October 8, Reading Notes

Jeremiah 10-11

Jer. 10

Vs. 1-5 God appeals to the people not to copy the other nations regarding serving idols.

Vs. 6-13 What a surprise to find this here. What a great declaration of the glory of God.

Vs. 14-16 Meanwhile, back with the idol makers.

Vs. 17-18 Time for the people to go into exile, like hobos with their bundles on their shoulders.

Vs. 19-25 This is Jeremiah lamenting for the people. Verse 21 is very sad. Leaders don't lead for themselves. If they fail, the people pay the price.

Jer. 11

Vs. 1-5 God commanded Jeremiah to exhort the people to come back to the covenant Israel made with God at Mt. Sinai. Some suggest Jeremiah began this during the revival in the days of Josiah. Until they found a copy of the OT, the leaders would not have known exactly what the covenant at Sinai was. Finding the Bible and hearing Jeremiah's preaching might explain why Josiah was so distressed when the books of Moses were read to him.

Vs. 6-8 Jeremiah may have preached this message during his entire ministry. In Josiah's day, the entire country, on the surface, served God. The revival was broad, but superficial for the majority. During Josiah's day they didn't have temples or shrines to other Gods.

Vs. 9-17 After Josiah's death, the people (led by ungodly kings) quickly went back to worshipping everything other than God.

Vs. 18-21 Anathoth was Jeremiah's home town. So where is it that a prophet has no honor? That's right. And to boot, they wanted to kill him. God not only told Jeremiah about this, but He took it personally.

I was reading this morning in John 8 where Jesus confronted the priests, scribes and Pharisees who wanted to kill Him. John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. This is the same reason why the leaders wanted to silence Jeremiah. They were following their father.

Colossians 3:18-4:18

Col. 3:18-25 This is the same as Ephesians and very brief.

V. 25 Ephesians doesn't have this warning.

Col. 4

Vs. 5-6 These are different than Ephesians and good advice on chewing the bull with others in the harvest.

Vs. 7-9 These are exactly like Ephesians except for the mention of Onesimus. If you don't know who Onesimus is, read Philemon. Onesimus is the entire focus of that letter.

Vs. 10-11 As Paul often does, he mentions fellow workers who are with him. Of interest here is the mention of Mark. This is how we know that Mark and Barnabas were related. It helps explain why Barnabas was willing to split with Paul in Acts 15. It is interesting that Mark is here with Paul in Rome. By this time, Mark had already written the Gospel of Mark. The next time that Paul is in Rome, to die, he will ask Timothy to bring Mark with him to help him.

Just to make sure they understand that Paul is not promoting Jewish custom, Paul mentions that of all the people with him, these men are the only Jews with him (men of the circumcision).

Vs. 12-13 Epaphras is honored here. He apparently was the guy who "planted" the church in Colosse. Paul is showing his esteem for him and may also be saying they should honor Epaphras more than those teachers who are confusing them.

V. 17 Archippus is the son of Philemon, the recipient of one of the letters we'll be reading.

When is the last time you read Colossians? Congratulations!

As mentioned, the conflict with those teachers who were trying to diminish the eminence of Christ, resulted in Paul and the Spirit giving us the longest, clearest declaration of the glory of Jesus, the Son of God, God the Son. When you put it all together, He deserves our love, our devotion and our wonder.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6bBxO37LE4

Psalm 78:56-72

V. 56 is the contrast to God's amazing salvation of His people from Egypt. All those signs and wonders, yet….

V. 60 This is what we have heard mentioned in Jeremiah. "The temple of the Lord…" was like their good luck charm, but they had defiled it and rebelled against God.

Vs. 68-72 are the real point here. It was through David that God brought order and stability to Israel. We don't really get this. We don't have any real faith in our politicians. Back then, the conquering hero, the king, brought stability and it was a great day when he returned victorious from battle. I meant safety, order and peace. We who know Jesus have a real hero. In psalms like these, and in all of the NT, we are invited to look to the return of our Lord and King, Jesus, who will bring order and lasting peace to the earth. That was the vision we saw in Isaiah. This song is a little old, but captures some of the emotion. When Jesus comes, there will be drama and celebration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbWmygE2cho&list=WLACA45B8BAEB0A4CB&index=20

Proverbs 24:28-29

Just reading these verses brings to mind words from Jesus and Paul. How many things can you think of from Jesus or Paul that tell you what our attitude, as the rescued, should be?

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.