Today reflects a lot of dark times in the plan of redemption. In the Psalms we get Moses' reflections of 40 years leading a dying generation though the wilderness. In Jeremiah, Jerusalem is destroyed and the last of Israel is taken into captivity. In 2 Timothy, we find Paul in prison in Rome awaiting death and I think Timothy is shaking in his sandals. It might be a good idea to get a bowl of something sweet to eat (Candy corn? Pumpkin pie?) as you read through these portions.
Jeremiah 39-41
Jer. 39
Vs. 1-14 These are a summary of the events. This happened just as God said it would.
V. 11 Notice that Nebuchadnezzar knew quite a bit about Jeremiah. There could have been a lot of sources for this information, but in terms of his desire to be kind to Jeremiah, you only have to look at the book of Daniel. Daniel had now been Neb's chief advisor for about 17 years and Nebuchadnezzar had not only worshipped God twice, but he had made it a law in his empire that Jews had complete religious liberty to worship Yahweh alone.
Vs. 15-18 This is a flashback just before the Babylonians broke into the city. God tells Ebed-melech that he will be spared from the destruction of Jerusalem. Anyone who followed the Lord was spared. That says something about God and about the people.
Jer. 40
Vs. 1-6 We will not read this word of the Lord until Jer. 42:9. All of this is historical narrative of what happened after the Babylonians left and why the leaders and people came to Jeremiah to inquire of God. God's judgment on the ungodly wasn't finished and what you see in chapter 42 will shock you.
Apparently Jeremiah was rounded up for deportation to go into exile. When Nebuchadnezzar told Nebuzaradan to free Jeremiah, Nebuzaradan had to seek for Jeremiah. His words to Jeremiah show you what the leaders of Babylon understood about what God was allowing to happen to Jerusalem. I believe this is the influence of Daniel. Just so you understand the impact of Daniel, we'll see that he was the godliest man on earth. The presence of such a person on earth has only happened a few times in the history of this planet. Through Daniel God protected His people in the Babylonian and Persian empires, both preserving them and sending them back to Israel. That Nebuzaradan knew all of this, probably means that Daniel had explained everything to Nebuchadnezzar and the other leaders. Daniel would have known Jeremiah as a boy before he was taken into captivity and, as a prophet, they would have been connected. It never says that Daniel accompanied Nebuchadnezzar on his journeys, but Daniel was his top/main/chief personal advisor, so it is possible that Daniel was there when Zedekiah had his eyes put out. It could also mean that Daniel actually met Jeremiah.
Vs. 7-16 Some people suggest that it would have taken over a year to set up a government, but Gedaliah was an experienced government leader who came from godly stock. He would have known how to organize things. In a way, this was no different than Nebuchadnezzar installing a new king, except that he destroyed the city, the temple, took all of the bronze and gold, and most of the people. What was left behind would have been very easy to organize and run.
Notice verse 14.
Jer. 41
V. 2 Ishmael had been an Israelite captain in the army. Now he was trying to take over. The nations around Israel, including Egypt and the Ammonites, had made a treaty to fight together against Babylon. The reason Gedaliah had to die was that he wanted to obey God (whether he was godly or not) and serve Nebuchadnezzar. This is why he was killed. It is like the governments the US has set up in Afghanistan and Iraq. Their leaders become targets for assassination.
V. 11 Unfortunately for Ishmael, Johanan liked Gedaliah and didn't like Ishmael.
Vs. 17-18 Now we have the stage set for the word of the Lord mentioned in Jer. 40:1.
2 Timothy 1
Paul is in jail in Rome. Nero has gone officially nuts. Paul isn't under that nice house arrest from before, but he is sitting in a dark, dank, dungeon facing death.
V. 1 If you look at a couple of Paul's normal greetings in Ephesians and Philippians, you'll see that the first verses of 1 Tim and 2 Tim are different. I think that Paul is really emphasizing here that the reason we risk our lives in this dark world is because of the promise of life in Christ Jesus.
Vs. 3-8 Several sermons could be preached on this. This is very tender and Paul is trying to strengthen and rouse Timothy. I think Timothy is fearful because of the storm of persecution that has suddenly broken upon the church by Nero.
Vs. 8-12 Notice that this begins and ends with not being ashamed. Notice the tight logic and connection of these words and how they build an eternal perspective in the gospel.
Vs. 13-14 Very personal words for Timothy to keep on going and working in the harvest.
"The faith and love that are in Christ Jesus" is what Paul received as a spiritual enablement in 1 Tim. 1:14. This phrase is a good one to ponder.
V. 15 The storm that hit Paul scattered the flock. Apparently it was a surprise and a blow to Paul that these two guys deserted him. Remember, Paul had some physical ailment and probably needed more than one person to attend him. We know from the end of this letter that Luke was the only one who stayed with Paul. This could happen to anyone, but really, if we are trained in Christ, shouldn't we be willing to die for Him in the harvest? What was it that Jesus said about taking up our cross daily? The cross meant death.
Vs. 16-18 Here is the funny thing about these verses: did Onesiphorus survive? I'm not sure. I think he might have. But, imagine if the government was looking for Christians to lock up and you went to visit the Apostle Paul in jail? That would be nuts, right? But he was nuts for Jesus.
Psalms 90-91
Wow, this is a mega reading. Psalm 90 is by Moses, but Psalm 91 is anonymous. Reading them together you wonder if Moses wrote Psalm 91 also. Psalm 90 could be Moses' reflection on 40 years in the wilderness leading the people, and Psalm 91 could be Moses' reflection on 120 years being led by God on earth.
Remember as you read these that they were both songs of worship, not just theological declarations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFk68nFvPzM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6joOPChOYo&feature=related
Proverbs 26:1-2
Amen.
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.
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