Day 44 Bible Readings – Matthew 27: 45 (ESV)

Exodus 13 & 14, Matthew 27: 45-66, Psalm 28

Matthew 27: 45 (ESV)

“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.”

Verse 45 from Matthew is a description of what was happening I the sky while Jesus was on the cross and dying. I’ve always found this verse so interesting. At first I thought that maybe there had been an eclipse that had happened while Jesus was dying on the cross. But as I was reading through several Bible commentaries, I found out there was not a natural eclipse of the sun. Jeus was on the cross for about 6 hours from 9 am in the morning until 3 pm in the afternoon. The darkness happened from 12 noon till about 3 pm, which is much longer than other eclipses. Bible scholars have noted that the darkness happened during a full moon, and it is said that it would be impossible for there to be a natural eclipse of the sun. I love how this darkness could be considered a miracle of sorts, and I am sure it seemed that way to the people who were watching Jesus die on the cross. It must have seemed as if the world itself was in agony when the sky darkened. If the sky getting dark wasn’t a sure sign that Jesus was the son of God, there would be more to come. But I love how the sky darkening reflected the agony that the followers of Jesus must have felt as they watched him dying on the cross.

Day 43 Bible Readings – Exodus12: 13 (ESV)

Exodus 11 & 12, Matthew 27: 11-44, Psalm 27

Exodus12: 13 (ESV)

“The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.”

Verse 13 from Exodus 12 is what God said to Moses and Aaron about the blood of the lamb that he asked the people of Israel to put on their doorposts. God said if he saw the lamb’s blood on the doorpost, the plague of the death of the firstborn will pass over the house and it occupants. When I read this verse, I was reminded of the life of Christ who came to earth to be like these lambs that were killed. Christ was crucified for our sins so the plague of death would pass over anyone who believes in him. I love how God’s plan for the life of Christ was already being hinted at in the Book of Exodus. God was seeding among this people the idea of a sacrificial lamb who could save us from death. I cannot help but think of Christ every time I come across a story in the Bible of a sacrificial lamb. The life of Jesus and how he was treated in the days leading to his crucifixion was exactly like that of a lamb chosen for sacrifice. It makes me wonder how much God is constantly hinting in my life what his plan is for my life, and all I need to do is look for the signs and the recurring themes in my life.

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.