If you don't
have a One Year Bible or prefer something online, this link will take you to
the day's reading, http://oneyearbibleonline.com/daily-oyb/. This
site allows you to select from several languages and several English
translations.
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. She 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.
Please Read
the Following Disclaimer
I'm writing the Reading Notes to and
for those who are following a One Year Bible and are 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, that is, 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 and important discipleship manual we have and it is the 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, or whom we are to be following. 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, as disciples, 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, 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 (BKC).
I read the BKC in doing background for the Reading Notes and refer to it quite
often. I also make reference to maps or charts in the BKC, though I will only
note where those resources can be found. Often you can do a search for these
and find them in Google books. Buying both volumes of the Bible Knowledge
Commentary would be a good idea.
I am not endorsing any particular
One Year Bible translation; in fact, I read something you probably don't, Die
Revidierte Lutherbibel, 1984. Unless noted, all Scripture quotes are from the
ESV Bible.
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. Often there is a breadth of opinion on certain events, both
historical and prophetic. Many of my views come from my church background,
theological training and my personal study.
I'm doing
this with discipleship in mind, meaning, I'm writing out thoughts that will
keep discipleship and our growth as disciples applied to what we are reading. Remember,
the real focus of the Reading Notes is to be a supplement, a disciple’s
commentary, giving motivation and insight so that we will keep following our
Lord in the harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make
disciples. Being in the Word every day,
sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning directly from Him, is the essential essence of
being and making disciples.
May the Lord bless you as you follow Him in the
harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples. Dan
If you would like documents
containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
If you would like a full
presentation of discipleship read Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples.
Or if you are struggling with
insomnia and would like a long boring dissertation on disciple making, these
can both be found on https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
Reading Notes ©, Dan Kachikis
2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
The One Year Bible © by
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton Illinois 60189
The Holy Bible, English
Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of
Good News Publishers.
All charts/graphics/outlines
from the Bible Knowledge Commentary are used with the permission of David C.
Cook.
© 1983, 2001 John F Walvoord and Roy B Zuck.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary is published by David C Cook.
All rights reserved. Publisher permission
required to reproduce.
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