October 13, Reading Notes

Jeremiah 22-23:20

Jer. 22

The kings after Josiah went like this: Josiah, Josiah's son Shallum, Josiah's son Jehoiakim, Jehoiakim's son Jehoiachin, Josiah's son Zedekiah.

This prophesy to the kings seems to be made toward the end of Jehoiakim's reign. When Josiah died, the people made his oldest son Shallum the king. Pharoah Nico took Shallum prisoner and made his brother, Jehoiakim, king. After Jehoiakim, Coniah (Jeconiah or Jehoiachin) was made king. Jehoiachin surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar and Neb made another son of Josiah, the king, Jehoiachin's uncle Zedekiah.

Anyway, Zedekiah is not in view here so the timing seems to be during Jehoiakim's reign, looking back to Shallum and looking forward to Jehoiachin.

Vs. 1-10 If this word was spoken to Jehoiakim, it definitely fell on deaf ears. We'll see Jehoiakim's true character in a few chapters.

Vs. 11-17 Rather than fearing and respecting God and taking to heart what happened to his brother Shallum, Jehoiakim lived the good life and was a rotten ruler.

Vs. 18-19 As a result, no one would be sad to see Jehoiakim die.

Vs. 20-23 This is a cry to the house of David and the entire nation. Notice the mention of the shepherds. The shepherds (leaders) will be the focus of the next chapter.

Vs. 24-30 Jehoiachin was only 18 or 19 when taken as a prisoner to Babylon. Oddly enough, 37 years after he was taken, Nebuchadnezzar's son, Evil Knievel, freed Jehoiachin, I think as proof of the blessing God spoke on those who would surrender to Nebuchadnezzar.

One interesting note here is that God says none of Jehoiachin's descendants would sit on the throne of David. Joseph, Mary's husband, was descended from David through Jehoiachin. That would have made Jesus disqualified, but Jesus was the physical son of Mary, who was descended from David through Nathan, none of whose sons became kings.

Jer. 23

Vs. 1-4 This is the promise of judgment on the past shepherds of Israel and a promise for the regathering of the people under good shepherds.

Vs. 5-8 The house of David will once again become good shepherds. In fact, the shepherd in view here is "The Good Shepherd," Jesus Himself. I think the days in view here are the Millennial Kingdom when Jesus rules over the world and the Jews are regathered to Israel.

Vs. 9-10 This cry of Jeremiah is because of the false prophets, some of whom were priests and known by Jeremiah.

Vs. 11-15 In this judgment on the prophets and priests, there is a comparison between the false prophets of Samaria and Jerusalem. The main difference is that while the prophets in Samaria spoke in the name of Baal, the prophets in Jerusalem spoke in the name of the Lord.

Vs. 16-20 God will continually show these prophets are wrong by bringing disaster on the people.

2 Thessalonians 1

This letter was probably written in Corinth after Timothy returned from Thessalonica. The two big issues that seem to be present had to do with holding up under persecution and there was some false teaching about the Lord's return.

Vs. 1-4 Their growth was evident in how they treated one another and how they stood firm in persecution and affliction. In their short time as a church, God had made them an example to other churches.

Vs. 5-6 In suffering God tempers His people, proving their "worth," that is, that they are saved, deepening them through suffering. When those who mistreat believers see that it doesn't work, they see this as an omen of their coming judgment. I think Paul saw this during that time when he persecuted the church.

Vs. 7-10 At the judgment there will be vindication and joy for those who have suffered, and there will be judgment for those who don't know God.

V. 9 Hell will be away from the presence or face of the Lord, and they will have no sense of His glory or might. Everyone alive has an internal sense of His eternal power and deity. We all enjoy God's work and presence. That will be removed.

V. 10 Jesus will be glorified IN his people who held on.

Vs. 11-12 Paul's prayer wasn't that they would be soft Christians, but that the power of Christ would be proven in them so that Christ would be shown to be the almighty Savior that He is. As disciples we know the general direction, but it is the Lord's choice to determine how our lives will bring glory to Him. If it means being crushed for Christ to bring Him glory, then we praise God in the press.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVV5lmlbgpM&feature=related

Psalm 83

To me, verses 16 & 18 are the most interesting verses. Even in calling on God to rebuke these nations, there is the thought that if God humbles them, they may seek Him. After the seeking comes the knowing, and God receives the glory.

Proverbs 25:11-14

All of these are good words and advice. Inherent in God mentioning these is His desire that we become the positive examples and don't become the negative example.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comment or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.