Daily Bible Reading & Devotion: Monday, October 26, 2026

Year in the Bible Daily Reading:

Exodus 32-34; Philippians 3  Listen to Today's Reading

Exodus 34:5-9

Then the Lord descended in the form of a pillar of cloud and stood there with him, and passed in front of him and announced the meaning of his name. “I am Jehovah, the merciful and gracious God,” he said, “slow to anger and rich in steadfast love and truth. I, Jehovah, show this steadfast love to many thousands by forgiving their sins; or else I refuse to clear the guilty, and require that a father’s sins be punished in the sons and grandsons, and even later generations.” Moses fell down before the Lord and worshiped. And he said, “If it is true that I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, then please go with us to the Promised Land; yes, it is an unruly, stubborn people, but pardon our iniquity and our sins, and accept us as your own. Exodus 34:5-9 (TLB)

Moses and the people of Israel were on their journey out of slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. It was a time on their journey that they were tired – tired of being on the move, tired of eating manna, just plain tired. They’re beginning to sound and act rather like impatient children on a long car trip – “are we there yet?”

This version of the Bible uses the term “unruly, stubborn” to describe the Israelites while other versions use the word “stiff-necked”. They have been ranting and raving against God and complaining that they were better off in Egypt. They had also strayed away from the God who rescued them and had begun to worship a golden calf.

Moses is on the mountain when God appears in a cloud with the announcement that He was Jehovah and was merciful and gracious but also will not “clear the guilty”. Moses begs the Lord to continue with them to the Promised Land.

Questions for Reflection:

• Have you been in a place or situation where you became impatient and unhappy about the path you were on? Did you complain? To whom? Did it help to go to church and remember whose you are and to whom you belong?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we know you are always there, but still we complain. Thank you for being there and listening. Thank you for the blessings we receive daily. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.