Exodus 1 Psalm 66:16-20 Proverbs 21:7 22:8 Matthew

Exodus 1:
This chapter describes the increasing oppression of the Israelites in Egypt following the death of Joseph and the rise of a new Pharaoh who did not know of Joseph's contributions. Fearing the Israelites' growing numbers, the Pharaoh imposes harsh labor on them and commands the Hebrew midwives to kill all newborn Hebrew boys. However, the midwives fear God and do not follow the Pharaoh’s orders, leading to the continued growth of the Israelite population.
Psalm 66:16-20:
This portion of Psalm 66 features the psalmist inviting others to hear what God has done for him. He praises God for listening to his prayers and not ignoring his requests for mercy. The psalmist emphasizes that if he had cherished sin in his heart, the Lord would not have listened, but indeed God did listen and attended to the voice of his prayer, underscoring God's faithfulness and responsiveness to those who obey Him.
Proverbs 21:7:
This proverb states that the violence of the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to act justly. It reflects the theme that wickedness and violence ultimately lead to self-destruction, emphasizing the moral order that wrongdoing leads to negative consequences.
Proverbs 22:8:
This proverb highlights that those who sow injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of their fury will fail. It teaches that unethical behavior and mistreatment of others lead to ruin, reinforcing the biblical principle of reaping what one sows, particularly regarding injustice and oppression.
Matthew 24:15-31:
In this passage, Jesus describes the signs of the end times and His second coming. He mentions the "abomination of desolation" (a desecrating idol or power standing in the holy place), a reference from the book of Daniel, as a sign of impending disaster. Jesus warns of great tribulation, advising those in Judea to flee to the mountains. He cautions against false prophets and false messiahs who will perform great signs and wonders. The passage concludes with a description of the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory, gathering His elect from the ends of the earth.
Mark 13:14-27:
Similar to Matthew's account, this passage in Mark also describes the "abomination of desolation" and the tribulations associated with the end times. Jesus advises his followers to flee when they see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not to be. He describes a time of great distress, unequaled in history, and warns of false prophets and signs. The passage ends with the coming of the Son of Man in clouds with great power and glory, who will send angels to gather His elect from all over the world.