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 22
Today reflects a lot of dark times in the plan of redemption. In The
Psalms we get Moses' reflections of 40 years leading a dying generation through
the wilderness. In Jeremiah, Jerusalem is destroyed and the last of Israel is
taken into captivity. And then it gets worse. In 2 Timothy, we find Paul in
prison in Rome awaiting death, and I think Timothy is shaking in his sandals.
It might be a good idea to get a bowl of something sweet to eat (candy corn…
pumpkin pie…) as you read through these portions.
Jeremiah
39-41
Jeremiah 39
Vs. 1-14 This is a summary of
the events. This happened just as God said it would.
V. 11 Notice that Nebuchadnezzar
knew quite a bit about Jeremiah. There could have been a lot of sources for
this information, but in terms of his desire to be kind to Jeremiah, you only
have to look at the book of Daniel. Daniel had now been Neb's chief advisor for
about 17 years. Nebuchadnezzar had not only worshipped God twice, but he had
made it a law in his empire that Jews had complete religious liberty to worship
Yahweh only.
Vs. 15-18 This is a flashback
just before the Babylonians broke into the city. God tells Ebed-melech (see
chapter 38) that he will be spared from the destruction of Jerusalem. Anyone
who followed the Lord was spared. That says something about God and about the
people. You of course noticed that Ebed-melech is the first of two very famous
and honored Ethiopian eunuchs in the Bible. Notice that Ebed actually trusted
in the Lord. I think his faith saved him.
Jeremiah 40
Vs. 1-6 We will not read this
word of the Lord until Jeremiah 42:9. All of this is historical narrative of
what happened after the Babylonians left and why the leaders and people came to
Jeremiah to inquire of God. God's judgment on the ungodly wasn't finished, and
what you see in chapter 42 will either shock you or you'll just say, "I
should have known that was coming."
Apparently Jeremiah was
rounded up for deportation to go into exile. When Nebuchadnezzar told
Nebuzaradan to free Jeremiah, Nebuzaradan had to actually hunt for Jeremiah.
His words to Jeremiah in vs. 2-3 show you what the leaders of Babylon
understood about what God was allowing to happen to Jerusalem. I believe this
is the influence of Daniel. God made Daniel a man with incredible impact. We'll
see that he was the godliest man on earth at that time. The presence of such a
person on earth has only happened a few times in the history of this planet.
Through Daniel God protected His people in the Babylonian and Persian Empires,
both preserving them and sending them back to Israel. That Nebuzaradan knew all
of this about God's judgment and about Jeremiah probably means that Daniel had
explained everything to Nebuchadnezzar and the other leaders. Daniel, as a boy
before he was taken into captivity, would have known Jeremiah; and Daniel, as a
prophet, would have been connected to Jeremiah by the same Spirit. It never
says that Daniel accompanied Nebuchadnezzar on his journeys, but Daniel was his
top/main/chief personal advisor, so it is possible that Daniel was there when
Zedekiah had his eyes put out. It could also mean that Daniel actually met
Jeremiah. Since Daniel was probably from the nobility, and Zedekiah was the son
of Josiah, they might have known each other too.
Vs. 7-16 Some people suggest
that it would have taken over a year to set up a government, but Gedaliah was
an experienced government leader who came from godly stock. He would have known
how to organize things. In a way this was no different than Nebuchadnezzar
installing a new king, except that he destroyed the city and the temple, took
all of the bronze and gold, and most of the people. What was left behind would
have been very easy to organize and run.
V. 12 Notice that there was
plenty of blessing.
Notice v. 14.
Jeremiah 41
Vs. 1-3 Ishmael had been an
Israelite captain in the army. During the siege, many groups of Israel's army
were outside of the city, probably hiding in the surrounding countries. I don't
think Ishmael was trying to take over. I think he was sent as an assassin. The
nations around Israel, including Egypt and the Ammonites, had made a treaty to
fight together against Babylon. The reason Gedaliah had to die was that he
wanted to obey God (whether he was godly or not) and serve Nebuchadnezzar. This
is why he was killed. It is like the governments the US has set up in
Afghanistan and Iraq. Their leaders become targets for assassination because
they are no longer supporting the surrounding countries.
Vs. 4-10 This shows that
Ishmael was a murdering opportunist. These 80 men were murdered for their
supplies.
V. 10 Apparently Jeremiah was
alive among the prisoners who were being taken to the Ammonites (Jordan). Poor
Jeremiah. And this was nothing. Things were about to get exponentially worse.
Vs. 11-16 Unfortunately for
Ishmael, Johanan liked Gedaliah and didn't like Ishmael. So now we have a happy
ending, right? Johanan is a hero, right? Jeremiah is finally safe, right? O Weh!
Vs. 17-18 Now we have the
stage set for the Word of the Lord mentioned in Jeremiah 40:1.
2
Timothy 1
Paul is in jail in Rome. Nero
has gone officially nuts. Paul isn't under that nice house arrest like before;
instead he is sitting in a deep, dark, dank dungeon facing death.
Vs. 1-2 If you look at a
couple of Paul's normal greetings in Ephesians and Philippians, you'll see that
the first verses of 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy are different. I think that Paul is
really emphasizing here that the reason we risk our lives in this dark world is
because of the promise of life in Christ Jesus.
Vs. 3-8 Several sermons could
be preached on this. This is very tender and Paul is trying to strengthen and
rouse Timothy. I think Timothy was fearful because of the storm of persecution
that had suddenly broken upon the church by Nero. It is one thing to talk about
persecution. I think Timothy was in shock.
Vs. 8-12 Notice that this
begins and ends with not being ashamed. Notice the tight logic and connection
of these words and how one thought flows into the other, building an eternal
perspective in the gospel.
Vs. 13-14 These are very
personal words for Timothy to keep on going and to keep working in the harvest.
The
faith and love that are in Christ Jesus is what Paul received as a
spiritual enablement in 1 Timothy 1:14. This phrase is a good one to ponder.
V. 15 The storm that hit Paul
scattered the flock. Apparently it was a surprise and a blow to Paul that these
two guys deserted him. Timothy would have known them too. Remember, Paul had
some physical ailment and probably needed more than one person to attend him.
We know from the end of this letter that Luke was the only one who stayed with
Paul. This is the same thing that happened to the disciples the night Jesus was
arrested. This could happen to anyone, but really, if we are trained in Christ,
shouldn't we be willing to die for Him in the harvest? What was it that Jesus
said about taking up our cross daily? The cross meant death. After the initial
shock, we need to take hold of the spiritual reality of this life and fix our
eyes on Christ.
Vs. 16-18 Because of the tone
of v. 18, I wonder if Onesiphorus survived. I'm not sure and I’ve read
suggestions that he died. Timothy was later told (2 Tim. 4:19) to greet his
household, but that could have just meant his family. I think he might have
survived, but, imagine if the government was looking for Christians to lock up
and you went to visit the apostle Paul in jail. That would be like wearing a
t-shirt that said, "Hey, arrest me too!" That would be nuts, right?
But Onesiphorus was a disciple who, apparently, was nuts for Jesus.
Psalms
90-91
Wow, this is a mega reading.
Psalm 90 is by Moses, but Psalm 91 is anonymous. Reading them together you
wonder if Moses wrote Psalm 91 also. Psalm 90 could be Moses' reflection on 40
years in the wilderness leading the people, and Psalm 91 could be Moses'
reflection on 120 years being led by God on earth. Remember as you read these,
that they were both songs of worship, not just theological declarations.
Psalm 90
Vs. 1-2 God was their dwelling place in the wilderness, but
when they remembered the entire history of what had happened on earth from Adam
to Noah to Abraham, God was the dwelling place of all generations. What an
interesting thought that with all the decaying around us, God is eternal and
everlasting.
Vs. 3-4 This is the life of
man on earth without God. He has seen men come and go.
Vs. 5-6 This is the glory of
man on earth without God.
Vs. 7-8 The effects of sin
still ravage us. Even though we are saved, we still struggle with sin and this
decaying body.
Vs. 9-11 This is a summary of
the preceding verses. Life on earth isn't really something to die for or live
for.
Vs. 12-17 And if we understand
the desperate situation of life on this planet, then there is reason to rejoice
in knowing the Lord. He is the only one who makes life of any value, who gives
any lasting joy and who will make our lives count for anything in His
redemptive purpose in this life on earth.
Psalm 91
Vs. 1-2 Notice the theme of
dwelling. These are two pretty famous verses and great declarations of our hope
in the Lord.
Vs. 3-6 If this is written by
Moses, this could be a reflection on the conflict with Pharaoh. God didn't just
protect Moses and Aaron, but His wings
covered millions of people and led them out of Egypt.
Vs. 7-8 This is God's comfort
to those who trust in Him. This might be a reflection of the peoples' fear,
knowing that Pharaoh was after them, and then seeing how God saved them after
passing through the Red Sea.
Vs. 9-10 Notice again the dwelling place and the freedom from the
plagues. Those plagues could have been what happened to the Egyptians. There
are other things that plague those who do not have God as their dwelling place.
Vs. 11-13 This is the promise
God gives to His people. Satan knew these verses well and used vs. 11 and 12 to
try to convince Jesus to throw Himself off the pinnacle of the temple (Matt.
4:5-7). God will save us as He sees fit. God was about to save Paul by taking
him to heaven in 2 Timothy.
Vs. 14-16 Actually, as I read
this I think of Jesus in Isaiah 53 and as He suffered on the cross. It might be
that as Satan quoted vs. 11 and 12 to Jesus, Jesus was thinking of these
verses. Dwelling with God in His presence is the best place we could ever be.
What a blessing to know Him and know His love and pleasure.
Proverbs
26:1-2
Amen.
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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