Lamentations 1-2:19
Happy days are here again….not. This is Jeremiah's lament over Jerusalem after it was destroyed. He refers to what he saw before and during the siege by the Babylonians. I'm not sure how "artsy" Jeremiah and the Spirit wanted to be, but of the five chapters, chapter 3, right in the middle, is a very personal pouring out of Jeremiah's heart. Surprisingly (or not), out of the crying out of chapter 3, we have gotten many good songs.
Lam. 1
Vs. 1-10 This verse sets the tone for this chapter. I think this part of the lament is for the city. Notice the references to Zion and Jerusalem and the city is referred to with feminine pronouns.
Vs. 11-22 Jeremiah and the Spirit personalize the crying out of Jerusalem in the first person. Notice the repetition of I, my, and me.
Lam. 2:1-19
Vs. 1-10 Now notice all of what God did. It wasn't the Babylonians, it was God. If you circle "He" and "His," you might run out of ink.
Vs. 11-19 Now Jeremiah is writing about his own heartache during this destruction. How many different things can you find in these verses that caused Jeremiah sorrow and anguish? There are at least five.
Philemon
This letter was written by Paul in prison during the time he wrote Ephesians and Colossians. Philemon was, apparently, a well-to-do Christian in Colossae who had a church in his house and who had lots of slaves. One of those slaves apparently ran off with some stuff and tried to hide out in Rome. Rome was about 1000 miles from Colosse as the bird flies and for a slave like Onesimus, probably at least 1500 miles by foot. And then Rome was a city of thousands. What a place to hide. But wouldn't you know it, someone in Rome (maybe Tychicus or Timothy or Luke) recognized him and brought him to Paul. Talk about bad luck. Then wouldn't you know it, it got worse. Paul led him to Christ. Oh, brother. Now, although Onesimus did wrong and fled, in Christ, he had to go back and fess up. Also, although Philemon had the right to punish this slave and even have him put to death, Onesimus was now a brother in Christ. And if that wasn't complicated enough, when Philemon looked at Onesimus, he noticed that there was a note pinned to his shirt from Paul.
V. 6 Notice that Paul says that by sharing his faith, Philemon grows into the fullness of knowing Christ. I really think this is how it is meant to be. If we are not involved in the harvest, we can't grow in really knowing the Savior.
V. 7 Philemon had a ministry to workers in the harvest, strengthening and helping them. It was an evident love for Christ and His people.
Vs. 8-14 Introducing another of Christ's people to love: Onesimus.
Vs. 15-16 Paul adds a little eternal perspective and some sovereignty of God into the equation.
Vs. 17-20 I don't think Paul is being manipulative here, but rather fatherly. It seems that Paul also led Philemon to Christ. It is important for parents to see their children do what is right. Sadly, stuff doesn't always go right in the home or in the church. Paul is guiding him.
Vs. 21-22 This sounds a little like Philippians where Paul had a feeling he would be released soon.
Man, you just finished another book of the Bible!
It is kind of comical to think of Onesimus trying to escape from Philemon and slavery and having all that bad luck. It is hard to escape from the long arm of the Lord. The words are below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n1IxAN882Y&feature=related
Wayne Watson
A million dark alleys you can hide in
Dig a tunnel to the center of the earth
Convinced you've got nobody to confide in
Got you questioning the sum of what you're worth
People label you the black sheep of the family
Come collect upon your prodigal reward
You can never outrun
Or go beyond the reaches
Of the long arm of the Lord
I've been ashamed--I've been humbled and forgiven
I've been chastened by my Father's loving hand
But still, at times, I go on with my evil
It seems to constitute the nature of a man
But forgiveness is as close as my confession
And my sin amputated by His sword
Cause I can never outrun
Or go beyond the reaches
Of the long arm of the Lord
If He gave to me all that I deserve
This could be my final breath
But with compassion in His eyes
He's drawing me home
Into His arms--Into His tender arms of rest
There are pagans at the corners of creation
Making light of the salvation that we know
And with a small, narrow mind I give them over
To the passion of the Godless seed they sow
But, in truth, they have just as much potential
To be Godly and perfected by the Word
Cause no one in this world
can slip beyond the reaches
Of the long arm of the Lord
Psalm 101
V.1 What an interesting combination, steadfast love and justice. Maybe David is saying that because of his confidence in God's steadfast love, he can be firm with those who are sinful and perverse. It might get him in trouble to be just, but his hope is in God and he knows that the steadfast love of the Lord will pull him through all the anger of men associated with this stand he is taking.
V. 8 Notice that David's desire is to keep evil out of the city of the Lord.
Reading David's desires here, but knowing David's life, brings sad thoughts. Knowing what happened in the book of Jeremiah brings sad thoughts too.
Proverbs 26:20
Think of this proverb in terms of what you just read in Psalm 101. Interesting connections.
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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