October 6, Reading Notes

Jeremiah 6:15-8:7

If you notice the way the verses are laid out in chapters 1-6, most of it appears to have been prophesy given in a declarative or prosaic fashion. Looking at 6:27-30, you have a sense that God's commissioning of Jeremiah is complete. In those verses, God is stating for Jeremiah one of his purposes among the people. It seems then that all of chapters 1-6 were during the time of Josiah, probably before Josiah's revival. Chapter 7 will be the first sermon that Jeremiah preaches, and we'll see, without needing anyone to tell us when this happened, it was definitely after Josiah's death. The sermon is reporting, in real time, what the people were actively involved in.

I'm saying this all just to help you understand a little how to look for clues that give you some order of events and where there are changes. Remember too, to keep underlining phrases that recur or connections between words if they stand out to you. An easy phase to begin with is "thus says the Lord."

Jer. 6:15-30

Vs. 16-17 As a result of the lack of shame in verse 15, God tries to reason with them. Do you notice the dialog here?

Vs. 18-20 This is why God is bringing the punishment on them.

Vs. 21-26 There are two separate punishments here, each introduced with "thus says the Lord." How would you describe these?

Vs. 27-30 This is how God will use Jeremiah in the lives of these people in the history of this nation.

Jer. 7

You have to get to verses 16-20 to see what was actually happening in Jerusalem. This has to have happened during the reign of Jehoiakim, meaning it was after Josiah's death. That would be 15-18 years after God's appointment of Jeremiah. Now the fun begins.

Vs. 1-4 Notice the location where Jeremiah gives this sermon. You get the point right?

Vs. 5-7 This is what God really wanted.

Vs. 8-11 Notice that the "do not trust" in verse 4 is picked up again in verse 8. This is a really strong charge against the people. Christians wouldn't do this, right? Remember what Paul said to the believers in 1 Cor. 10? They became involved in idolatry too.

V. 11 I believe this is part of what Jesus quotes the second time He cleanses the temple in Matt. 21:13. Jesus knew the OT.

Vs. 12-15 God shows them that He's done it before.

Vs. 16-20 This is really interesting. Jeremiah was always weeping for the people. God says not to intercede for them. Later, after Jeremiah gets roughed up, he will be the one to tell God not to listen to the people.

Vs. 21-26 I'll bet when Paul read these words after he had found Christ, verse 23 burned right though his heart. This is all God ever really wanted.

Vs. 27-28 God is preparing Jeremiah for how the people will respond to his first sermon.

Vs. 29-34 This section begins with a call to mourn. Look at what the people had done. They themselves had desecrated the temple. They had begun again to offer their children in sacrifice. Notice back in 7:9 there is a mention of Baal. Where you had Baal worship, you had people sacrificing their babies. You had to do something with those unwanted children that came through Baal worship. That generation was beyond repair.

Jer. 8:1-7

Vs. 1-3 This is what God says to Jeremiah as fact. Notice in verse two, this will only be done to those who have served these things.

Vs. 4-7 Notice the difference here. This is the prophetic word that God has given Jeremiah to declare.

When I read verse seven, I thought of Paul's charge to Timothy in 2 Timothy to preach the Word. People need to constantly hear what God says. It isn't our job to make people believe in the harvest, but we need to herald. Those who hear the words of God will step forward.

Colossians 2:8-23

Vs. 8-15 The key to this section is the threat in verse eight, the declaration in verse nine and the words "in Him." Paul didn't need to write a book. Jesus Himself was the answer.

Vs. 16-19 Notice the phrase "let no one." This represents the teaching of these Jewish teachers. Verse 19 is what the Colossians needed to focus on.

Vs. 20-23 This self-inflicted suffering seemed religious and good. Paul had real suffering that came from working in the harvest. Paul's scars came from working alongside Jesus, not trying to suffer for Jesus. Working in the harvest, we work in the freedom of Christ. If He wants us to suffer or experience hard times, He'll provide them, not us.

V. 21 This verse was used in the prohibition of the early 1900's in the States, quoted out of context, saying these words were God's opinion about drinking.

Psalm 78:1-31

Like before, we will be in Psalm 78 for three days. This will be a good review of some events we read about at the beginning of the year.

Vs. 1-4 I mentioned before that Matthew and the Spirit quote verse one of this introduction as the reason why Jesus told parables, thus fulfilling this verse. Go figure. What that means for us is that in the rest of Psalm 78, there is a parable for us to understand. What fun! What stands out to you and what do you think the "hidden" point of this recounting of history is?

As I was highlighting the high points of this reading, what stood out to me were verses 7, 11, 19 and 21-22. I don't think God wants a lot from us. I don't want to fall into acting like they did.

In Jeremiah today we read how God allowed Shiloh to be destroyed, the place where the tabernacle had been. Read Psalm 78:60.

Proverbs 24:26

This is an interesting analogy and I think He means a kiss that brings satisfaction, peace and delight, not some polite little peck.

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 comments and feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.