Jeremiah 22:1-23:20 ~ 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 ~ Psalm 83:1-18 ~ Proverbs 25:11-14
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Old Testament - Today in Jeremiah we read about one of the last Old Testament era kings to sit on the throne of David in Judah! This was King Jehoiachin and God makes it clear that this is one of Judah's last Davidic kings (with Zedekiah being governor/king of Judah briefly subsequently) in chapter 22 verse 30: "This is what the Lord says: ‘Let the record show that this man Jehoiachin was childless. He is a failure, for none of his children will succeed him on the throne of David to rule over Judah.’" Immediately after reading about this king of Judah, Jeremiah 23:1-8 gives us a great Messianic foreshadowing of Jesus, the true and eternal Davidic king! Verses 5 & 6: "For the time is coming," says the Lord, "when I will place a righteous Branch on King David's throne. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. And this is his name: `The Lord Is Our Righteousness.' In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety." Great stuff! A righteous branch on King David's throne.... rules with wisdom... will do what is just and right throughout the land... Think this is Jesus??
The remaining verses in Jeremiah 23 go after false prophets. I know in reading Jeremiah I've been pondering how hard it would be to be Jeremiah, a prophet with some tough messages. Well, in this chapter it looks like being a false prophet is really the wrong way to live. If you're gonna be a prophet, make sure you're prophesying the truth... :) Do you think there are any false prophets in our world today? Do you avoid listening to the teachings of false prophets in our world today? (other than if you need to listen to what they say to repudiate it) Can we sometimes even be false prophets to our own selves and others on occasion? Who can free us from the lies of false prophets? (see the image above - not the modern day false prophets image below...)
Other verses that stood out at me today included Jeremiah 22:15-16 - "But a beautiful palace does not make a great king! Why did your father, Josiah, reign so long? Because he was just and right in all his dealings. That is why God blessed him. He made sure that justice and help were given to the poor and needy, and everything went well for him. Isn't that what it means to know me?" "Isn't that what it means to know me?" Justice and help were given to the poor and needy, and everything went well for him! Is that what it means to know God? Do you know God in this way? Below is a great image for Jeremiah 22:29 from today's readings:
New Testament - Today we begin Paul's second letter to the church in Thessalonica!
~ Second Thessalonians ~
Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Corinth
Date: A.D. 51
Content: Either Paul’s first letter or a forged letter purporting to be from him had disturbed the Thessalonians concerning the second coming of Jesus. Perhaps adding to the confusion was the continued persecution that they were enduring. Paul writes to assure the believers that Jesus will certainly return to comfort the believers and to punish those who are troubling them. He also tells them that the great Day of Judgment (the Day of the Lord) will not take them by surprise but will be preceded by a series of events. In the light of Jesus’ sure return, Christians are to live above reproach.
Theme: Throughout this short letter the promise of God’s victory over evil is stressed. Believers may suffer now, but God has planned comfort and reward for them. For those who refuse to obey God, however, there will be distress and judgment. Paul also stresses the need for living in such a way that God is honored. Some people at Thessalonica may have stopped working because they believed Christ would return soon. This does not honor God and Paul says concerning it, “He who does not work shall not eat.” (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 28-29) A wonderful commentary on Second Thessalonians by J. Hampton Keathley, III, titled “The Struggles and Growth of a Church” is at this link.
Paul's encouragement during times of persecution is powerful in chapter 1 verse 5 today: "But God will use this persecution to show his justice. For he will make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering." If there is persecution in your life today, I hope this verse is encouraging to you. It reminds me of the old adage - "it builds character." I know this is tough to realize in the midst of persecution - that God is working in the midst of it to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom. Your suffering is for His Kingdom. You are not suffering alone.
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Second Thessalonians chapter 1 titled "Commendation and Comfort in the Face of Persecution" is at this link. Below is a great image for 2 Thessalonians 1:12 from today's readings:
Psalms - Ever feel like the Psalmist in Psalm 83 verse 1 - "O God, don't sit idly by, silent and inactive!" I think the beauty of the Psalms is seeing some of our human emotions expressed so well. Considering this verse - I don't think that God is ever sitting idly by, silent or inactive. I believe God is a Living God who is always with us. But, perhaps sometimes God's perceived silence in our lives is for a purpose that we may not fully understand now, but will later. If God seems very "silent" to you now, I would encourage you to pray to God - and really listen in your prayers - don't just speak. I believe you'll soon hear Him...
Proverbs - The 4 verses in Proverbs today are all spot on. How about the last one today in 25:14: "A person who doesn't give a promised gift is like clouds and wind that don't bring rain." Don't be that person! Make sure you give promised gifts. And how about giving unexpected gifts? Gifts for no particular reason? When is the last time you surprised someone with a gift out of the blue? Below is a great image for Proverbs 25:13 from today's readings:
Worship God: It's been, oh, about 3 days since I've posted up a Casting Crowns video - much too long! :) I definitely love their ministry. Here's the song that started it all for them, "If we are the Body." I was reminded of this song by Jeremiah 22:16 in today's readings (see the memorization verse below). This is definitely a song worthy of launching a ministry with the powerful lyrics: "But if we are the Body, why aren't His arms reaching? Why aren't His hands healing? Why aren't His words teaching? Why is His love not showing them there is a way? There is a way!" Jesus is the Way!
Are you part of the Body? Click here and learn that there is a Way!
Please join me in memorizing a verse of Scripture today:
"He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?" declares the LORD." Jeremiah 22:16 NIV
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy!
Mike
I read in the Bible that Zedekiah was the last King of Judah.
God bless.
Posted by: L | October 12, 2007 at 07:26 PM
Leroy,
Zedekiah was a vessel of and not a truly appointed king of Judah. Yes, he was in the Davidic line but he was not the true Davidic king.
Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD. And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem. Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.
(2Ch 36:9-11)
Posted by: R | October 12, 2007 at 07:26 PM
Mike,
May I add another perspective to your comments regarding the fourteenth verse of Proverb 25? This observation which recently came to light this past year, is not to replace your statement,
“Make sure you give promised gifts. And how about giving unexpected gifts? Gifts for no particular reason? When is the last time you surprised someone with a gift out of the blue?”
If a gift, by definition and from a Biblical View is one given with grace (unmerited favor) through mercy, then giving a “gift” to curry favor, as a disguised bribe or possibly exhortation—kind of “priming-the-pump,” then you have been given the expectation of receiving refreshing rain by creating false clouds. Worse yet, when you are the one giving the invite only because you expect enough gifts to cover the expenses for the event, well this verse is speaking to you/me.
Ouch!!
Nothing worse then getting an invitation requesting your presence but really expecting your presents.
Posted by: R | October 12, 2007 at 07:27 PM
Jeremiah 22
8
People from many nations will pass by the ruins of this city and say to one another, `Why did the LORD destroy such a great city?'
9
And the answer will be, `Because they violated their covenant with the LORD their God by worshiping other gods.' "
21
"When you were prosperous, I warned you, but you replied, `Don't bother me.' Since childhood you have been that way--you simply will not listen!
24
"And as surely as I live," says the LORD, "I will abandon you, Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah. Even if you were the signet ring on my right hand, I would pull you off.
30
This is what the LORD says: Let the record show that this man Jehoiachin was childless, for none of his children will ever sit on the throne of David to rule in Judah. His life will amount to nothing."
NOTE:
Signet Ring: or Seal
Easton's Bible Dictionary, explaining Seal:
“…commonly a ring engraved with some device. SEALING A DOCUMENT WAS EQUIVALENT TO THE SIGNATURE OF THE OWNER OF THE SEAL…Circumcision is a seal, an attestation of the covenant ( Rom 4:11). Believers are sealed with the Spirit, as God's mark put upon them ( Eph 1:13; 4:30).”
A signet ring—the means by which a king, or the Lord of Glory, showed the world that “this is mine; I own this.” By the Lord saying, “This is mine; I own this”, God is taking responsibility to care for what is His. And God, being forever faithful, never fails on His side!
Get this: Jehoiachin was to be an outward seal of God’s promise to fulfill His covenant to Abraham (and to us) that “God will provide a Seed, so that the earth will be blessed through the seed.”
Yet, because of determined hardness of heart and refusal to listen, “…Jehoiachin was childless, for none of his children will ever sit on the throne of David to rule in Judah. His life will amount to nothing."
Read this verse again:
“Even if you were the signet ring on my right hand, I would pull you off.”
Or…even if we are the evidence of God’s Word being true, we will not be blessed if we refuse to be. We will lose, and God will find someone who will “trust and obey”.
GOD GIVES, BUT WE MUST RECEIVE.
THANK GOD!…
That the loving Father Himself bases His covenant on HIS FAITHFULNESS…which is the basis for HIS GRACE.
Jeremiah 23
5
"For the time is coming," says the LORD, "when I will place a righteous Branch on King David's throne. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land.
6
And this is his name: `The LORD Is Our Righteousness.' In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety.”
GOD GIVES, BUT WE MUST RECEIVE.
Vance
Posted by: Vance | October 12, 2007 at 07:27 PM
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
The Thessalonians are undergoing persecution. To what extant is not clear, except they are to be held up as a model to all the other churches - so it is probably pretty severe. To them it is severe enough that they think they are in the tribulation, and have missed the Rapture. Paul addresses that in this letter.
There may have been a forgery or alternate letter that was in conflict with Paul's previous letter. Maybe further muddying the waters regarding Christ's return. Support for this is embedded in the idea that Paul made a big deal of saying he signed this letter with his own hand in 2Thess3.
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2Thess2:3 "We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing." NIV
Paul mentions faith and love, but omits their "patience (steadfastness) in hope (certain expectation) of Jesus' return. I disagree with the commentary of bible.org. Since a main concern of the letter regards Jesus' return, there does seem to be merit in the idea that the Thessalonians are unsure and confused on the issue. Certainly then they are not "steadfast with certain expectation" of Jesus'return. Thus by leaving out praise for their "hope" Paul is not condemning them, but it is left out, because right now the Thessalonians do not have this "certain hope".
As the apostolic father of this church Paul may be concerned that when "hope" goes eventually the faith and love will weaken also - thus the urgency in writing this letter to the church.
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2Thess2:4
"Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring."
1) This is evidence:
"God is revealing by their endurance in suffering that they are worthy of the kingdom of God, having been made worthy by faith in Christ. The fact that they could stand up under pressure was evidence that they had been truly put into the kingdom of the Son of God's love and taken out of the kingdom of darkness and of Satan." - Ray Stedman
2) It reveals the condemnation of the "world". In Hebrews 11:
"Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison....the world was not worthy of them."
You may be nothing in the eyes of the world, but in God's eyes you are SOMEONE.
3) God is just. He will take care of those who afflict you and give you rest (relief).
Over and over in the OT, God says leave vengeance to Him. In the end it will all be taken care of - some may not like that idea - but how could a Just and righteous God operate any other way?
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When will this happen and who will be punished? What will be the punishment?
When Jesus returns (appears) in judgment - this is the Second coming at end of Tribulation - not the Rapture.
Who will be punished?
"He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus." (2Thess2:8)
You can know God, but if you do not believe and receive Jesus - you will be punished. If you do not know God there is no way to fulfill the second condition.
What is the punishment:
"They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power" NIV
Some use this verse to say the punishment will be annihilation. I see how when looking at this verse in isolation - they come up with that view. the problem is the word "destruction" combined with being separated from the Lord.
"destruction" - Gk. "olethros" can also mean "ruin".
So which is it? everlasting destruction (implying annihilation) or everlasting ruin (implying eternal punishment).
To find the truth one should always test Scripture against Scripture.
In Matthew 13:41-42, the disciples explicitly asked for an explanation of the parable. Jesus explicitly answered:
"The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Ok, John, perhaps weeping and gnashing of teeth precede annihilation.
In Matt 25:46, the sheep and goats discourse is not a parable, and in the end Jesus says:
"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
Punishment is Gk."kolasis" meaning "correction, punishment, penalty".
For Scripture to be consistent - concept of annihilation for wicked is not an option.
For other verses citing eternal punishment see the link.
http://www.carm.org/doctrine/hell.htm
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So who is left?
The believers:
"on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you."
Not all those who have "done good things", not all those regardless of their "religious affiliation", but all those who have believed (acknowledged, believed, and trusted) Jesus Christ. That is the lone criteria for salvation - it is said or implied over and over in the Bible. That is why the Bible (unlike other religious tomes) can have large chunks (pages) torn out and the message is still there. The Holy Spirit is consistent in the message and Word of God.
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Paul ends 2Thess1 by describing his prayer for them - note:
"...and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith."
-every good purpose of yours prompted by your faith
-every act prompted by your faith.
In other words, not things rooted in "self" or "pride", but rooted in Christ. Which is as it should be if we abide in Him, and He in us.
These are the things that will be measured in rewards phase of heaven. things rooted in Christ will pass "muster", while acts of self will be discarded as the "wheat and chaff in a fire".
Posted by: John | October 12, 2007 at 07:28 PM
Here's another perspective on today's proverb. This is from the Amplified version of the Bible:
"Whoever falsely boasts of gifts [he does not give] is like clouds and wind without rain."
Posted by: Penny K / NJ | October 13, 2007 at 02:42 AM
Jeremiah 23:1 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:7-8
7 “Therefore, behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “that they shall no longer say, ‘As the LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,’ 8 but, ‘As the LORD lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the north country and from all the countries where I had driven them.’ And they shall dwell in their own land.”
Posted by: Diana | October 13, 2007 at 04:40 AM
Hi,
A teacher of mine once told me he spoke with a Jewish history teacher and they were talking about the Messiah.
My (Christian) teacher asked him how he imagined the Messiah would be, and the Jewish man said he would be this and that... after what my teacher asked him "do you realize that you just described me Jesus ?"
The Jewish teacher answered him : "Yes, with one exception. Jesus fulfills all the prophecies, but that of bring the jews from exiles".
I didn't know which verse he was referring to until today. Now my teacher's reaction of course was to think about it and he came to the conclusion that the "exiles" were not jews to be physically brought back to Israel, but all men and women to be possibly saved by Jesus.
I must say that now that I see the verse, I'm not so convinced by his explanation. Jeremiah 23:8 seems pretty clear to me :
"but they will say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.' Then they will live in their own land."
Do you have any further insight on the topic ?
Posted by: Vincent | October 13, 2008 at 08:43 AM