.

I sometimes wonder if I would try to change my future if I knew it, even though the future was going to help me grow to be a better person. I can see the disciples denying everything that Jesus told them they would do because they couldn’t conceive at the time that they would betray Jesus like that. I think they also wondered if their betrayal would make Jesus love them less. But if God knows everything that is going to happen in our life, we need to trust that everything we go through will work to fulfill God’s plan. We might not see it at the time, but God does and if we just trust in him then we would be more at peace with whatever happens in our life.

Day 39 Bible Readings for February 9 – Exodus 3: 11-12 (ESV)

Exodus 1-3, Matthew 26: 1-30, Psalm 25: 1-7

Exodus 3: 11-12 (ESV)

“But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

In verses 11 and 12 from Exodus 3, we read what Moses answered when God told him of his mission. I can see how this scene with Moses is repeated with almost everyone who God calls to be on mission for him. When I discerned what I think is God’s plan for my life, I had the same reaction. There was nothing in my life that that prepared me for what I think is God’s plan for my life. I had the same, still have the same lack of self-confidence in my own abilities to fulfill God’s mission.

So I love how God responded to Moses. God told Moses, “I will be with you”, which means Moses had nothing to fear. Even if Moses thought he didn’t have the abilities to fulfill God’s plan, God will be able to supernaturally help him. Moses had such faith and confidence in God, that he took God up on his offer and did as he asked. We should all have the faith of Moses to go where God commands us to and do what he wants us to fulfill his plan on earth.