October 9, Reading Notes

Jeremiah 12-14:10

Jer. 12

Vs. 1-4 Jeremiah is upset that as times get bad, the wicked and those who are plotting against him can hold it off longer because of their resources.

Vs. 5-6 God is challenging Jeremiah. He has not yet really seen what God's judgment will look like and how vile the people will be in their response to his preaching. God is telling Jer that this is a picnic compared to how it will be.

Vs. 7-13 You notice that the word "heritage" is prominent in this pronouncement of God's judgment on Judah and Jerusalem.

Vs. 14-17 This is a pronouncement of judgment on the neighbors, then compassion on Judah and compassion on the nations who listen to what the Lord is doing. This might be looking to the end of the tribulation and the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom.

Jer. 13

Vs. 1-7 First, what was this? Apparently it was like a belt and worn around the waist. The priest wore a sash or belt like this. John the Baptist wore one made out of leather. In order for this to have made any point to the people, it would have been recognizable and understandable to them. Apparently when Jeremiah wore it, it was either very attractive or it made him look like he was working as a priest when he wasn't.

V. 4 There are two possibilities with the Euphrates. There is a town/location about 3 miles from Jeremiah's home town of Anathoth that is spelled almost the same way. If it is the Euphrates River, that would have been a 700 mile round trip. If it is the near location, then this "parable" would have been more visible to the people and would have applied to the usefulness of the people to God. The name would have been a "suggestion" of exile sounding like the Euphrates. If it really is the Euphrates, then this is also a very strong warning about the future exile since the exiles would have been led north to the Euphrates and then south down the Tigris to Babylon.

Vs. 8-11 The point here is the linen belt. Just as the belt looked good and brought glory to the wearer, also signifying the purpose of the priest, Judah and Jerusalem's usefulness was in giving glory to God. When they stopped doing that and fell into idolatry and disobedience, they were rotted and unable to be used.

Vs. 12-14 The people's response to this word was positive. They liked wine, but these are the grapes of wrath and the anguish of this judgment would be so emotionally devastating that it would be like them being drunk, confused, off balance, and not being able to regain their composure. Imagine being drunk forever.

Vs. 15-17 God's warning of judgment and Jeremiah's warning that if the people don't listen, he'll cry again.

Vs. 18-19 This looks like it is the humbling of King Jehoiachin and his mother who actually surrendered the city to Nebuchadnezzar, keeping it from being totally destroyed. This humility marked the second deportation of exiles and was a sign of mercy. The people who remained in Jerusalem didn't heed this mercy.

Vs. 20-27 The king and the people didn't change, so the next time Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem it was for total destruction.

V. 22 Some of this imagery is very strong. The harlot is being raped, receiving the punishment fitting of her sin.

V. 27 This imagery is just that, imagery. God will cleanse His people.

Jer. 14:1-10

Vs. 1-6 Drought was one of the punishments God would bring against the people if they left Him as mentioned in Deuteronomy.

Vs. 7-9 Jeremiah pleading for the people.

V. 10 But the people wouldn't change, so God had to punish them.

When Jeremiah was just getting started, King Josiah found a copy of the Bible. When they read the books of Moses to Josiah, probably Deuteronomy, Josiah was moved to tears and grief because he understood the judgment coming against his people. When we read all of this, as disciples, we need to understand that what is going to happen to the people on this planet, our town, our neighborhood, our family, who don't know Christ will make Jeremiah look like a party. Jesus said it best when He talked about what they would be facing for eternity, "where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched." That is eternal punishment. It doesn't mean we need to get obnoxious in the harvest, but it does mean that we need to work and pray constantly. It was Jesus who saved us from the wrath of God. He is the only one who can save them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW2ACyQGJUA

1 Thessalonians 1-2:9

After Paul established the church in Philippi, he went on to Thessalonica, a major city of about 200,000. We've read this in Acts 17:1-9. We know Paul was there at least three weeks and might have been there from 3-6 months. Paul thanked the Philippians for two gifts of money they sent to him as he worked, starting and establishing the church in Thessalonica. From the two letters we have to this church, we can see that Paul did some very in depth teaching to establish them. There was a lot of persecution to Paul and the church there, and eventually Paul was driven out and had to flee to Berea. When Paul settled down in Corinth, he wrote these letters to encourage the people in their faith, in the persecution and to correct misunderstanding about what he taught them and to correct false teaching by some of the Jews, who, as usual tried to discredit Paul.

1Thes. 1

V. 3 Notice that their faith became immediately visible. They were immediately met with opposition.

V. 5 Notice "our gospel." This is to say that in spite of what others said about Paul, the power of the Gospel was visible to them and bore fruit.

Vs. 6-10 Children become imitators of their parents. This is why Jesus' words to His disciples are so important, "a disciple is not above his teacher." We need to be disciples of our Lord so that as we make disciples and they imitate us, they naturally grow to imitate Christ.

The word about what God did among the Thessalonians and their faith in Christ became news.

1Thes. 2:1-9

As you read this, understand that Paul had been/was being slandered and said to have taken advantage of them. Just like in 1 & 2 Corinthians, Paul is having to defend himself here. But notice the gentleness in his tone. This wasn't a job for Paul. He poured out his heart to God and to them. They even sacrificed so that they could work there among them.

Disciples in the harvest are natural born fools - pouring out their hearts, living by faith in love with Jesus Christ, allowing "life" to pass them by in order to reach out to those who don't even know they're lost. They spend their lives, working to make disciples who will do the same and follow Christ and pour out their lives to make disciples. Paul poured out his heart, first to Jesus, and then in the love of Christ for others. He was a fool for the sake of Christ. He is a good person to imitate.

I heard this song at a church that has seen many, many people come to Christ. It's not a flawless church, but they have been blessed in bearing much fruit. This song was sort of a theme song for them. Having a kind of heart in the harvest, like Paul, is more important than strategy and talent. It needs humility in our salvation and love for Christ and a bold commitment to pour out our lives for Him. John the Baptist said, "No one can receive anything, except what is given to him from heaven." Even success isn't ours, but God still searches for a kind of heart that is open to Him to use in making disciples. Paul had that heart. We need it too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDKe95wfT7k

Psalm 79

It's kind of interesting to be reading Jeremiah as we're reading this psalm. What Asaph is protesting is exactly what God says will come upon the people.

V. 5 God's jealousy is because of Israel worshipping other gods.

God did punish the nations for going beyond the allowance He gave them to punish Judah and Jerusalem. In many cases their violence against the Jews became butchery and was filled with rage against God. Jeremiah will prophesy about that. At the end of the tribulation, this psalm will be fulfilled.

Proverbs 24:30-34

So, what is the point in all of this, especially if you don't own a vineyard or take naps in the afternoon?

It seems to me that it is saying that a little neglect leads to ruin. So, you can be a Christian workaholic and even be successful in "ministry," but neglect your marriage, your kids, your health and boom! Before you know it there are weeds all over the place; the wall is down; bad things are getting into the vineyard and it is ruined.

Along with the armor in Ephesians 6 is the command to stay alert with all perseverance. We still have this silly idea that walking though this life is easy and that God is a nice help when we need Him. This world is incredibly dangerous. Our bodies/spirits on this world are irreparably damaged, and the spiritual life is not a vigorous life. It is an impossible one. We need the Word and the Spirit every minute.

A Christian singer who the kids and I used to listen to "came out" in April 2010, making public that she is a lesbian. Now she's trying to bend the Bible to match her "lifestyle." Ironically, her life is now a ruined vineyard testifying to the truth of these verses. She never saw it coming.

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.