Jeremiah 44:24-47:7
Jer. 44:24-30
V. 25 The people declared their own sin, just that they didn't think it was sin. Too bad God isn't for religious tolerance. Maybe He needs sensitivity training. Oh wait, He is the creator and the ONLY GOD. This is why people today don't come to Christ. It is a relationship with very personal boundaries, like listening to Him and knowing Him. If we create our own God, we control the boundaries.
I read this earlier: John 3:18 He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.
This is what was functioning in Jeremiah's day too. Creation is an anchor for our hearts knowing that there is one creator who is always the same and always present. He is present even when we don't understand. We saw this in Job.
Jer. 45
Notice that this goes back to when Baruch began to work for Jeremiah. God told Baruch back then how things would fall out.
Notice that God declares He is the Lord of Hosts, the Lord of Armies. We're reading "Lord of Hosts" more and more, but probably getting too used to it. God was telling Baruch that He could protect him. It reminds me of when Elisha was surrounded by the army of Syria; and his servant ran in, terrified, telling him they were in danger. Elisha prayed for God to open the servant's eyes, and when they were opened, the servant saw the hills around the Syrians full of the armies of God. It was the Syrians who were surrounded. God was protecting Elisha.
The reason this chapter is given here is that although Jeremiah and Baruch were in a very bad place, in Egypt and a war was coming, and the Babylonians would find them again, God would save them. I think that both Jeremiah and Baruch died of old age back in Israel.
Jer. 46
V. 1 This introduces a section of God's pronouncements against the surrounding nations.
Vs. 2-12 This part of the prophesy was given at the time of Egypt's first defeat at the hands of the Babylonians.
Vs. 13-26 This is present day with Jeremiah in Egypt and Egypt about to be defeated by Nebuchadnezzar.
Vs. 27-28 This is much like a Father confirming his love toward a child before handing out the punishment.
Jer. 47
It is interesting to see that God used the Egyptians to punish these enemies of His people. Eventually Nebuchadnezzar would take care of Tyre and Sidon. They would never be the centers of wealth and trade they had once been.
Poor Jeremiah. His life had been used by God to bring messages to people, most of whom chose judgment. We will still hear lots of crying out by Jeremiah in the book of Lamentations. Yet even in this misery, Jeremiah learned what every disciple learns, to praise God in the storm.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbUV28sPtac&feature=related
2 Timothy 2:22-3:17
Remember the urgency in Paul's writing and that Timothy has apparently been shaken. Paul is trying to refocus Timothy and give him courage under fire.
2Tim 2: 22-26
With everything that Paul has already said about discussions about words and foolish talk, Paul will say it again. It took me a while to catch on to what Timothy's "youthful" passion was, but it is clear in this context. Timothy was predisposed to arguing and jumping into controversies.
Paul's words to him in verse 24 are very pointed.
Vs. 25-26 Notice that this context is discussions within the church. People within the church get captured by Satan. Only a cool head could patiently teach and nurture them to safety, if that was even possible.
2Tim. 3
Vs. 1-5 Now this definitely seems like a list of those bad people outside the church who smoke and drink and swear. But just for your consideration, remember back in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Paul mentioned that before the "Day of the Lord" there would be a rebellion. That word means, "a falling away," or apostasy. In 2 Tim. 4, Paul will talk about itchy-eared Christians accumulating teachers for themselves. I think this list is also talking about the church and those who profess belonging to Christ.
Vs. 6-9 This is an example of the list Paul just gave, and the problem is within the church.
Vs. 10-13 This is not what you would want to use for an advertisement for discipleship, but that is what it is. Only a disciple would be strengthened by these words. Notice that verse 12 is a promise for every disciple.
Paul had been a model for Timothy in all of these things, but what kind of model is it when your mentor is about to die in prison. But wait, our Lord died on a cross and told us up front that if we wanted to follow Him, we needed to deny ourselves, take up our death (cross) daily and follow Him. Paul was a great model and Timothy needed to take up the cross.
Vs. 14-15 Timothy's heritage in the gospel.
Vs. 16-17 Timothy's strength in the work of the gospel. What do people think of these verses when they themselves are so infrequent in the Word? If the Word was a tool, how skilled are we with that tool? If it was a video game, would we have it mastered? And the reality of it all, is that we can't grow in our relationship to God without being in it.
For me this is very pointed. Paul is bringing everything down to one focus: to the Word of God and a life lived by that Word.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9Zh1FUbWjw&feature=related
Psalm 94
Again it is no coincidence that we have a psalm like this as we're reading about the destruction of Jerusalem. We understand God better than ever, both in His judgment of His people and His mercy to His people. To think, God has endured all of this to see us (and mankind) come to Christ and know what "steadfast love" really means.
Proverbs 26:6-8
I think God is saying we should really try not to be fools. The core of being a fool is not to "do" God's word.
Verse 7 is funny, but not very politically correct, but who has the guts to tell God that.
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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