October 30, Reading Notes

Lamentations 2:20-3:66

Lam. 2:20-22

Even though God had warned the people that this is what would happen if they rejected Him, and even though He did everything He could to try to help them, it was still hard for Jeremiah to watch it all take place.

Lam. 3

Vs. 1-20 This is Jeremiah's "a ministry in review." No one would envy him.

Vs. 18-20 This seems to be as deep as you can go.

Vs. 21-25 This seems to be as high as you can go. And, you realize that Jeremiah could only say this with such reality and conviction, because God had shown him this through all of what he lived through in verses 1-20.

Vs. 26-39 These seem like proverbs Jeremiah has learned in all of his long work with the Lord and with the people.

Vs. 40-45 Is this a call to the people to repent?

Vs. 46-66 Jeremiah will continue to intercede for his people and continue to live before the Lord. When I read this I think of the life of Daniel, who lived with this same resolve and intensity before the Lord, praying for his people.

Hebrews 1

The letter to the Hebrews was probably written after the events in the book of Acts (62 AD) and before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem (70 AD). No one knows what church this might have been. Though it could have been a letter that circulated to a lot of cities and churches, it seems to be addressed to a particular group in a particular place. The main issue in the book is one we've seen come up in a few of Paul's letter, that is, the temptation to bring more Jewish law into the practice of following Christ. It seems that these people were being pressured by the local community to slip back into the observance of the law.

The letter has a "sermonic" sense to it. Although the argument is very logical, there is a feel to what is said as if a formal, public exposition is being made.

No one knows who wrote Hebrews. Paul would be a good guess because of the very logical writing and the very deep knowledge of the Scripture. Of all the NT writers, Paul is the only one we see with this bent. People say that some of the style and word usage is different than Paul's, but if this was a public sermon, that might account for the differences. The other best guess is Barnabas. Barnabas was a Levite and it would explain the vast knowledge of the OT. Other guesses range from Timothy to Apollos.

From beginning to end, remember that this group had once been very alive and willing to suffer for Christ. Now, after these years, the rising of persecution has them reeling and wondering if maybe a little "law" would really hurt, especially if it made the persecution go away.

Heb. 1:1-14

Vs. 1-2 As you read this you sense that this is different. And you notice that a comparison is being made. Also, it says we are in the last days.

Vs. 3-14 So, as you read this you already know that Jesus is "better" than everything else, but what do you think might be some of the underlying problems that are being addressed?

If anyone thought Jesus was just an angel made by God into a god, this section speaks against that. In this section you see Jesus as fully God and fully man, born in the flesh, but eternal.

Every day as I read the gospels, I'm always humbled by the very real challenge everyone had looking at that "unbeautiful" and unattractive Jewish man, watching Him work a wonder, hearing Him say God was His Father. How could that little Jewish guy be the one of whom it is said, "all things were made through Him and without Him was nothing made that was made?" Only by the grace and Spirit of God can we be privileged to understand this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-zJHgaoVa4&feature=related

Psalm 102

Vs. 1-11 It looks to me like Jeremiah wrote a psalm. No, actually it looks like this was written after the people returned to Jerusalem after the exile. They were low and despised then too.

Vs. 12-17 Notice the focus on rebuilding Zion.

Vs. 18-22 This is being written for the next generation so they will praise God. Sounds like they are interested in disciple making too.

Vs. 23-28 This is their hope. What if I told you I can prove from this section that that hope is in the redemptive plan of God and in the work of Jesus? How? Look at verses 25-27. Now look at Hebrews 1:10-12. Who are those verses in Hebrews talking about? Kind of interesting, huh?

Proverbs 26:21-22

I have been verse 21 all day today.

Verse 22 is bad too, but we've all tasted those delicious morsels.

Obviously, we are being told to avoid both states of heart.

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.