TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Jeremiah 35:1-36:32
1 Timothy 5:1-25
Psalm 89:14-37
Proverbs 25:25-27
Jeremiah 35:6 — Jonadab the teetotaler! He’s not the first who took a pledge of total abstinence. The Bible doesn’t speak in positive terms of strong drink.
Interestingly, we have met Jonadab the Rechabite before! In 2 Kings 10:15 we met Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet Jehu where they fulfilled God’s command to destroy the line of Ahab (2 Kings 10:17) and all the worshippers of Baal (2 Kings 10:23). Jehonadab was radically faithful to God, and 250 years later his descendants were faithful to their forefather. They refused to assimilate into the apostate culture of the Northern Kingdom. Jonadab’s descendants were blessed for their commitment to separation (Jeremiah 35:19).
Jeremiah 36:4 — Gehazi (2 Kings 5:20) was an assistant to another famous prophet (Elijah), but Gehazi’s closeness to power gave rise to covetousness. Baruch’s prophet was kept in prison. We’ll see God’s Word for Baruch in a few chapters, but Baruch is a model of a faithful servant in the church today. Whether it’s in the nursery or manning the photocopier, we can all help spread God’s Word by being faithful to the task God has called us to.
Jeremiah 36:19 — Interesting look at the palace intrigue. The princes were:
- intrigued by the Word of God (Jeremiah 36:14)
- wanted to hear it again (Jeremiah 36:15)
- convicted by it (Jeremiah 36:16)
- protected the prophet (Jeremiah 36:19)
- unconvicted (Jeremiah 36:24)
- split in their opinion on burning the roll (Jeremiah 36:25)
Jeremiah 36:23 — Jehoiakim was far from the last to try to destroy God’s Word. Watch The Indestructible Book to learn more!
Jeremiah 36:30 — In contrast to the line of Jonadab the Rechabite, we have the line of Jehoiakim. One was a Bedouin living in tents; the other one lived on the throne of David. One was blessed forever, and one was cursed forever.
1 Timothy 5:1 — Relationships within the family of God! Paul is talking to the young pastor, Timothy, about how to relate to his brothers and sisters.
1 Timothy 5:4 — Subsidiarity is the idea that actions should be taken at the lowest level possible. God doesn’t need master planners such as those that caused the Soviet famine. Most often He’s looking for those who excel in local responsibilities, especially the home.
1 Timothy 5:13 — The saying, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop” isn’t found in the Bible, but the principle is clearly communicated. Those that can be productive but aren’t, are often tempted to idleness, and God takes seriously our idleness (Matthew 12:36).
1 Timothy 5:17-18 — It’s okay (especially during October’s Pastor Appreciation Month) to give your pastor a gift card to his favorite restaurant.
1 Timothy 5:23 — Having read about Jonadab, is this the Bible’s version of the 21st Amendment? No … this is more like “take some Robitussin” which can obviously be abused as well. Many a pastor has fallen by going from ingesting “a little wine” to alcoholism due to a misunderstanding and misapplication of this passage. A “little wine” in Paul’s day meant 2.5% alcohol content. Compare this with modern wine which has “more than five times as much alcohol as the diluted wine of the ancient world.”
An interesting modern parallel is CBD (cannabidiol) vs. the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in marijuana. THC is the “active ingredient” in marijuana that creates the “high” (it’s a hallucinogenic that claims to be therapeutic). Normal marijuana is only 1% THC, however, which is offset by the CBD (the non-hallucinogenic part, but also considered therapeutic). In contrast, today’s marijuana is bred to upwards of 30% THC and distilled up to 95% THC. Legitimate medicinal uses of marijuana are available in “pharmaceutical-produced, quality controlled and dose-specific medications containing synthetic THC. Curiously, they have not sold well.” This is a good example of people hijacking a legitimate concern for health and using it to further their passions.
Psalm 89:30 — As we read today, Jehoiakim forsook God’s Law (Jeremiah 36:29-31), and God visited his transgression (Psalm 89:32).
Psalm 89:36 — There is no king from David’s line sitting on a throne in the Knesset, but there is the Son of David sitting on the throne of heaven (Acts 2:30).
Proverbs 25:25 — It’s always exciting to hear missionary reports from a far-away land!
Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.
