OCTOBER 25
Today you will read
Paul's last written words. It is interesting that the Lord worked it out so
that Paul's final words would be written to a disciple, and they are great
words. Also, I'm sure if you take everything Paul has written and rearrange the
letters just right, you can make the sentence, "Go out and enjoy a pumpkin
spice latte as you read today."
Jeremiah 48-49:22
This section today
records God's punishment of three neighboring nations who were also
"relatives" of Israel. Moab and Ammon were descendants of Lot,
Abraham's nephew. Edom came from Esau, the son of Isaac and brother of Jacob.
All of these nations played a role in the corruption and demise of Israel, but
Edom's actions during the time of the destruction of Jerusalem put them into a
special category.
Jeremiah 48
This is the judgment
on Moab. I have no idea why so much space is given to them other than they may
have had the largest and most ungodly influence on Israel. Their influence goes
back to the wilderness and Baal Peor and Balaam. That was a crucial, defining
event in Israel's wanderings in Numbers 25, and it is referred to again and
again in both the Old Testament and in the New Testament. Also, Solomon was
greatly influenced by his wives from Moab and Ammon. It was Solomon who
introduced idolatry into Israel and into the family of David. It is probably
because of this idolatry that Solomon and his sons were not in the physical
line of Christ, the line of Mary, as given in the Gospel of Luke. Chemosh,
Molech and Milcom were names for the same god, and these were the gods who were
worshiped by throwing babies into their open mouths of fire. The babies came as
the result of the "X-rated" worship of Baal and his wife Ashtoreth.
It was the sex apparently that lured the old king into this spiritual
defection. As the text below shows, Solomon worshiped these gods and this came
by the influence of his wives from Moab and Ammon. Again, this is probably the
reason why Moab is given such eminence in this judgment.
1 Kings 11:5-7 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and
after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of
the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done. 7Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh
the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on
the mountain east of Jerusalem.
Vs. 1-8 This is the
declaration of destruction and distress that will come on Moab. Notice the
reference to Chemosh in v. 7.
Vs. 9-10 Moab will
flee but the pursuers will not give up.
Vs. 11-13 Moab lived
in relative ease, never having to change, also meaning that they never repented
from idolatry. Chemosh is there again.
Vs. 14-20 This is the
taking away of Moab's pride, both in removing its heroes and destroying its
cities.
Vs. 21-25 This again
is the summary of Moab's humbling.
Vs. 26-27 And this is
the reason for God's judgment. It is interesting that God promises this
judgment, but the armies that did it were not from Israel. Moab was destroyed
by God, using other nations, not Israel.
Vs. 28-33 The people
of Moab would become homeless.
Vs. 34-39 This is the
mourning and crying of the people of Moab.
Vs. 40-46 This is
God's declaration of judgment and suffering. And here is Chemosh mentioned
again in v. 46.
V. 47 Yet at the end
of the age, in the Millennial Kingdom, there will be blessing for Moab. Go
figure.
Jeremiah 49
Vs. 1-6 This is the
judgment on Ammon.
V. 3 Milcom was
another name for Molech or Chemosh (the sacrifice of babies).
V. 6 Yet even for
Ammon, at the end of the age, in the Millennial Kingdom, there will be
blessing.
Vs. 7-22 The judgment
against Edom.
Vs. 9-10 This hints
at some of Edom's sin. During the destruction of Jerusalem and destruction of
the surrounding cities, the Edomites were like the grape pickers and thieves,
Babylon's little helpers. The Edomites picked everything bare.
You'll notice that
there is no mention of restoration for Edom. We'll read more about Edom in the
book of Obadiah, but Malachi 1:4 says it all.
If
Edom says, "We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins," the LORD
of hosts says, "They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be
called 'the wicked country,' and 'the people with whom the LORD is angry
forever.'"
No millennial
blessing here.
Notice again that God
Himself pronounces judgment, but Israel was not His tool for punishment of the
nations. God allowed the nations to punish one another. Israel was purposed for
the redemption of the nations; and, as we've seen, they themselves were judged
and punished.
2 Timothy 4
Vs. 1-2 The day I
memorized this, it was like being given a privilege by the Lord. Next to the
Great Commission and Acts 1:8, I believe this is the greatest charge to us in
the NT. It's hard to get back to the old, strong roots of conviction; but this
charge, this truth, and this confidence in the Word of God has to be alive in
our hearts in each generation until Jesus returns. It is the Word, and nothing
but the Word, that the Spirit uses to give light and life. We are here to shine
in the darkness and to give testimony to the truth.
V. 2 Notice that
Timothy is cautioned again to teach with complete
patience.
Vs. 3-4 Again, that
sense of urgency.
V. 5 This was a
personal charge for Timothy, from teacher to disciple. Notice the call to
suffer and to reach out. Somehow I think those go together.
Vs. 6-8 Paul was
confident that his time was short.
Vs. 9-10 Timothy
needed to get to Paul ASAP. Demas may have been the only person to desert Paul,
but it seems fishy to me that Titus and Crescens were mentioned in the same
breath.
It could very well be
that when the great panic struck the group, as the Romans did what they did and
grabbed Paul, that in sheer fear, the group scattered. Demas, apparently, was
motivated by something more than fear. And too, it may be that Titus and
Crescens had already left and were on assignment when the hammer fell.
Vs. 11-13 Luke was
still there, good old Luke. Paul needed help and I think it may have been more
than a one-man job.
Mark is the guy who
deserted Paul early in the book of Acts, but now Mark had written the Gospel of
Mark. He was a cousin of Barnabas.
If Timothy was
working in Ephesus, one of the things on his mind would have been leaving the
work unattended to go to Paul in Rome. Therefore, I think, Paul told Tim that
he had already sent Tychicus to him, to take over for him.
V. 13 Paul needed the
cloak for the dark, dank, dirty, dismal dungeon. It is interesting that Paul
wanted the Bible too. He needed the encouragement of the Word right to the end.
Apparently they didn't have "compact" versions back then.
Vs. 14-15 We don't
know who this Alexander was, but God did. Timothy was ordered by the Spirit to
avoid him.
Vs. 16-18 Paul
appeared before Nero and the other judges. In 64 A.D. Nero burned Rome and
began his persecution of the Christians, whom he made the scapegoats for his
madness. This was now 67 A.D., and though Paul had managed to serve "under
the radar," God brought him "front and center" now to bear
witness before the Gentiles. Look at what Jesus told the Twelve when He sent
them out:
Matthew 10:17-20 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts, and flog you
in their synagogues, 18and
you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness
before them and the Gentiles. 19When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or
what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.
20For it is not you who
speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Vs. 19-22 These are
very interesting short bursts. I find it interesting that God didn't allow
Trophimus to be healed.
For a second time,
Paul asks Timothy to come quickly.
Though we will read
more of what Paul wrote, these are Paul's last recorded words on earth, in the
harvest. And they are from a faithful disciple to a disciple.
Psalms 95-96
Psalm 95
Vs. 1-5 What a joyous
call to worship.
Vs. 6-11 And this is
an interesting way to tell people that if they are His sheep, they need to
follow. When we get to Hebrews, we'll hear some of these words again in
reference to entering God's rest.
If you are
interested, the group, “Sons of Korah,” have a great song for this psalm. It is
almost word-for-word to the NIV. It gives you an idea of how this psalm might
actually have been sung in worship.
Psalm 96
Vs. 1-6 This psalm is
full of testimony to the nations based on the new song of salvation that the
Lord had put into the hearts of His people. This is the way God does it. Those
who know Him, His love and His presence are the ones who are compelled to share
Him in the harvest.
Vs. 7-9 Notice how
redemptive this song is. All nations are called upon to come to the Lord and
give glory to Him.
V. 10 The good news
for everyone is that the Lord reigns. And we know the One who is on the throne.
Vs. 11-13 The curse
on creation will be lifted when the Lord comes. Though judgment is mentioned
here, no one who sings this psalm has any fear of the Judge. There is only the
joy of His coming.
Proverbs 26:9-12
This all looked
pretty good. I was smiling and agreeing with it all, until I ran into v. 12 and
hurt myself. J
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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