Exodus

Exodus 8:20-9:7
This passage describes the fourth and fifth plagues inflicted upon Egypt. First, God commands Moses to confront Pharaoh again, demanding the release of the Israelites. When Pharaoh refuses, God sends swarms of flies to plague the Egyptians, but the region of Goshen, where the Israelites live, remains unaffected. Pharaoh agrees to let the Israelites sacrifice to God in the wilderness if the plague is removed, but he again reneges once the flies are gone. God then instructs Moses to warn Pharaoh about a severe plague on livestock. When Pharaoh ignores the warning, all the Egyptian livestock die, but the livestock of the Israelites remain unharmed. Despite this, Pharaoh's heart remains hardened, and he refuses to let the Israelites go.
Psalm 136:16-22
This part of the psalm continues to recount God's acts of deliverance and faithfulness to Israel. It describes God's guidance of His people through the wilderness, His defeat of great kings and mighty rulers, including Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan. These victories are celebrated as acts of divine love and provision, culminating in God's giving of their land as a heritage to Israel. Each verse concludes with the refrain, "His steadfast love endures forever," emphasizing the enduring nature of God's mercy and faithfulness.
Proverbs 28:5
This proverb states, "Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely." It contrasts the moral discernment between the wicked and the righteous, highlighting that a pursuit of God leads to a deep understanding of justice, while evildoers remain ignorant of it.
Proverbs 28:12
This proverb notes, "When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves." It highlights the societal impact of leadership, suggesting that the success of righteous leaders brings celebration and visibility, while the rise of wicked leaders causes fear and concealment among the people.
John 14:15-31
In this passage, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to His disciples. He begins by instructing them to keep His commandments as a demonstration of their love for Him. He promises to ask the Father to send another Helper, the Spirit of truth, who will be with them forever. Jesus assures them that He will not leave them as orphans but will come to them. He speaks of the unity between Himself, the Father, and the disciples, emphasizing that those who love Him will be loved by the Father, and He will reveal Himself to them. Jesus also reassures them that the Holy Spirit will teach them all things and remind them of everything He has said. He grants them His peace, urging them not to be troubled or afraid. Jesus mentions that He is going to the Father and that the prince of this world (Satan) has no hold over Him, but He does as the Father has commanded so that the world may learn that He loves the Father.