OCTOBER 13
Another
exciting day of seeing Jeremiah in action and beginning the fourteenth book of
the New Testament.
Jeremiah
22-23:20
Jeremiah 22
The kings after Josiah went like this:
Josiah, Josiah's son Shallum, Josiah's son Jehoiakim, Jehoiakim's son
Jehoiachin, Josiah's son Zedekiah.
This prophecy to the kings seems to be
made toward the end of Jehoiakim's reign. When Josiah died, the people made his
oldest son Shallum (Jehoahaz, 2 Kings 22:30)
the king. Pharaoh Nico took Shallum prisoner and made his brother, Jehoiakim,
king. After Jehoiakim, Coniah (also referred to as Jeconiah or Jehoiachin) was
made king. Jehoiachin surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar, and Neb made another son
of Josiah the king, Jehoiachin's uncle Zedekiah.
Anyway, Zedekiah is not in view here,
so the timing seems to be during Jehoiakim's reign, looking back to Shallum and
looking forward to Jehoiachin.
Vs. 1-4 If this word was spoken to
Jehoiakim, it definitely fell on deaf ears. We'll see Jehoiakim's true
character in a few chapters.
Vs. 5-9 God knew that they wouldn't
obey. What is interesting is that even in God bringing judgment to the people
and destruction to Jerusalem, it would be a testimony to the nations.
Vs. 10-12 It should have been a major
shock to see Josiah's son Shallum taken away. Unlike King Manasseh who repented
and was returned from prison, Shallum would never return. He was a warning.
Vs. 13-17 Rather than fearing and
respecting God and taking to heart what happened to his brother Shallum,
Jehoiakim lived the good life and was a rotten ruler.
Vs. 18-19 As a result, no one would be
sad to see Jehoiakim die. I'll bet they didn't even say, "Ah, my
donkey!"
Vs. 20-23 This is a cry to the house of
David and the entire nation. Notice the mention of the shepherds. The shepherds
(leaders) will be the focus of the next chapter.
Vs. 24-30 God is saying that the taking
of Coniah was a sure thing. He was actually evil, but even if he had been like
a ring on God's hand, he would have been sent away. Jehoiachin (Coniah) was
only 18 or 19 when taken as a prisoner to Babylon. Oddly enough, 37 years after
he was taken, Nebuchadnezzar's son, Evil-Merodach (I think Merodach
translates into "Knievel,"
in Babylonian) freed Jehoiachin, as proof of the blessing God had spoken on
those who would surrender to Nebuchadnezzar. (2 Kings 25:27)
One interesting note here is that God
says that none of Jehoiachin's descendants would sit on the throne of David.
Joseph, Mary's husband, was descended from David through Jehoiachin. That would
have made Jesus disqualified to sit on David's throne, but Jesus was the physical son of Mary, who was descended
from David through Nathan, Solomon's brother, none of whose sons became kings.
God held to this curse on Jehoiachin. It is interesting that Jesus did not come
through the line of Solomon. Solomon was an idol worshipper.
Jeremiah 23
Vs. 1-4 This is the promise of judgment
on the past shepherds of Israel and a
promise for the regathering of the people under good shepherds.
Vs. 5-8 The house of David will once again
become good shepherds. In fact, the shepherd in view here is the Good Shepherd,
Jesus Himself. That a Branch is
referred to has to do with a stump being left of a tree, and a branch would
come out of this "remnant" and become a tree. Although different
words are used for branch, the word Nazareth means “branch.” When people said,
"Jesus of Nazareth" they were hearing "Jesus of Branch."
God had put clues all over, for those who were perceptive enough to seek Him.
I think the days in view here are the Millennial
Kingdom when Jesus rules over the world and the Jews will be regathered to
Israel.
Vs. 9-10 This cry of Jeremiah is
because of the false prophets, some
of whom were priests and known by Jeremiah.
Vs. 11-15 In this judgment on the
prophets and priests, there is a comparison between the false prophets of
Samaria and Jerusalem. The main difference is that while the prophets in
Samaria spoke in the name of Baal, the prophets in Jerusalem spoke lies in the
name of the Lord.
Vs. 16-20 God will continually show
these prophets are wrong by bringing
disaster on the people. It is also interesting that Jesus strongly and
repeatedly warned His disciples against false christs and false prophets. In
the last days there will be lying signs, visions and good talking people.
(Matt. 24:24)
With so much being said about the
leaders leading the people away from the Lord, it is good to know that we are
leading people to the Lord. Making disciples is never about us, it is about
others growing deeply in the Word and growing to love and follow the Son.
Disciples are not greater than their teacher. We need to have this depth in the
Word and love for Jesus, so that we can imitate Him and those learning of Him
can see it in us.
2
Thessalonians 1
This letter was probably written in
Corinth immediately after Timothy returned from Thessalonica. The two big
issues that seem to be present had to do with the Thessalonians holding up
under persecution and there was a need for correction regarding some false
teaching about the Lord's return.
Vs. 1-4 Their growth was evident in how
they treated one another and how they stood firm in persecution and affliction.
In their short time as a church, God had made them an example to other
churches.
Vs. 5-6 In suffering, God tempers His
people, proving their "worth;" that is, that they are really saved,
and He deepens them in knowing Him. When those who mistreat believers see that
persecution doesn't work, they see this as an omen of their coming judgment. I
think Paul saw this during that time when he persecuted the church. Paul was
convicted by the love and steadfastness of believers who would not deny Christ.
Vs. 7-10 At the judgment, there will be
vindication and joy for those who have suffered, and there will be judgment for
those who don't know God. It is interesting that as Paul mentioned this relief,
he also mentioned the coming of the Lord and God's judgment on mankind. For
some of the atrocities on this planet there will be no relief until we leave
this planet. There will be no justice until people have a
"face-to-face" with the Lord.
V. 9 Hell will be away from the
presence or face of the Lord, and those who are in hell will have no sense of God’s
glory or might. Everyone alive has an internal sense of His eternal power and
deity. We all enjoy God's work and presence. That will be removed for those who
reject God.
V. 10 Jesus will be glorified IN his
people who held on.
Vs. 11-12 Paul's prayer was that they
would be strong Christians, in whom the power of Christ would be proven. As
disciples we know we are to carry our cross, prepared for death, daily; but it
is the Lord's choice to determine how our lives will bring glory to Him in the
harvest. If it means being crushed for Christ to bring Him glory, then we
praise God in the press.
What is interesting in these days of
reading is that it is hard to find a day when the Lord is not pointing to the
end of time and the fulfillment of redemption. Did you realize that? I think
that's pretty cool. We are always being given the hope and perspective of what
we are living for and that God will bring everything to a glorious ending and a
new beginning.
Psalm
83
Reading Jeremiah, we
understand that God does approve of our crying out for justice and for help
from oppression.
Vs. 1-8 This long
complaint may have come during the days of Hezekiah when the surrounding
nations thought that the Assyrians would level Jerusalem. These nations would
have been east of Jerusalem, across the Jordan; and they might have felt
insulated from Assyria's threat. That this crying out is included in God's
Word, and inspired by His Spirit, should tell us it is OK for us to cry out to
Him too.
Vs. 9-12 This son of
Asaph appeals to how God delivered Israel during the life of Gideon, as
recorded in Judges 6-8. This goes to show that it is good to read the Bible and
know the events that show God's deliverance and power.
Vs. 13-18 To me, vs.
16 and 18 are the most interesting verses. Even in calling on God to rebuke
these nations, there is the thought that if God humbles them, they may seek
Him. After seeking God comes the knowing of God, and in it all, God receives
the glory.
Proverbs 25:11-14
All of
these are good words and advice. Wisdom is using God's words here to guide the
next things we do. Inherent in God mentioning these different people is His
desire that we become like the positive examples and don't become the negative
examples.
If you’re reading along
and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/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
complete description of this model of being and making disciples you can find
it in my book: Simply Disciples*Making Disciples.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
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 or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.
If you would like
documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to
print.
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