October 17th One Year Bible Readings

Jeremiah 30:1-31:26 ~ 1 Timothy 2:1-15 ~ Psalm 87:1-7 ~ Proverbs 25:18-19
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Old Testament - Wow. These two chapters in Jeremiah today are the most hopeful we've read yet in the book of Jeremiah! These chapters give so much joy to my heart to read them, as the promises of deliverance and hope of restoration are given by God!  In Jeremiah chapter 31 verses 15 through 17 today we read - "This is what the LORD says: "A cry of anguish is heard in Ramah--mourning and weeping unrestrained. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted--for her children are dead." But now the LORD says, "Do not weep any longer, for I will reward you. Your children will come back to you from the distant land of the enemy. There is hope for your future," says the LORD. "Your children will come again to their own land."

Did you notice verse 15 above is also in the New Testament?  It is quoted in Matthew chapter 2 verse 18 based on Herod's orders to murder all of the male infants being a fulfillment of this verse.  Here's verses 16 through 18 in Matthew chapter 2:  "When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."  I almost hesitate to share this image below of the slaughter of "The Holy Innocents" by the Florentine painter and architect Giotto di Bondone from the year 1304, but I think this artwork does capture the full weight of the tragedy of Herod's orders and the horrible manner in which this verse in Jeremiah was fulfilled:

Jeremiah 31:18 gives a great example of the true relationship we can have with God - "I have heard Israel saying, `You disciplined me severely, but I deserved it. I was like a calf that needed to be trained for the yoke and plow. Turn me again to you and restore me, for you alone are the Lord my God." Israel was finally beginning to repent and return to God. I know the word "discipline" can maybe be a tough one for us - we've probably all experienced some unjust discipline. I pray that you can see that God's discipline for us is ultimately very loving - training us, turning us, restoring us. If you feel that God is disciplining you in your life right now, will you let him? So that he can train you, turn you, restore you?

I love the last verse in Jeremiah's readings today! 31:26 - "At this, I woke up and looked around. My sleep had been very sweet." Very sweet readings in Jeremiah today indeed!  When is the last time you've had sweet sleep?  Do you think sweet sleep is a gift from God?  Speaking of sweet sleep, please take a few minutes to read an AWESOME article by author Lauren Winner about what I call the spiritual discipline of sleep!  The article is titled "Sleep Therapy" and you can read it at this link.  Think this kitten below is having some sweet sleep?  :)

New Testament - 1 Timothy 2 starts of with yet another reminder to pray for others... I love and need this type of reminder in verses 1 and 2... often! "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity." This is powerful. Pray for all people. Make requests for them. Plead God's mercy upon them. Give thanks. Pray for those leading our government. I think these verses are very appropriate during a time of local and national elections coming up. Pray for all of the candidates. Make requests for them. Plead God's mercy upon them. Give thanks.  Pray.

The other thing these opening two verses remind me of is to "Pray the News." I think often times we read about all of the bad news in the world and maybe feel a bit helpless or hopeless in the midst of it all. However, I strongly believe that God has blessed us with the ability to "Pray the News." Pray for earthquake victims, the people starving and dying in other parts of the world, the person who was in a car crash in your town, etc. etc. Pray for them. Make requests for them. Plead God's mercy upon them. Give thanks.  Will you join me in "Praying the News" each day?

I realize that Paul's instructions for women in today's readings can be controversial.  This is one of those days that if you have the Tyndale Publishers One Year Bible Companion to please read the 3 questions & answers for today.  All 3 relate to these instructions of Paul's.  Basically, the instructions for women in today's readings can either be interpreted as being: 1. historically conditioned - instructions just for the women of the church in Ephesus at that time and place or 2. universal and timeless instructions.  Honestly, different Christian denominations interpret these verses different ways - but probably along one of the two lines above for the most part.  The One Year Bible Companion does a great job of going down these 2 paths, with some detail placed on why the instructions could be being historically conditioned because of the Ephesian church having a unique case of prevalent false teachings.  Overall, know that Paul did not forbid women from ever teaching or being active in church life.  Priscilla taught Apollos, a great preacher from Acts.  Phoebe worked in the church (see Romans 16:1).  Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Eudia and Syntyche were all women who were the Lord's workers in the New Testament as well (see Romans 16:6, 12 and Philippians 4:2). If you want to dive into further study on 1 Timothy 2:15 today: "But women will be saved through childbearing..." please check out an in depth look at this verse on bible.org at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 87 is a celebration of Jerusalem as the City of God, as we read in verse 3 - "O city of God, what glorious things are said of you!"  As we continue to read through the One Year Bible this year it is amazing to reflect upon how much focus there is on Jerusalem as the city of God.  Truly, so many of the Psalms glorify Jerusalem, often as a foreshadowing of the Heavenly City of God.  Indeed, as this verse suggests, many glorious things are said of Jerusalem in the Bible!

Proverbs - Proverbs 25:18 today teaches us of the danger of spreading lies about others!  This indeed can indeed be "as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow." How are you doing in your life today of not engaging in telling lies about others?  Do you see how this can be as harmful as hitting someone with an ax?

Pray the News:  Okay, here's the spot on the blog where I typically post up a five minute video from a contemporary Christian artist.  Well, today I hope you don't mind me doing something a lot different, which relates to the Pray the News comments above.  I actually just today came across the entire documentary for "Invisible Children" online, which was posted up by the documentary makers.  This is an incredibly powerful 55 minute documentary recorded in 2003 about the child abductions / child soldiers in Northern Uganda.  I highly encourage you to watch this documentary if you haven't yet!!  A brief overview of the documentary is: "In the spring of 2003, three young Americans traveled to Africa in search of a story. What they found was a tragedy that disgusted and inspired them. A story where children are weapons and children are the victims. The "Invisible Children: rough cut" film exposes the effects of a 20 year-long war on the children of Northern Uganda. These children live in fear of abduction by rebel soldiers, and are being forced to fight as a part of violent army. See this film, you will be forever changed." There have been some improvements to the situation since 2003.  Learn the latest on the Invisible Children's website: http://www.invisiblechildren.com/  (Even with a high speed connection, give this video about 30 seconds to get going once you click play.  Once it gets going it should be fine.  If not, click on the "Google Video" link in the lower right hand corner and you can watch it directly on the Google site.) Note that the first 10 minutes of the documentary can be a bit slow or silly with the guys, but it really picks up the pace and the story at 10 minutes!

Please join me in memorizing a verse of Scripture today:
"I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow."  Jeremiah 31:13 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

Comments

[L]

The teaching in 1 Timothy 2:1-15 is helpful and controversial at the same time. Who of us wouldn't say that praying for the world and praying with uplifted hands without anger wouldn't be good practices? But then if we are to take the whole passage literally we can't dance around the section that tells women to learn with quietness and submission, etc.
However, as my wise wife has pointed out, if we are to read all of this section literally without an understanding of the cultural context, then based on Paul's teaching in 1 Timothy 3:1-11 about elders, neither Jesus or Paul would qualify to be 'elders' since neither one were the 'husbands of one wife'. This just goes to show me that it's fair to hold a view, but to respect those who have a different insight. I don't have an answer to offer except that every faith community needs to reflect hard on these verses and come to a mutually beneficial understanding that is laid out by gifted, wise, Spirit filled teachers.

I find Paul's universal teaching in Gal 3:28 instructive--there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither male or female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus." Paul's blessing of believers, especially women's contributions to the ministry in Romans 16 speak so well of his love for women in the service of God.

[John]

Jeremiah 30-31: Restoration of Israel

"The days are coming.." Could be talking about the return from Babylon, but there is quite a bit here to indicate it is something not yet fulfilled.
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Jer30:6 "Ask and see:
Can a man bear children?
Then why do I see every strong man
with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor,
every face turned deathly pale?" NIV

References to "birth pains" occurs seven times in the Book of Jeremiah. When asked of His return and the end of the (age, world, or time) - Jesus replied -
Matt24:8 "All these are the beginning of birth pains." NIV

Prophecy people usually talk about the increasing rate and intensity of pains erupting in the "Great Tribulation". It also may be that the resulting "birth" will not only be a time of travail - but the second birth - the Second Coming.
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Jer30:7 "How awful that day will be!
None will be like it.
It will be a time of trouble for Jacob,
but he will be saved out of it." NIV

If it is true that the labor pains are a reference to Great Tribulation - how awful and unique it will be.

Jesus said: Matt24:21 "For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again."

Dan12:1 "...There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then...."

This Jeremiah verse makes me think the tribulation is for Israel (Jacob), and the remnant will be saved out of this time.
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Jer30:9 "Instead, they will serve the LORD their God
and David their king,
whom I will raise up for them."

Some interpret David as the Davidic line, but it may be simpler than that. David means "beloved". It may be 'Beloved their king whom I will (bring on the scene) establish for them'. "Beloved" of God is Christ.

Jer30:10b " 'I will surely save you out of a distant place,
your descendants from the land of their exile.
Jacob will again have peace and security,
and no one will make him afraid." NIV

This certainly did not happen after the Babylonian exile as we know from Nehemiah and later with Roman occupation. Israel has not been at peace since the time of Jeremiah.

As has been noted before God is going to punish Israel, but they will not be destroyed. They are wounded, and...
Jer30:14a "All your allies have forgotten you;
they care nothing for you."NIV

But God will heal them, restore them, rebuild them, and repopulate them. This may apply to the Babylonian exile, but it would be interesting to think of it in "days to come" terms. All allies forgetting her in regards to the U.S. One more troop deployment into Lebanon and Syria and I can see with the bad PR even the US turning a back to Israel.

Jer30:20a "Their children will be as in days of old,
and their community will be established before me;
I will punish all who oppress them.

[Again makes me think this is future event(s)]
======================================================
Jer30:21 "Their leader will be one of their own;
their ruler will arise from among them.
I will bring him near and he will come close to me,
for who is he who will devote himself
to be close to me?'
declares the LORD.

Interesting reference to ruler, king, as one of their own coming from their midst - you can take it to be Christ. But who is allowed to be close to God, to draw near to Him? The Priests. So it is a leader who can be King and (High) Priest. Human kings were forbidden to mix the two duties by God in the OT. A couple were punished for violating that ordinance. Only Christ can be a King and High Priest. Supports the idea that this is "time to come" (future).
======================================================
Jer30:24 "The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back
until he fully accomplishes
the purposes of his heart.
In days to come
you will understand this."

I believe this purpose is that the Great Tribulation (time of Great travail)is to put Israel in a situation where they are broken and will repent - regardless, it will be understood in the future.

[John]

Jeremiah 31

More prophecy but with a geographical or historical bent

Jer31:5a "Again you will plant vineyards
on the hills of Samaria;"

Samaria is now part of the West bank. Israelis had a booming fruit/vineyard business there, but have left their groves/vineyards with the recent withdrawls.
http://www.palestinefacts.org/pf_early_palestine_judea_samaria.php

Jer31:8 "See, I will bring them from the land of the north
and gather them from the ends of the earth.
Among them will be the blind and the lame,
expectant mothers and women in labor;
a great throng will return." NIV

Babylon is to the southeast(?), this is probably talking to the 1948 return to Israel and the subsequent and future years flow of immigrants back to Israel.
======================================================
Jer31: This is what the LORD says:
"A voice is heard in Ramah,
mourning and great weeping,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because her children are no more."

As Mike pointed out this verse is cited in Matt2:18. Rachel was the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Rachel died after giving birth to Benjamin in Ramah(actually on the way back to Bethlehem?). Ramah is 10 miles from Bethlehem in the territory of Benjamin. It is also close to the border of Ephraim (one of Joseph's sons).

In Jeremiah's time Ramah was probably the staging area of assembling the Jews that were going to Babylon. Rachel would be crying over her children (people of tribe of Benjamin, Ephraim, and Israle's other tribes)being taken away.

Rachel's tomb is in Bethlehem. The association between Ramah, Bethlehem and Rachel is strong. Her crying for the killing of innocents (of her people) is applied by Matthew.

But what ties it together? Matthew is pointing out that Israel is under severe bondage at that time, just as in the Exile period. That just as Babylonian exile did not end the Davidic line - neither did Herod. Time and time again, God's promise of deliverance has managed to escape every murderous design of a hostile world.
======================================================
Jer31:18-19 I have surely heard Ephraim's moaning:
'You disciplined me like an unruly calf,
and I have been disciplined.
Restore me, and I will return,
because you are the LORD my God.

After I strayed,
I repented;
after I came to understand,
I beat my breast.
I was ashamed and humiliated
because I bore the disgrace of my youth.'NIV

Ephraim was the first of Joseph's sons to be blessed by Jacob. Ephraim got prime land and the tabernacle was set up there. (Shilo is in Ephraim). Ephraim had great influence in early Israel.

When the power was centered later in Jerusalem (Judah) and the temple set up in the city. The influence of Ephraim waned, and there was tension and unrest between the two tribes. The discipline probably refers to being carted off by the Assyrians with the rest of the Northern tribes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribe_of_Ephraim

I think Ephraim here is generic to the tribe, and in the days to come when God's plan is understood (Salvation through Christ) - there is repentance, turning to God and calling for the Messiah. I think God is saying there was a time of difficulty between the northern tribe and God - but He yearns for Ephraim after the tribal repenting.
======================================================
Jer31:22 "How long will you wander,
O unfaithful daughter?
The LORD will create a new thing on earth—
a woman will surround a man." NIV

I get the "unfaithful daughter is Israel. But the next part has everyone confused - and without a good interpretation.

Some say it is talking about the Virgin Birth as 'a woman envelopes God'. (Hebrew word for "man" is used in Isaiah as an oblique reference to God.)

The other view is it is Israel seeking or going after God in the end times, new because in Israel's case they were usually sought by God????

Could be either one. Chuck Missler has come up with an interesting theory. It is off the wall but worth mentioning. Although it is said there is no mention of the 'Church' in the OT - this actually might be one.

Created - Hb. "bara" is the same word used in the Genesis Creation - 'something from nothing'

So God will be bringing into creation a new thing on earth -

a woman (who will be the Bride of Christ - Church) seeking or going after God. Foretelling the time of Paul and forward. While the woman is seeking - the creation of the event is by God.

It probably is a stretch and not true - but you may get a rise out of people in your church if you bring this up :)

[John]

1Tim2

1Tim2:1-2 "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

A good example of the same concept as Jeremiah's letter in Jer29.

1Tim2:5 "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus"

mediator - Gk. "mesites: one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship, or form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant.

In the Old Testament the prophets were God's mediator to man. While the High Priest (one man)was man's mediator to God. There is a new covenant but there is still one High Priest - Jesus Christ. He is the only intercessionary force availabe to man.

Heb8:6 "But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises." NIV

Rom8:34 "Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." NIV

I did a word study on prayer, and found in the bible Prayer was to be offered to God. If praying for intercession to God - it must come through Christ (praying to God in the name of Jesus). I can not find one instance in the New Testament where it is taught to pray to someone else and have that person go to Jesus who will then mediate with God - it is not there.

Praying for intercession to anyone else in heaven is not going to do any good - hearing prayer and interceding with God is not their job.

Look, I understand this is difficult for some people to accept. I have quite a few friends who struggle with this idea - it is not what they were taught in their faith. My post has as little of my personal opinion as possible - it is based on Scripture.

For those who struggle with this teaching: What I would suggest is you yourself come to terms with - is this really what the Bible is saying?

If you decide it is not, feel free to ignore me. If so, are you going to accept this teaching?
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NOTE:You can type in "prayer" here and pull up all the verses in Bible.
http://www.blueletterbible.org/

[R]

Jeremiah 30-31:26

There is a difference between being “happy” and having “joy.” Happiness is based on circumstances, but Joy is knowing the final outcome. God didn’t promise us “happy;” however, He did promise us Joy. I believe for one to trust in the Lord the vision of the immediate must be exchanged for sight that sees the future. In chapters 30 and 31, we see Israel’s “current” state against her future, her final outcome. Knowing our glorious outcome as Believers in the midst of trials and pain, should cause us, like Jeremiah to wake up from a “Sweet” sleep.

I Timothy 2:1-15

I’m going to throw a little fire into an already controversial passage. When Paul wrote this in his letter,

13 For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. 14 And it was the woman, not Adam, who was deceived by Satan, and sin was the result.

What really happened to Adam back there in the garden? If Eve was deceived and Adam was not, then did Adam deliberately violate a command of God? To me it seems that it wasn’t until “both” ate, Eve by deception and Adam by deliberate choice, possibly, that they were put out of the garden. What would have happened if Eve had ate and when she offered it to Adam, who was probably right there observing the entire conversation with the snake (Anybody ever wonder why Eve wasn’t shocked that the snake was talking to her? Could they have been “talk’en to the animals” long before Dr. Doolittle.

[Diana]

Jeremiah 31:22
For the LORD has created a new thing in the earth—
A woman shall encompass a man.”

[margo]

Jer 30:17
But I will restore you health and heal your wounds
declares the lord
because you have been called outcast.

I thought this was awesome because I have spent most of my life an outcast and it well spoke to me. Also I know alot of teens who consider themselves outcast s so it's a cool little verse

[Dimong]

resilience...wow... and we make a big fuss about small problems we encounter in our daily lives... i guess we here in america are spoiled... thanks for sharing that video