OCTOBER 20
Reading The
One Year Bible every year gives you perspective and helps you make
connections. People often point their finger at the Old Testament and say that
it is full of war and that God created a militant nation. Really? Eventually
you notice that except for the seven years of conquering the land of Canaan,
Israel never fought offensive wars. The taking of the land of Canaan had a long
history. For over 400 years that we know of, God tried to redeem those people
through witnesses like Melchizedek, Abraham and Isaac. Israel's war was a
God-decreed judgment of a deeply perverse, children-killing culture. After the
conquest was over, all of Israel's wars were defensive.
Abraham never
took land, although he could have. Isaac could have taken land, because he had
a greater force than Abimelech; but instead, he put up with Abimelech's men
pushing him around. Jacob's sons destroyed Shechem, but Jacob and God both
described it as murder. David and Solomon could have set up an empire, but
neither conquered. David defended himself and Solomon was a builder. After
those men, you have Israel engaged in a north-south civil war, defending itself
from its neighbors, and then trying not to be overrun by Assyria and Babylon.
Guided by God, Israel was very non-aggressive. Most of what we read in the Old
Testament about war was largely the result of Israel's sin and God allowing
them to be chastened by their enemies. Most of what we read is about Israel's
failure to follow God. They lost their protection because that protection was
based on their relationship with God. Their purpose in God's redemptive plan
was to be small and blessed, and all nations would come to them because of
God's obvious presence among them. Redemption was always the plan and it was
very non-aggressive.
Jeremiah
35-36
These two chapters are looking into the past, citing two
very telling examples of why God would judge that generation of people in
Israel. One example shows respect and faithfulness and the other shows an
extreme lack of respect and faithfulness.
Jeremiah 35
Vs. 1-11 This is the story of how the Rechabites honored
their great, great, great, great grandfather. Just to frame the story for you,
here are some fun facts.
The Rechabites are a family going back to the early days of
the Exodus, having a connection with Moses' father-in-law and also with the
tribe of Judah. Apparently they became scribes during the 40 years in the
wilderness and settled in the town of a godly man to ply their trade. The name
of the town was Jabez. (1 Chron. 2:55)
We met Jonadab, the son (descendant) of Rechab, back when
Jehu became king. Jehu destroyed the house of Ahab and asked Jonadab to help
him kill the prophets of Baal. This was back in 2 Kings 10. Jonadab was
apparently a godly man and one of the remnant of 7000 men who had not bowed the
knee to Baal. That was about 240 years before this chapter in Jeremiah, about
the same length of time between now and the founding of the United States.
Jonadab lived at a very crucial and devastating time in the
northern kingdom and history of Israel. I believe he understood what would
happen in the future and made these rules for his family to protect them and
keep them from adopting the ungodliness of the culture. Both the abstinence
from drinking wine and not living in houses meant they would be nomads, living
away from cities. They had no houses and no vineyards. You could see this as
the difference between Abraham and Lot. When Lot moved down to Sodom and fell
into the "good life," he got infected. Abraham always lived in tents
and had his own community.
What makes this more interesting is that Jeremiah, a true
prophet of God, called them into the temple of God and offered them wine. How
much worse can a temptation be? But for them it was no temptation.
The real issue here is that Israel and Judah had become like
the people of Canaan whom God had sent Israel to judge and drive out of the
land. Baal worship and the sacrificing of the children from that worship had
become a cultural norm. The people were corrupt. Jonadab gave his descendants
rules to keep them uninfected and they held to these rules. Israel had already
been judged and taken into exile. Judah was in the process of judgment.
Vs. 12-17 God used this family as an example for the people.
They had honored their father and taken his warning seriously. Judah, in spite
of all they had seen and heard, did not honor their Father.
Vs. 18-19 I take this as an eternal promise given by God to
this family. This means that somewhere on earth, at this moment, there is a
descendant of Jonadab, the son of Rechab, who is a follower of Jesus.
Jeremiah 36
This chapter shows a very key event. King Jehoiakim was a
disgrace to his godly father and to God. Josiah, Jehoiakim's father, wept and
followed and honored the Word of God when it was read to him.
Vs. 1-3 This event, early in the career of King Jehoiakim,
was designed to give the people of Judah a chance.
V. 2 Notice that this is really God's command to write the
book of Jeremiah. I wonder if Jeremiah had already written out notes. This book
would be almost everything we've read: chapters 1-12, 14-20, 22:1-19, 26 &
35.
Vs. 4-8 This apparently is the first time Jeremiah used
Baruch. Notice again in v. 7 that the intent was to see if there were open
hearts. Baruch was apparently known, godly and brave. Since this was early in
the reign of Jehoiakim, there was still the afterglow of the godliness that had
been a part of Josiah's revival. There would be some people who might respond
positively.
Vs. 9-19 These men knew they were in trouble because of the
Word of the Lord, and because they would have to take this message before their
donkey (referring of course to his burial) of a king.
V. 11 This man is Michaiah, the son of Gemariah, the son of
Shaphan. Shaphan was one of the men who discovered the last copy of the OT and
brought it to Josiah. These men still honored their father.
Notice that they advised Jeremiah and Baruch to hide.
Vs. 20-26 Compare this with how Jehoiakim's father, Josiah,
responded upon hearing the Word of the Lord.
2 Kings 22:18-19 But
to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus shall you say
to him, Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you
have heard, 19because your
heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard
how I spoke against this place, and against its inhabitants, that they should
become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before
me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD.
Vs. 27-32 God didn't think this was funny. The scroll was
renewed; the judgment was official; Jehoiakim and his descendants were excluded
from serving as kings. His son Jehoiachin was king for only three months and
spent the rest of his life in Babylon.
Among other things, this chapter shows us why Jehoiakim was
given the burial of a donkey. With the burial of an ass he
shall be buried, dragged and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 22:19)
In seeing God work through Jeremiah, you see that God was
both fair and realistic. He offered the chance for people to be helped, but
understood that most would not come to Him. We see this realism in how the Lord
taught His disciples and what He says to us. Remember
the word that I said to you: `A
servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted
me, they will also persecute
you. If they kept my word, they will
also keep yours. (John 15:20)
Our work in the harvest brings blessing because we do find
people who will come to Christ, receive forgiveness and become disciples, who
make disciples. We understand that many will not come to Christ, but we work on
for the sake of those who will, and because we know the best is yet to come.
And besides, following in the harvest is where we find and grow in the Lord.
1
Timothy 5
I'm sure at this point, Timothy was somewhat weighted with
these instructions, and the weight would just increase. Looking at the
instructions Paul gave him, it looks like Timothy was either the pastor, or he
was invested with apostolic authority. While Timothy was responsible to be an
example and model, it looks like Paul was assuming Timothy had the authority
and right to declare and make these decisions. Poor guy. It gives me the sense
that there had been some disaster or split and that Timothy was rebuilding.
Vs. 1-2 In doing what Timothy was told to do, Paul was
advising him how to relate to the groups in the church. Timothy had to win
confidence as he led; and remember, Paul just told him to be a model to all.
Vs. 3-8 There was no social security or social services in
those days. Thirty years earlier in Acts 6, widows in the church had been an
issue. It could also be that church widows were on the rise because of Nero.
Vs. 9-10 The issue here was not whether or not to help them
out financially on occasion. This seems to be an official position in the
church given to widows. If you look at all of the other things mentioned, the
enrolled widows would be serving the church. Apparently the younger widows had
abused this service of visitation and service by gadding about, becoming
gossips and busybodies. Look at Titus 2:3-5 to get a positive perspective on
this service.
V. 9 Literally, she had to have been a one-man woman. Again,
I think with all the other rules here, it is saying she was a faithful and
focused wife, not that she couldn't have been married to two men, both of whom
died, for example.
V. 10 She had to be comfortable in serving others and had to
have a reputation for doing it.
Vs. 11-15 Reading this about the younger widows gives you
the impression this office of widows was an official church position; and that,
in the case of the older widows, it was assumed they would focus on serving the
church and not focus on marriage. Apparently Paul had some experience with this
problem, where the younger widows were guilty of abusing the position,
"gadding about," checking out the available guys and getting
themselves in trouble.
V. 16 It was a pretty narrow category of woman who could be
enrolled, but apparently they had a lot of widows.
Just taking a think pause here, imagine: Timothy was the one
who was supposed to enforce this, being responsible for telling one widow
"yes" and another, "no." Imagine what it would have been
like trying to explain why a widow didn't qualify based on character or
experience. How would you like that? Also, Timothy got to tell the younger
widows that the church would not enroll them and that Paul (actually God) said
they should go out, get married and have kids. Poor Timothy.
Vs. 17-18 Again, Timothy had the responsibility to make these
decisions and see that this was done. I can't imagine that saying
"yes" to one man didn't offend another man. O Weh!
Now it gets worse.
Vs. 19-20 Apparently there had been cases of elders being
accused of sin, and some of them had been stubborn and didn't repent. Notice
that "sin" itself didn't disqualify an elder, but to persist in sin
did disqualify an elder. In the case of a repeat or stubborn offender, Timothy
was commanded to put them under discipline publicly
for the express purpose of instilling fear/respect in the other elders and
in the congregation. O Weh!
V. 21 This is a very strong charge to Timothy and you can
see why.
V. 22 Practical matters: Go slow in putting men or women
forward. In time of need this is not easy. O Weh!
V. 23 I always laugh here because no one knows what this
verse is doing here. This is just me, but I don't think Timothy's stomach was
the problem. I think it was his head. Look at everything Paul has just told
Timothy to do. Think of all the stress and all of the potential conflict and
yelling. I think Timothy couldn't get calm. I don't think it was the bacteria
in the drinking water that was causing him distress. I think Timothy's stress
in his mind and soul gave him a bad stomach. I think the wine was for the
stress, and therefore, for the stomach.
Vs. 24-25 This is some calming advice from Paul. Sometimes
you just don't know if you've put the right person in a position. You do your
best and they can still turn out to be a fraud and a fake. You have to know you
tried to do the right thing, face the music and take them out of that position.
O Weh! On the other hand, if you take the time to slowly look at a person's
life, you'll also see, eventually, if they are bearing fruit for Christ.
Poor Timothy. O Weh! We get to do this in the harvest. O
Weh!
Psalm
89:14-37
We'll be in Psalm 89 one more day and there are lots of
things to observe and underline.
Vs. 14-18 You notice in v. 14 that steadfast love and faithfulness are mentioned, and then in v. 18 an
earthly king is mentioned. That king would be David and David learned and
taught the people God's steadfast love
and faithfulness.
Vs. 19-37 This is like one long run-on sentence of God
declaring His sure, unconditional steadfast love and promise to David.
Underline where God says, I. Notice
how often God's love is mentioned. Notice too, how God makes sure we understand
that this covenant cannot fail. These are amazing verses.
One thing that stood out to me in this reading was v. 17, for you are the glory of their strength.
I would say in all the things that we face in following Christ, it is all worth
it if in and through it we learn that our glory is in Christ and He is our
strength.
Proverbs
25:25-27
V. 25 This
brings peace.
V. 26 This
doesn't bring peace; you only think it does.
V. 27 This
never brings peace. Just like the action of v. 26, this comes back to haunt
you.
News from the
far country takes time and waiting. The other two are immediate; they consume
us and eventually they destroy peace personally and in a group.
Just for fun, let me share a rare translation of verse 27. The Hebrew
is very hard to understand and there are various translations. Most of the
translations suggest that verse 27 is negative because verse 26 is negative.
Martin Luther did something completely different with his translation. He made
a contrast between the two verses. Verse 27 is actually only 3 words, seeking
and weight/glory/honor and weight/glory/honor. In English, Luther's translation
would read, "but he who searches out weighty things, to him it brings
honor, or shows that he is honorable, a person of weight and worth. The idea is
that eating honey is easy, but setting one's heart to understand important
things shows that a person is honorable and diligent. I won't go into a lot of
detail here because Luther is the only one I found who translates this this
way, but there is good evidence for this translation. For example, Jabez in
1Chronicles 4:9 was this kind of "weighty" man.
For me, I think that for everyone on this planet, including believers,
it is easy to go the easy way. To enjoy the sweetness and to forget or merely dabble
in the weight of this life is what most people choose. But if a disciple is a
person of "weight" (honor), they search their way through the
"weight" of this life, following the Lord, reaching out to the lost
and making disciples who make disciples.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment