Day 41

Exodus 30:11–31:18; Matthew 26:47-68; Psalm 32:1-11; Proverbs 8:27-32

FROM OUR READING in Exodus today, we learned God’s way of funding the Tabernacle, plans for the Tabernacle’s washbasin, and the recipes for the anointing oil and incense to be used in worship. We also learned of the craftsmen Bezalel and Oholiab, who were appointed to craft the items God had instructed to be made. Finally, God instituted the solemn observation of the Sabbath day and explained all that it represented.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Judas betrayed Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, and Jesus was found guilty of blasphemy and sentenced to death. But the Jewish leaders couldn’t carry out the sentence. They would need to coerce the Roman authorities to do that bit of dirty work.

In Proverbs today, we heard a voice more ancient than all of humanity —the voice of Wisdom —as she defended herself and beckoned us to hear:

I was there when he [God] established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans. I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established springs deep in the earth. I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth’s foundations, I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence. And how happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family! And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful.

We won’t get far in life without wisdom and common sense, and we see that both are gifts of God —and that God Himself uses them. Yet so often, we find ourselves doing anything but listening. Wisdom is available and calling to us from everywhere (Proverbs 1:20-21), but often we’re either not paying attention or simply ignoring her in favor of our own ill-considered choices. However, if Wisdom is a companion of God and He has offered this companion to us, it is worth our time to consider the ways in which we continue to ignore her. Because we ignore her at our own peril. She will do nothing but guide us in the right way and lead us to know God more deeply. But we must slow down enough to consider what she is saying.

PRAYER:

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!