Jeremiah 48-49:22
This section today records God's punishment of three neighboring nations who were also "relatives" of Israel. Moab and Ammon were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew. Edom came from Esau, the son of Isaac and brother of Jacob.
All of these nations played a role in the corruption and demise of Israel, but Edom's actions during the time of the destruction of Jerusalem put them into a special category.
Jer. 48
This is the judgment on Moab. I have no idea why so much space is given to them other than they may have had the largest, ungodly influence on Israel. Their influence goes back to the wilderness and Baal Peor and Balaam. Solomon was even influenced by his wives from Moab and Ammon.
1 Kings 11:7 Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem. 8 And so he did for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.
V. 42 Moab was destroyed as a nation.
V. 47 Yet at the end of the age, in the Millennial Kingdom, there will be blessing for Moab. Go figure.
Jer. 49
Vs. 1-6 This is the judgment on Ammon.
V. 3 Milcom was another name for Molech or Chemosh (the sacrifice of babies).
V. 6 Yet even for Ammon, at the end of the age, in the Millennial Kingdom, there will be blessing.
Vs. 7-22 The judgment against Edom.
Vs. 9-10 This hits at some of Edom's sin. During the destruction of Jerusalem and destruction of the surrounding cities, the Edomites were like the grape pickers and thieves, Babylon's little helpers. The Edomites picked everything bare.
You'll notice that there is no mention of restoration for Edom. We'll read more about Edom in the book of Obediah, but Malachi 1:4 says it all.
Malachi 1:4 If Edom says, "We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins," the LORD of hosts says, "They may build, but I will tear down, till they are called the wicked country, the people with whom the LORD is angry forever."
No millennial blessing here.
2 Timothy 4
Vs. 1-2 The day I memorized this, it was like being given a privilege by the Lord. Next to the Great Commission and Acts 1:8, I think, this is the greatest charge to us in the NT.
It's hard to get back to the old, strong roots of conviction but this has to be alive in our hearts in each generation until Jesus returns. It is the Word, and nothing but the Word, that the Spirit uses to give light and life.
Vs. 3-4 Again, that sense of urgency.
V. 5 For Timothy. Notice the call to suffer and to reach out. Somehow I think those go together.
Vs. 6-8 Paul was confident that his time was short.
Vs. 9-10 Timothy needed to get to Paul ASAP. Demas may have been the only person to desert Paul, but it seems fishy to me that Titus and Crescens were mentioned in the same breath.
It could very well be that when the great panic struck the group, as the Romans did what they did and grabbed Paul, that in sheer fear, the group scattered. Demas, apparently, was motivated by something more than fear. And too, it may be that Titus and Crescens were already gone and on assignment when the hammer fell.
Vs. 11-13 Luke was still there. Paul needed help and I think it may have been more than a one man job.
Mark is the guy who deserted Paul early in the book of Acts, but now Mark had written the Gospel of Mark. He was a cousin of Barnabas.
If Timothy was working in Ephesus, one of the things on his mind would have been leaving the work unattended to go to Rome. Therefore, I think, Paul tells Tim that he send word to Tychicus, to take over for Tim.
V. 13 Paul needed the cloak for the dark, dank, dungeon. Interesting that Paul wanted the Bible too. They didn't have "compact" versions back then.
Vs. 14-15 We don't know who this Alexander was, but God did. Timothy was ordered by the Spirit to avoid him.
Vs. 16-18 Paul appeared before Nero and the other judges. In 64 AD Nero burned Rome and began his persecution of the Christians, whom he made the scapegoats for his madness. This was now 67 AD, and though Paul had managed to serve "under the radar," God brought him front and center now to bear witness before the Gentiles. Look at what Jesus told the twelve when He sent them out:
Matthew 10:17 Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Vs. 20-21 These are very interesting short bursts.
I find it interesting that God didn't allow Trophimus to be healed.
For a second time, Paul asks Timothy to come quickly.
Though we will read more of what Paul wrote, these are Paul's last recorded words on earth, in the Harvest.
Since we're concluding 2 Timothy, this is a good song to hear again. It's a good call to following as disciples in the harvest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mj4kvMFAOY
Psalms 95-96
You'll enjoy this video today. The song is beautiful and true to the text. If this is what Psalm 95 sounded like, sung in worship in Israel, then the singers were definitely blessing and opening the hearts of the people.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7IryEV4F2c
Proverbs 26:9-12
This all looked pretty good and I was smiling and agreeing with it all, until I ran into verse 12 and hurt myself.
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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