TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Jeremiah 44:24-47:7
2 Timothy 2:22-3:17
Psalm 94:1-23
Proverbs 26:6-8
Jeremiah 44:27 — As we read in Isaiah 42:8, the LORD (not just a generic god, but Yahweh [“I AM THAT I AM”]) will not share His glory with another. There is no other Savior (Isaiah 43:11). There are no other gods allowed (Exodus 20:3), and no other worship allowed (Exodus 34:14). If His people will forsake Him for the “queen of heaven,” He will punish them with the sword and famine.
Jeremiah 45:3 — This chapter was written before the final conquest. Baruch had been a faithful assistant to the unpopular prophet. Note that Baruch is given the same blessing as Ebedmelech – protection of his life. No, Baruch would not be able to time the Judaean stock market and profit off of his connection with the prophet. Baruch’s noble family and friends would lose their position and power, and they would be carried away in chains to Babylon. No, the political message of Jeremiah/Baruch in 602 BC was not “Make Israel Great Again.” Their political message was “Too Late.” May we repent in our nation and seek God before it is too late!
Jeremiah 46:27 — In spite of all this judgment, God is still not done with Israel!
Jeremiah 47:2 — We are in the “judgment” section of Jeremiah. Instead of skimming through these passages because “God isn’t talking to me” or “this doesn’t seem relevant,” let’s look at how God speaks.
As we discussed in the Psalms, the language is more poetical (notice the “thought rhyme” or parallelism) – the author uses two different ways of saying the same thing to create a 3D view of the issue.
- “waters rise up” / “overflowing flood”
- “the land and all that is therein” / “the city and them that dwell therein”
- “men shall cry” / “inhabitants shall howl”
Sometimes God gives just an 8-word message of judgment (Jonah 3:4), and at other times He uses 196 words to describe His judgment on the Philistines.
2 Timothy 2:25 — Meekness is one of the most underutilized characteristics of a godly pastor. How many pastors have seen their counseling unsuccessful because they came not in a spirit of meekness but appeared self-righteous? How many churches have been split in two because of a pastor that could no longer be described as meek? How many pastors have ended up in jail after they departed far from meekness? Pray for your pastor that he can continue in meekness. Pray that you can minister in meekness and not hinder the Gospel.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 — Are we in the last days? Looks like a pretty good description of today’s society.
2 Timothy 3:10 — Paul keeps emphasizing doctrine, sound words (2 Timothy 1:13), “the things” (2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Timothy 3:14), “profitable for doctrine” (2 Timothy 3:16); in contrast to “foolish and unlearned questions” (2 Timothy 2:23), “words to no profit” (2 Timothy 2:14), and “profane and vain babblings” (2 Timothy 2:16).
2 Timothy 3:12 — When’s the last time you suffered persecution?
2 Timothy 3:17 — The Anglican spelling of this verse is “throughly furnished,” emphasizing the idea that you are built inside and outside by God.
Proverbs 26:6 — More contrasts of the failings of a fool.
On September 13th, 1862, Union soldiers found a copy of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s orders detailing the Confederates’ plan for the Antietam campaign near Frederick, Maryland. But Union General George B. McClellan was slow to act, and the advantage the intelligence provided was lost.” McClellan was fired less than two months later, and replaced with Ambrose Burnside.
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