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 23
Jeremiah
42-44:23
As mentioned before, one
thing that shows you the Bible is the Word of God, and not the official
national literature of Israel, is that no national literature ever describes
its rulers and people in this way. After yesterday you might have thought that
things couldn't get worse. Today they do.
Jeremiah 42
Vs. 1-4 God has an
interesting way of showing people their depth of rebellion. This seems like a
good thing. They want to know God's will and they want to seek Him through
Jeremiah.
Vs. 5-6 The people took an
oath that they would obey.
Vs. 7-22 The only clue that
there is something wrong is in vs. 18-22. There would be no need for this
warning if there wasn't a danger. I think in the ten days they waited for
Jeremiah, they worried, had discussions, and made up their minds what they
needed to do. It must have seemed so obvious and they thought for sure that
Jeremiah would confirm it.
God promised them blessing,
but not according to the direction they wanted to go. Poor Jeremiah. O Weh!
Jeremiah 43
Vs. 1-3 Why is this not a
surprise? Interestingly, they blamed Baruch for this. Apparently, Baruch was a
well-known man outside of his association with Jeremiah, politically or
financially or socially. All of chapter 45 is devoted to Baruch, all 5 verses
of it. That chapter dates back to his first involvement with Jeremiah, implying
that Baruch had hopes of greatness in life. God told Baruch back then, almost
20 years earlier, that He would give Baruch his life as a prize of war, but
that there would be no greatness to be found living in those times in Israel.
Vs. 4-7 They took Jeremiah
and Baruch along with them at "gunpoint." They must have thought that
going to Egypt made sense and that no danger would follow them since Egypt was
a world power and they had now traveled between 100 and 150 miles further south
and away from Babylon.
Vs. 8-13 Even as God says
this, we still don't grasp how lost and perverse this group of refugees was.
That will come in the next chapter. It is almost as if God was going to curse
Egypt for them being there. God showed the Jews where Nebuchadnezzar would set
up his tent and his throne. Even in this dangerous situation, God gave Jeremiah
a word that put him in harm's way. Jeremiah had been the only one of the many
prophets who spoke to Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, who had been right. The people
knew this, but there is an irrationality in sin that chooses to think that
there is a way to "get around" God.
Jeremiah 44:1-24
Vs. 1-10 This all seems like
a general declaration against the people's rebellion for disobeying and running
to Egypt until you get to v. 8. These people were sick and would never change
their hearts. These circumstances revealed publicly what God knew was concealed
in their hearts.
Vs. 11-14 God was promising to
give these people a very special attention. His judgment would come on them
first because they set their hearts to go to Egypt. That was their recent
decision and act of disobedience. Notice that there would be some survivors.
Anyone like Jeremiah and Baruch who had been taken captive by them would be
saved.
Vs. 15-19 Here the people are
declaring their own sickness and guilt. Deeply anchored in their hearts was a
rejection of God and a devotion toward everything else.
Vs. 20-23 We understand the
truth of this and God's justice in punishing these people, but they didn't. As
we work in the harvest we see this quite often. We present people with the
truth, and even when it is obvious to them, sin often gains the upper hand and
leads them away. Even though people understand what they are doing makes no
sense, they will choose what makes no sense, rather than coming to God. There
is an invisible spiritual resistance deeply seeded within us. Thankfully there
are some people who hear the voice of truth and welcome it. That is our joy in
the harvest, seeing them come to Christ and then become disciples, who make disciples,
who make disciples.
2
Timothy 2:1-21
In this entire letter there
is a sense of urgency and importance. Try to sense that in this chapter as you
read.
V. 1 You then, my child. So what is then
referring to? I think it is all of chapter 1, particularly the need to stand
and suffer for Christ. It is like saying, "in light of this reality, do
this."
What does it mean for a
disciple to be strengthened by the grace
that is in Christ Jesus? What do you find in Christ that is grace? Some of
this is referring to what was said in chapter 1, but just thinking about what
we have in knowing Jesus is amazing grace, and dwelling on it is meant to make
us strong.
V. 2 Not just teaching, but
entrusting truth for the next generation. This is part of making disciples, who
make disciples.
Vs. 3-7 This isn't just for
the "professional" Christian; this is for every disciple. Yet,
especially for those in full-time service, this is a call to a very focused
life.
Notice the call, again, to
suffering for Christ and the gospel.
V. 6, I think Paul is
referring to working hard and trusting God for both fruit and daily provision.
V. 7 is quite a promise and I
think I've seen the fruit of this many times.
Vs. 8-13 I think this is a
call to Timothy to be a disciple and know what he's living for. The gospel is
at the center of this, and Paul's life is the example.
Notice that the last part of
this "saying" or "poem" is actually something Jesus told
His disciples on at least a couple of occasions. Actually, you can find parts
of this throughout Jesus' and Paul's words.
Matthew 10:33 - but
whoever denies me before men, I
also will deny before my Father
who is in heaven.
As mentioned in the Gospels,
being denied before the Father may refer to not being given the help needed at
a certain time. Since a person is already "helping" himself by not
confessing Christ, there is no need for Jesus to appeal to the Father for
special provision for that person as he gives testimony, since that person is
avoiding giving testimony and therefore saving himself.
V. 13 is a comfort of sorts.
If we belong to Christ, we are unconditionally saved and even if we are
unfaithful, He will hold on to us. Remember, this was the beginning of a very
bad time for Christians in the Roman world.
Vs. 14-18 It's too bad that
we only read to v. 21 today.
Notice that there are two
cautions here to avoid quarrels, and in the middle, Timothy is told to focus on
his understanding and presentation of the truth.
V. 15 This is a call for
every disciple to know the Word well.
The irreverent babble is defined as being the false teaching of
Hymenaeus (remember him from 1 Tim. 1?) and Philetus. But the quarrel about words (v. 14) is not
something we understand. I wonder sometimes if some of this isn't the
theological hair-splitting that goes on over issues like free will and
election. The focus for Timothy was to teach well what was understandable and
to remember that his behavior was always supposed to honor God in the harvest.
Vs. 19-21 We don't always
know who is a true believer, but God does. Remember in 1 Timothy 5, when Paul
tells Timothy not to approve of people too quickly? This is an extension of
that. I'm sure that these two men were well-known. There are always people in
the church who are believers, but not following. There are believers who are
focused on themselves and their standing in the group. God will even use them,
but then, in spite of themselves.
Do you see what Paul is
saying in this illustration? Some disciples submit to God and are used for
noble purposes, and some believers resist God and are used for purposes in
redemption, but in a utility kind of way. Back in that day the vessels for
ignoble use were used for garbage containers and toilets. I don't think any of
us want to be used for that in God's house. But, between the lines, I think
that's what Paul and the Spirit were thinking about H&P.
As disciples in the harvest,
the lines become more distinct if the church is focused on following Christ in
the harvest by making disciples, who make disciples. Those who live for
themselves and resist growth in Christ begin to stand out. We also find a lot
of believers who never fully involve themselves in the harvest, whom God uses
incidentally here and there. They are still believers and beloved, but their
focus is elsewhere.
Psalms
92-93
Psalm 92
In my Bible it says this is a
song for the Sabbath. Imagine taking the day off to reflect on the Lord and
enjoy His provision while everyone around you is ignoring this opportunity to
slow down and be thankful. I think that thought is held in some of the things
said here.
Vs. 1-4 The benefit of taking
time to meditate on the Lord was renewing one's trust in God's steadfast love, His faithfulness and the wonder of the works of His hands. These are
all things we need in the rush of life and that we forget in the rush of life.
Vs. 5-9 In meditation there
is a sense of perspective, of knowing and understanding the ways and thoughts
of God. It puts life on earth in the framework of the plan of God. In the
Lord's Prayer it says, Your kingdom come,
your will be done.
Vs. 10-11 This fresh oil is blessing. This person
(David?) had been blessed because of his meditation on God during times of
danger and stress.
Vs. 12-15 A life lived like
this, taking time to go slow and honor God, is summed up in vs. 14 and 15.
This psalm sounds more and
more like David. The blessing of meditation on the Lord is that even in old
age, there is freshness of heart and mind. And there is the heart willing to
testify to the faithfulness of God.
Psalm 93
This is a short song on God's
majesty and might, and fits to the Sabbath reflection of the last psalm. It is
called an enthronement psalm because it describes the ultimate victory of God,
as the Son sits on the throne.
Vs. 1-2 The Lord reigns in
majesty, might and everlasting immovability. This is to bring confidence and
stability to those who follow Him.
Vs. 3-4 This image of the
waters represents all that is chaotic and in rebellion against God. The Lord
still reigns above them.
V. 5 God has decreed. We
don't understand why things happen, but we trust the Lord and that what He has
allowed to be will ultimately work out at the end of the age, to prepare for
Him a holy house of faithful followers.
Proverbs
26:3-5
V. 3 I think I can look back
and say that when I have gotten the rod, I deserved it for being a fool.
If I understand these verses
correctly, they go like this…
V. 4 Do not answer the fool
in a foolish, mocking way, lowering yourself to his level.
V. 5 But do make a wise
response to a fool to correct and stop what he is doing.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment