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 27
Jeremiah 51:1-53
More on the judgment of Babylon. Reading all of this, the question I
have is why so much space is given to Babylon. Babylon did take the last of
Israel into captivity, and they did enter the temple and destroy it. These
things alone would put them in a special category.
Also, God put a lot of time into His work in Babylon and says some very
big, good things about Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2. Nebuchadnezzar built one of
the seven wonders of the world, and God humbled Neb and revealed Himself to Neb
in ways He has never done with other Gentile rulers.
I tend to think that there might also be something about Babylon that
typifies the pride and rebellion of man. The Tower of Babel was built there; Nimrod
became a great man there, and mankind was unified there in its rebellion, forcing
God to judge mankind yet again. (As a result of that curse we have the German
language. J) There must be something going on beyond the words in Jeremiah. I say
this because some of these words against Babylon haven't happened yet, and in
Revelation there is a very significant chapter about "Babylon" as
represented in a woman sitting on a beast. There is apocalyptic meaning
associated with this empire.
To show you what I mean, look at these references: Revelation 14:8,
16:19, 17:5 and 18:1-21. Much of what is written about Babylon in Isaiah,
Jeremiah and Ezekiel is repeated in Revelation. The fulfillment is yet to come.
As you read this section, look for structure and things to underline.
Vs. 1-5 Notice that this section mentions that in spite of God's
judgment, Israel and Judah are not forsaken.
Vs. 6-10 Notice the references to leave Babylon. Verse 10 seems to be a
key verse. God used Babylon to accomplish His work and purposes, and now He
would vindicate Israel and restore Zion. Again, when you get to the first five
chapters of Daniel, you will see a lot of God's grace being given to Babylon.
To reject God's grace, as is seen in Daniel 5, is a good justification for judgment.
They did have a chance to change and worship God.
Vs. 11-14 So, who is it who really is bringing the ruin of Babylon? God
doesn’t use His people. He uses the ambitions and pride of other nations to
defeat the proud. Israel, God's redemptive people, are not used in His
judgments.
Vs. 15-19 Notice that Jeremiah as a man and prophet declares God to be
the true God who is bringing this judgment. Notice how God is referred to in
the third person.
Vs. 20-26 Now notice that God is speaking in the first person. This
judgment has not fully taken place and is probably reserved for the time of the
Tribulation.
Vs. 27-33 This is the poetic description of the battle against Babylon
in those future days.
Vs. 34-40 This is Israel's case against Babylon.
Vs. 41-44 This is the taking of the city. Verse 41 sounds like a verse
from Revelation 14:8 and 18:2.
Vs. 45-46 In spite of this destruction, Israel is to take courage.
During the Tribulation with all the destruction and all the forces at play in
the world, that might not be an easy thing for Israel to do. Trust is never
easy.
Vs. 47-49 It is interesting to think of this. The Babylon of Jeremiah's
day would be punished for the slain of
Israel. Regardless of who the Babylon of Revelation is, they will be
punished because the blood of the saints was found in her (Rev. 18:24).
Vs. 50-53 Babylon's destruction is guaranteed, and v. 51 is one of the
reasons for it.
In reading all of this about judgment and thinking about Revelation, I
think of Jesus on His throne, taking the book of judgment. He earned the right
to open that book by dying for mankind. He is the only man of all mankind who
is worthy to judge mankind. That generation on the earth will behold His glory
in His wrath. In heaven, we will bow and worship Him as the Lamb who was slain
and lives forevermore.
Titus 2
Some of what Paul tells Titus sounds like things from 1 Timothy, just
very brief and condensed.
Vs. 1-6 In 1 Timothy 5 Paul told Timothy how to address different
groups. Here Paul tells Titus how these groups are supposed to behave. It is
interesting that older people in the church are to be models for the younger
people in terms of faith and following Christ. This holds true especially for
the older women. This teaching of the younger women looks like more than what
accidentally happens over a cup of coffee. It is planned discipleship.
Vs. 6-7 Very brief compared to 1 Timothy 4:11-16.
Vs. 8-10 This is directed to slaves.
Vs. 11-14 What a great declaration as to how our lives should reflect
the truth of the gospel. These are the first verses I memorized back in 1875 as
an Awana leader. (I might be 100 years off.)
Notice the good works. In any
time and in any culture, I think this is how the church reaches out, by loving
our neighbors for the sake of Christ. This is much deeper than meets the eye
and it is very neglected in terms of the harvest. Not only did Jesus list
loving your neighbor as the second greatest commandment (Matt. 22:39), but Paul
mentions it twice in the last part of Romans (13:9, 15:2).
V. 15 Apparently this thought was supposed to keep everyone focused on
the mission of the church. This sounds like Paul's words to Timothy, Let no one despise you for your youth.
Psalm 99
Vs. 1-5 The king is very clearly the Lord who reigns in Zion over all
the people of the earth. It is hard to read the Bible on any day in The One
Year Bible without bumping into the final redemption of man with God
reigning over all. I think the Lord wants us to keep that before our eyes in
the harvest.
Vs. 6-7 God worked through these great men during crucial times in
Israel's history to bring Israel justice and peace. But even though you had
these leaders, God's presence and lordship were still visible. He was leading.
Vs. 8-9 Notice the actions of v. 8, answering, forgiving and avenging.
The Lord is the King who is exalted and holy and to be loved and honored.
Proverbs 26:17
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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