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OCTOBER 3
Hang
on to your hat. In some respects Isaiah and Jeremiah are comparable to Elijah
and Elisha. Elijah and Elisha were called upon to try to save the northern
kingdom. When Elijah's ministry was rejected by the majority of the people,
Elisha was called to accompany them into their judgment. Isaiah was used to warn
the people of Judah of the coming judgment and he gave the people hope that
there would be redemption and blessing if they followed the Lord. The people
and leaders rejected that message. Now Jeremiah will be used by God to confront
and appeal to anybody who would hear as Judah enters their judgment and exile.
Jeremiah
1-2:30
Jeremiah
1
This
is the calling of Jeremiah, probably as a teen during the reign of Josiah.
Vs.
1-3 This introductory info is very interesting. Jeremiah's dad has the same
name as the high priest under Josiah. Since Jeremiah isn't mentioned as the son
of a high priest, and since Jeremiah's family of priests had been excluded from
the office of high priest because of Eli back in 1 Samuel, it is thought that
Jeremiah's father had the same name but wasn't the high priest. Yet, they would
have been living at the same time. I only mention this, because it is still
possible that Jeremiah's dad had been the high priest. Hilkiah was the one who
found the only existent copy of the books of Moses. Jeremiah was from Anathoth,
a city of priests three miles from Jerusalem. This is where Solomon had sent
Abiathar, the priest, into exile (you remember, right?).
The
Word of the Lord came to him and sounds like the calling of Samuel and Isaiah.
This happened in the 13th year of Josiah, meaning that the only existent copy
of the Bible, the law, had not yet been found. That would happen in the 18th
year of Josiah. Since Josiah became king when he was eight, it could be that
Jeremiah and Josiah were about the same age.
Jeremiah's
ministry continued well beyond King Zedekiah and the fall of Jerusalem; in
fact, Jeremiah might have been the writer who finished 2 Kings, recording
events that happened 30 years after the destruction of Jerusalem. Jeremiah was
there when Jerusalem was destroyed and Judah was taken fully into exile.
Jeremiah was the prophet who recorded the dark days of Jerusalem.
Also,
just for trivia, Jeremiah would have been alive during the days of Ezekiel and
Daniel, Jeremiah being the senior of these three prophets. Jeremiah might have
known Ezekiel before Ezekiel was taken into exile, but he never knew him as the
wild and weird prophet he became in Babylon. Although it is wildly speculative,
it could be that Jeremiah might possibly have met Daniel. Interestingly, when
Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem, he specifically sought out Jeremiah and
allowed him to go free. I think Daniel might have had something to do with
that. Since Daniel was an important advisor to Neb, you can safely assume
Daniel was giving Nebuchadnezzar important information regarding how to deal
with Jerusalem and its people.
Vs.
4-8 So, what do you get out of this?
V.
5 You have to wonder how Jeremiah was a
prophet to the nations. Did any of the nations know what God said through
him? Later, we'll see that Daniel had a copy of Jeremiah, so it is likely that
both Nebuchadnezzar and Darius might have heard some of what God said through
him.
V.
8 God promised to deliver Jeremiah here, and later God says this even stronger.
Jeremiah eventually, I think, got the idea he was untouchable, until he got his
first punch in the mouth. We'll read later what Jeremiah thought of that. In
the end, we'll see that except for a couple of humiliating and dangerous
situations, Jeremiah did indeed outlive all of his adversaries. So, God did
protect him.
Vs.
9-10 This is the second prophet who had his mouth touched. It is cool that God
Himself touched Jeremiah.
I
would say that being set over the
nations means that God will give him the authority to speak God's words of
judgment against them.
Vs.
11-19 This is Jeremiah's operational check to make sure he "worked."
Vs.
11-12 The almond tree's name sounds like the word for seeing. Also, it was the first tree to bud, so it was watched by
people to determine the time of the season. God would watch over His Word to
make sure it was fulfilled.
Vs.
13-14 The pot was from the north pouring out toward the south, which would be
God's wrath and Babylon pouring toward Judah and Jerusalem. Remember, all of
the great threats against Jerusalem came out of the north. Even though Babylon
and Persia were east, they couldn't come over the desert and so had to go north
along the rivers and then move south toward Israel.
V.
17 It says, dress yourself for work,
but the note says "gird up your loins," which also meant to get ready
for a fight or for action. God told Job twice to gird up his loins. Jeremiah was
about to have a very action-packed life, sometimes fighting for his life.
Vs.
18-19 Jeremiah was untouchable for a time, and in the end, he survived all of
the hate and destruction.
Jeremiah
2
There
is no way to know exactly when this was written. If it was before Josiah found
the Book of the Law, then this may have helped lead to his reforms. Verse 16
could mean the death of Josiah, in which case, this would have been shortly
after that event.
Vs.
1-3 This is what Israel was, probably just before they entered the land after
the older, rebellious generation had died off.
Vs.
4-8 This is the sin of the nation after entering the land, led by three groups
of leaders. What was the purpose of each group? It sums up total loss and
corruption in a culture.
Vs.
9-13 No nation ever leaves their gods, but Israel did. Why doesn't a nation
leave their gods? I think it is because those gods are dead and are really
controlled by the people. A living God is much harder to live with.
Their
crime is described in v. 13 as having two parts. Do you see the difference in
those two actions, yet how they fit together? It is the same today. Going to
God means depending on God. If you have your own source other than God, you can
avoid Him. Living water was superior to stagnant water that sat in a cistern.
Vs.
14-19 Judah had gone to Egypt and Assyria for help rather than going to God, as
if they were slaves looking for help from their master.
V.
16 could mean the death of Josiah, either before or after it happened. Or it
could mean that every time they went to Egypt they kept having to pay money for
no real help, consequently getting scalped.
Vs.
20-22 Although God freed them from Egypt, they willingly became slaves of
idols. This is one of those places where God is using Israel to show us what
mankind is really like even with the truth, but without a spiritual rebirth.
The sin within us is too strong and defies truth, logic and reality. The
sickness is spiritual and it needs a spiritual cure. And God is the only
doctor. Even after receiving the "cure," we need to stay in the Word
daily and follow Him daily. The full cure comes when we step into a new body.
Vs.
23-25 Their zeal for idols was like an animal in heat. Verse 25 says it was all
for the sake of comfort and appetite.
Vs.
26-28 They have been caught by God and He will make them feel shame.
Vs.
29-30 They complained against God, yet as God punished them, they didn't turn
to Him, but instead kept devouring one another.
I
was reminded of Jesus' word regarding the stress of the Tribulation in Matthew
24:12, And because lawlessness will be
increased, the love of many will
grow cold. When things get worse for people as God's judgment
approaches, it will reveal what is truly in people's hearts. Now is a good time
for us to be working in the harvest.
Philippians
4
V.
1 Stand firm how? From what Paul has
just said, what makes them stand firm?
If it has to do with 3:17, then it really goes all the way back to 3:7 and
everything thereafter. Jesus will be at the center of this stand.
Vs.
2-3 Sometimes you just need a wise mediator, even among seasoned disciples.
Paul knew that these women would have a hard time working this out alone. Some
malfunctions are like that. I have been in situations where I needed and lacked
a wise mediator.
Vs.
4-7 Notice that the rejoicing and the forbearance are linked to knowing, really
knowing, that the Lord is present. The Lord is not at hand as in His imminent return; but like we saw in Job, He is
present in everything in our lives, working for His glory and purpose. That
gives us stability and hope, if we truly know and acknowledge it.
Notice
that the peace…which surpasses all
understanding is linked to that "knowing" and also to a life
where everything is always, constantly, being brought before God. We often tend
to use vs. 6 & 7 like a rabbit's foot. We get in trouble and then rub it
for good luck. This peace is for those who are always coming to God, not just
when they are in trouble.
Vs.
8-9 Finally Paul got back to the finally from 3:1.
So,
what do you do when you are surrounded by stress and persecution? Paul says to
think on good stuff and to do what Paul has taught them. Using Psalm 119 as a
guide, I would also say that memorizing Scripture is a good idea. Also, using
Psalm 42 as a guide, I would say recounting times of God's past blessing and
kindness helps too.
Vs.
10-20 There are some good things in this section. Verse 13 is one of those
gems.
V.
17 Paul, like any maker of disciples, was looking for the life of Christ coming
out through the lives of the Philippians. Life in knowing Jesus is seen in
expressing Christ's love.
Vs.
19-20 Great verses.
Vs.
21-22 While Paul was in jail, he was often attended by guards. Sometimes he was
chained between two of them. As Howard Hendricks observed, if Paul was chained
to them, that means they were chained to him. Imagine the assignment of sitting
next to this distressing individual for four-hour stretches. That would give
Paul more than enough time to share the Four Laws, twice.
And
now Paul says that there were believers all over Caesar's household. That's what you call a "chain
reaction."
There
is such a contrast in the readings today. In the OT we have the judgment
against Israel, and in the NT we have a sense of the Philippians working hard
in the harvest in spite of their challenges. But there is one thing that links
both readings: A servant was called to faithfully proclaim the Word in this
present darkness. As disciples we are called to be light, but at times the
darkness seems so strong. But it isn't we who are supposed to shine; it is
Jesus, and in us, as we follow Him in the harvest, praising Him, reaching out,
making disciples. He is stronger. You might want to listen to “Stronger,” by
Hillsong Chapel.
Psalm
75
Judging by what we read in Psalm 73,
and now see here, Asaph had a hard time looking at the evil and proud people
around him, wondering why they prospered. The focus here seems to be how the
righteous are to keep their hearts from being consumed with the unfairness they
see around them. As Paul said to the Romans in Romans 12:19, "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but
leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will
repay, says the Lord.'"
V. 1 This is what Asaph learned in the
trials, to look to the Lord's deeds and to praise God.
Vs. 2-3 His judgment will be to the
entire earth.
Vs. 4-5 And the judgment will extend to
every individual.
Vs. 6-8 And Asaph learned not to occupy
himself with God's judgment, because it is God who will judge in the measure
that He sees fit.
Vs. 9-10 Those who fear the Lord and
follow Him will declare God's praise forever. The proud and all who rebel
against God and resist Him will get their horns cut off; that is, they will be
humbled as they are judged.
God uses wickedness and evil and
injustice for His purposes, so they won't be going away anytime soon. As
disciples, we need to learn how to live with these in the grace of God. We keep
our eyes on the Lord, praise Him and follow our Lord in the harvest.
Proverbs
24:17-20
This
is good advice considering what we just read in Psalm 75. Add to that what
Jesus tells His disciples that they should love their enemies and do good to
those who hate them, and you have the complete picture. God allows us to be in
situations where we can fret so that we can grow. We have to take what we know
is true and make it a part of our hearts in following the Word and the Spirit.
When presented with the opportunity, we are to do good for these people. It
gives them an opportunity to seek help or repent. If nothing else, it heaps
burning coals upon their heads and messes with their minds. J
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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