~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Jeremiah 48:1-49:22 ~ 2 Timothy 4:1-22
Psalm 95:1-96:13 ~ Proverbs 26:9-12
Old Testament - Jeremiah chapter 48 is not a very happy chapter... at first glance it's tough to figure out what is going on here. Why is God so angry at Moab? I think verses 28 - 30 let us in on why - "You people of Moab, flee from your cities and towns! Live in the caves like doves that nest in the clefts of the rocks. We have heard of the pride of Moab, for it is very great. We know of her loftiness, her arrogance, and her haughty heart. I know about her insolence," says the LORD, "but her boasts are false; they accomplish nothing." Sounds like pride and boasting was a major factor here obviously. Along with idol worship as we see in verse 13 - "At last Moab will be ashamed of her idol Chemosh, as Israel was ashamed of her gold calf at Bethel" I do think we see sadness from God in this judgment upon Moab in verse 31 - "Yes, I wail for Moab; my heart is broken for the men of Kir-hareseth." And ultimate redemption in the last verse, 47, of this chapter - "But in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Moab," says the LORD." This chapter may give us the opportunity to pause and reflect on if there are areas in our life where we are boasting? Boasting in prideful ways? Are we arrogant, lofty, displaying a haughty heart toward others?
Chapter 49 does not bring good tidings to the Ammonites or Edomites. Verse 16 again gives us a good look into why this judgment is coming upon Edom - "You are proud that you inspire fear in others. And you are proud because you live in a rock fortress and hide high in the mountains. But don't fool yourselves!" Pride. Again. Pride. Think Pride is something that has been a temptation of humans since our beginning? Think this temptation continues today? Verse 6 does give the hope of redemption for the Ammonites - "But afterward I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites," says the LORD."
New Testament - 2 Timothy chapter 4 verses 3 & 4 give a good warning for each of us today - "For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths." Do we do this? Do we "look for" / "shop around for" teachers that we really like? Teachers that may only tell us what we want to hear? That may not challenge us with truth? That may offer strange myths? (okay, so this animated teacher guy below is probably a solid teacher - I came across a scary image of false teachers with a wolf growling as one image option for below... but I just kind of liked this guy better for some reason today. Wow... here I am shopping around for my teacher! This guy below is probably telling me what I want to hear! :))
In the close of this 2nd letter to Timothy, we are reading some of Paul's final written words. They are amazing. It's great to see some clear human needs in these closing words in verse 13 - "When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers." It's also sad to see how he's been left pretty much alone and abandoned by many. Verse 22 are some beautiful closing words, and it's my prayer for each of you as well - "May the Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all."
Psalms - Psalm 95 verses 4 & 5 remind me of the Chris Tomlin song "Indescribable" - "He owns the depths of the earth, and even the mightiest mountains are his. The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too." Have you heard this song by Chris? Very joyful modern day Psalm! You can get it a snippet of the song's audio on his website by clicking here. Or, the lyrics are here. Great tune... And great Psalms of praise in 95 & 95 today! Bible.org's commentary on Psalm 95 titled "A Warning about Worship" is at this link.
Wow.. Psalm 96 today is amazing! I love verse 1 - "Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!" Is there a new song God is asking you to sing to him these days? Will you sing this new song to God? And I love the imagery in verse 12 - "Let the fields and their crops burst forth with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise."
Proverbs - Today in Proverbs 26:12 we read: “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him” This is an impactful verse for me. It reminds me of the need for true humility in our lives – and realizing where true wisdom comes from in our lives – God. Are we sometimes wise in our own eyes? If so, could this lead to trouble? Do you ever pray to God to keep you humble? Do you joyfully accept being humble in your life at all times? Will you pray to God to give you the strength to remain humble?
What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up in the Comments section below!
Grace,
Mike
Jeremiah 48
25
"The strength of Moab has ended. Her horns have been cut off, and her arms have been broken," says the LORD.
26
"Let her stagger and fall like a drunkard, for she has rebelled against the LORD.
NOTE:
Moab is the land where Ruth lived. She married one of the sons of Elimelech and Naomi, before following her mother-in-law to Bethlehem.
This shows us that God does not HAVE to judge us for our sins if we are like faithful Ruth, who left false gods. She gave herself completely to become part of the people of God and to be one with the True God.
She married Boaz, the Kinsman-Redeemer of Naomi to save her. She not only married Boaz (a Kinsman-Redeemer), but her genealogical line included King David and the Lord Jesus! The Lord Jesus is the ULTIMATE Kinsman-Redeemer; that is, He became our eldest brother to share with us the riches of the Father!
Ruth 4
13
So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son.
14
Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel!
Matthew 1
1
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:
5
Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse,
6
and Jesse begot David the king.
Romans 8 (Amplified)
17
And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory.
According to The New Unger's Bible Dictionary, the word redeemer comes from the Hebrew word goel, which means "the nearest kinsman."
These kinsmen avenged slain relatives, bought back land sold by a relative in distress, and continued a dead relative's bloodline and memory through levirate marriage.
Boaz was the redeemer of Ruth, Naomi, and Ruth's dead husband: not only did he continue the family's bloodline through his marriage to Ruth, but he also rescued the women from their hopelessness and despair.
2 Timothy 4
2
Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
3
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear.
4
They will reject the truth and follow strange myths.
5
But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you.
6
As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God.
17
But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength, that I might preach the Good News in all its fullness for all the Gentiles to hear.
NOTE:
May we have a passion to share the LOVE of Jesus—LOVE instructs us to repent.
Repentance is NOT focused on judgment (as it has been presented to many non-Christians). This would turn me off, if all I heard and knew about what a God who was eager to judge.
Repentance is a message of LOVE. Jesus REDEEMED all of us. But, ALL must receive Him as Savior and Lord to APPLY His redemption to their lives.
According to The New Unger's Bible Dictionary:
In Jesus' death (Hebrews 9:22, 28) God provided the perfect sacrifice--His son's blood--that saves those who accept it.
If you are already a Christian, remember to daily thank our Redeemer for sacrificing his Son.
If you don't belong to Christ, read Romans 6:1-11, 23 for a picture of how you can be saved by Jesus' blood.
Matthew 3 (Amplified)
2
And saying, Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Psalm 95
3
For the LORD is a great God,
the great King above all gods.
Psalm 96
6
Honor and majesty surround him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
NOTE:
My our lives be FULL of the honor and majesty which surround the Lord Jesus—Who is the glory of God (See below).
If strength and beauty are in His sanctuary, MAY OUR LIVES BE THAT SANCTUARY.
Hebrews 1 (Amplified)
2
[But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son,…
3
He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature,…
Vance
Posted by: Vance Brown | October 25, 2005 at 06:20 AM