Archives for August 2012

TODAY’S READING: EZEKIEL 17-20

 

OVERVIEW:

The parable of the eagles (chapter seventeen); Man’s responsibility for sin (chapter eighteen); God’s lamentation forIsrael’s captivity (chapter nineteen); God refuses inquisition (chapter twenty).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

God instructs Ezekiel to speak a parable to the house ofIsrael(17:1-10).  The first eagle represents Nebuchadnezzar.  He came toJerusalemand took away the kings seed (the twigs) and planted them again inBabylon.  The highest branch of the cedar represents king Jehoiachin, the king ofJudahwho was exiled in 597 B.C. 

 

When Nebuchadnezzar removed Jehoiachin, he replaced him with a native Judean prince, Zedekiah, instead of a foreign ruler.  With the help of Nebuchadnezzar, Zedekiah was surrounded by favorable conditions and prospered in his reign. The hope of Nebuchadnezzar was that thekingdomofJudahwould stay dependent on him. 

 

However, this state of affairs did not continue.  The second eagle representsEgypt, specifically Pharaoh-hophra, to whom Zedekiah looked for help.  The prophet Jeremiah had warned Zedekiah not to make an alliance withEgypt(Jeremiah 37:5-7, 44:30), but Zedekiah ignored the counsel of Jeremiah and made an alliance with them (17:15).  AlthoughEgyptoffered temporary relief from the oppression of Nebuchadnezzar, in the endBabylondefeatedEgyptand put Zedekiah to death.  If Zedekiah had only listened to the prophet Jeremiah he would have been safe.  Oftentimes we find ourselves in trials and temptations.  It is then imperative that we make haste to listen to the voice of God.  God did not want Zedekiah to escape the adversity by making an alliance withEgypt.  If Zedekiah had obeyed Jeremiah he would have been fine.  People often want to escape adversity by refusing to submit to the authority that God allows in their life.  Men will leave churches and quit jobs, wives will!  leave husbands, and children will rebel against parents, all the while justifying their actions by pointing out the ungodliness in the authority that God has allowed in their life. 

 

Ezekiel 17:22-24 records a messianic prophecy.  “One of the highest branches” refers to Christ, who unlike Zedekiah, will overshadow a mighty kingdom.  It is interesting that God says, “I the Lord have spoken and have done it,” referring to the future as history.  God’s Word is certain, whether He is talking about the past or the future. 

 

Chapter eighteen begins with a proverb that serves as a warning to those who want to blame others for their problems.  The children ofIsraelwere blaming their forefathers (who they say had eaten the sour grapes) for the exile (“teeth are set on edge” = bitterness) they were experiencing.  God rejects their blame shifting and evasion of responsibility.  The rest of chapter eighteen teaches a fundamental principle found in Scripture.  Judgment is according to individual faith and obedience.  We each must take responsibility for our own actions and choices.  It is true we can’t always control our circumstances, but we can always control our choices.  The Children of Israel had been offered mercy if they would have repented.  Instead they committed the same sins as their forefathers.  The chapter ends with God remindingIsraelthat His true heart’s desire is always for repentance (18:32). 

 

In chapter nineteen, Ezekiel records a lamentation for the princes ofIsrael.  Lamentation means a “loud cry.”  It is poetic song (usually three beats followed by two beats) that expresses deep emotion.  This lamentation is for king Jehoahaz, who languished in an Egyptian prison (II Kings23:31-33) and king Jehoiakim, who was taken captive and deported toBabylon(II Kings 24:1-12).  They are depicted as lion’s whelps (19:2, 5).  The lamentation ends with a summary ofIsrael’s current state (19:10-14).  Her exile is pictured as a plant in a dry and thirsty ground.  The last verse states thatIsraelhas no scepter to rule.  It is also interesting that Ezekiel’s lamentation “shall be for a lamentation” (29:14). Israelstill has a future lamentation, the great tribulation. However, with that tribulation will come a scepter to rule!  Christ!

 

Chapter twenty begins with the leadership ofIsraelcoming to Ezekiel to enquire of the Lord.  God instructs Ezekiel to tell the leadership that He will not be enquired of by them.  He goes on to remind the leadership ofIsrael’s past disobedience and current disobedience.  The chapter ends with a vivid and descriptive picture of God’s judgment with fire (20:45-49).  The leaders ofIsraelreply by “spiritualizing” Ezekiel’s message instead of taking it literally.  They accuse Ezekiel of speaking in parables, when it is clear that this chapter is not a parable.  This is the same thing that many lost people do when confronted with the reality of hell.  They will believe anything except the fact that Hell is a literal place of God’s judgment. 

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the “TENDER ONE” planted upon a high mountain – Ezek. 17:22. 

 

TODAY’S READING: EZEKIEL 12-16

 

OVERVIEW:

Ezekiel’s actions typify the exile (chapter twelve); God warns the false prophets (chapter thirteen); God warns Israel that judgment is inevitable (chapters fourteen and fifteen); God reminds Israel of His grace in saving them and their decision to forsake Him (chapter sixteen).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

God continually asks Ezekiel to picture His truth about the exile through his actions.  Leaving with his “stuff” through the wall (12:1-16) typifies the captivity of Israel’s current king, Zedekiah (II Kings 25:1-10).  Ezekiel’s trembling (12:17-20) illustrates the desolation that Israel will experience during the exile.  God wants Ezekiel to speak through his actions as well as his words.  What a lesson for the Christian to learn.  Do our actions speak truth as much as our speech?  Do our actions compliment the message we are proclaiming?  Ezekiel’s message was one of eminent judgment.  Our message is Christ.  Does our life demonstrate Christ? 

 

Even though Ezekiel warns Israel, there are those who still believe that God is not serious.  Ezekiel’s audience has adopted a proverb (12:22) that says (paraphrase), “With the passing of time every warning of Ezekiel is proven false.”  God has enough of this attitude and tells Ezekiel to giveIsraela new proverb…“The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.”   God is saying, “Judgment starts now!”  Man lives believing that there will never be consequences for his sin.  However, sin eventually has a payday.  It has been said that sin takes you farther than you want to go, keeps you longer than you want to stay, and costs you more than you want to pay.  Do not confuse God’s longsuffering with apathy towards sin. 

 

The prophets who foretell peace and safety (Ezekiel 13, 14:9) are further demonstrating Israel’s arrogance.  What a foreshadowing of the Anti-Christ, who will come to power at the beginning of the tribulation by proclaiming peace, when in truth it is God’s vengeance and wrath that will be unleashed on the earth (Daniel 8:25).  Just as God’s judgment was inevitable during the ministry of Ezekiel, so His judgment will be inevitable during the coming tribulation. 

 

Chapter sixteen serves as one of the most brutally descriptive images of our original sin condition and God’s grace.  This chapter is so clear and indicting that some of the ancient rabbis did not allow it to be read in public.

 

God likens Israel to an abandoned child (16:4-5), born of a wrong family (16:3), left for dead in a field.  God sees Israel lying in her own blood.  God says, “Live.” (16:6). God then blesses Israel with beauty (holiness), clothing (righteousness), and jewels/crown (rewards).  He anoints Israel with oil (type of the Holy Spirit) and makes her His bride (16:7-14).  But Israel prostitutes herself to other nations and other gods.  She commits adultery over and over again (16:15-59). 

 

Ezekiel 16:60 contains one of the most powerful words in the entire Bible — “Nevertheless.”  Despite Israel’s broken promises, God still remembers His covenant, and promises an everlasting covenant.  What a beautiful, yet solemn picture, of the reality of our life.  It is not because of our goodness or obedience that God keeps His word to us.  It is because of God’s grace.  We continually forsake our God…nevertheless. 

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the BRIDEGROOM in chapter sixteen. 

 

TODAY’S READING: EZEKIEL 6-11

 

OVERVIEW:

God judges Israel for their idolatry (Chapter Six); The severity of God’s judgment (Chapter Seven); Vision of Jerusalem’s sin (Chapter Eight); Vision of God’s judgment on Jerusalem (Chapter Nine); Vision of the cherubim and God’s glory (Chapter Ten); Israel is warned about the false security of Jerusalem (Chapter Eleven).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The Book of Ezekiel contains an important “title” and a prominent reoccurring phrase.  The title “Son of Man” is attributed to Ezekiel ninety-three times.  This title appears a total of one hundred ninety-three times in the Bible.  The prophet Daniel attributes the title to the coming Messiah in Daniel 7:13.  The title appears eighty-four times in the New Testament in reference to the Lord Jesus Christ.  As seen in their reaction to the title in the Gospel of Luke, the Jews understood that this title has messianic implications. 

 

“And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.” –  Luke 22:66-71

 

Ezekiel, a prophet and priest, will prove to be a type of the Lord Jesus Christ in that he will minister to the nation of Israel during the time of exile, just as Jesus Christ will minister to Israel during the tribulation.  It is also true that the period of judgment and restoration pictured in Ezekiel foreshadows the judgment and restoration of Israel during the tribulation and the millennial reign of Christ. 

 

The phrase, “know that I am the LORD” appears seventy-seven times in the Bible.  The phrase appears sixty-three times in the Book of Ezekiel and appears first in Ezekiel 6:7.  Israel had forgotten who God was.  Israel had continually turned to idolatry (6:4, 8:5-16) and had replaced God with man-made images.  Israel had also been trusting in their wealth (7:19) and in the walls of Jerusalem (11:3) for security.  Through their exile, judgment, and eventual restoration, God’s purpose is to remind Israel that He is the Lord.  What a reminder to us that our security should not rest in our material resources or self-made “walls.”  Our true security must be in the only One who can really keep us safe – God!

 

Ezekiel’s visions of God’s judgment are precise and severe.  Israel’s idolatry had begun at God’s Temple causing God to remove His presence (8:6).  It is at God’s Temple where judgment will begin (9:6).  This is a reminder to the believer of where the war for worship will take place.  Throughout the entire Old Testament, Satan desired to destroy the place where God’s glory dwelt.  Satan was successful during the exile when Babylon, under the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar, burns the Temple in 586 BC.  The temple is later rebuilt only to be destroyed again by Rome in 70 AD.  This serves as a warning that our enemy wants to destroy the place where God currently dwells – us!  The enemy desires that we would turn to other gods (idolatry) through covetousness.  The enemy desires that we would turn away from God in an effort to find security and safety in temporal riches and wrong relationships.  Just as God instructed that judgment begin at His sanctuary (9:6), we must evaluate our temple (our heart) to see if we have forgotten who God is. 

 

God appears to Ezekiel for the third time at the beginning of chapter 10 (1:4, 3:23, 10:1).  It is during this encounter that God reveals to Ezekiel that Israel would one day be restored (11:17-20).  This final restoration will usher in the millennial reign of Christ.  Even in the midst of tribulation, God promises deliverance. 

 

SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”:

7:7 – “The day of trouble is near.”

7:10 – “Behold the day.”

7:12 – “The day draweth near.”

7:19 – “The day of wrath of the LORD.”

 

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the ONE MAN CLOTHED WITH LINEN – Ezek. 9:2 (Rev. 1:13).

 

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL                

 

Ezekiel, whose name means strengthened by God, is called upon by God, along with Daniel and Jeremiah, to prophecy againstIsraelduring the time of exile (Ezekiel 1:1-2).  The first two verses of Chapter One give us the historical context of the book.  To understand the tone and message of Ezekiel’s message it is essential to understand how Ezekiel fits into the story of the Old Testament. 

 

The Old Testament breaks down into six natural chronological divisions.

 

1. Genesis (The time of Genesis begins with the creation of the world and ends with Jacob’s sons inEgypt.) 2. Exodus (The time of Exodus begins with Jacob’s sons inEgyptand ends with Joshua leading the nation ofIsraelin to possess the Promised Land.) 3. Judges (The time of Judges covers the period inIsrael’s history when a variety of judges ruled.) 4. Kings (During the time of Kings, different kings ruledIsrael.  Division intoNorthern Kingdom(Israel) and Southern Kingdom (Judah) came afterIsraelhad been united under the reign of Saul, David, and Solomon.  TheNorthern Kingdomwas then defeated byAssyriaand carried away captive in 722 BC.  The Southern Kingdom was defeated byBabylonand carried away captive in 606 BC.) 5. Exile (The time of Exile covers the nation ofIsrael’s seventy years of exile.) 6. Return (The time of The Return covers the time ofIsrael’s return to their homeland and the time when both the temple andJerusalemwere rebuilt under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah. 

 

The exile had been prophesied as far back as Moses (Deuteronomy 28) and as recently as the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11-12). Israel’s disobedience culminated in the fact they had failed to keep the Sabbath for the land (II Chronicles 36:21).  God had kept track ofIsrael’s failure to let the land rest and had decided to exileIsraelfor seventy years in order that the land finally might have its rest.  This is a chilling reminder of the consequences of sin.  There is no doubt thatIsraelhad grown accustomed to ignoring the Sabbath for the land.  However, God had kept track.  God will not ignore sin. 

 

Israelhad temporarily turned to God under the reign of Josiah (640-609 BC).  After Josiah was killed by the Egyptian armyIsrael(southern kingdom) plunged back into sin under their four remaining kings).

 

1. Jehoahaz (609 BC)
2. Jehoiakim (609-598 BC)  – Daniel taken captive during his reign
3. Jehoiachin (598-597 BC) – Ezekiel taken captive during his reign
4. Zedekiah (597-586 BC) – more of a puppet king under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar

 

The exile had begun in 606 BC and ended in 536 BC.  During those seventy years, both Daniel and Ezekiel were taken captive toBabylon. EventuallyBabylon, under the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar, would burn the temple and destroyedJerusalem.

 

722 BC Northern ten tribes are defeated byAssyria  

 

606 BC though 536 BC Southern tribes ofJudahare defeated byBabylon.  Three separate conquests lead to deportation of many Jews along with the final destruction ofJerusalem.  

 

605 BC –  (Daniel taken captive)

597 BC –  (Ezekiel taken captive)

586 BC –  (Jerusalemdestroyed)

 

539 BCPersiainvades and defeatsBabylon

 

Ezekiel and his wife are among 10,000 Jews taken into captivity along with king Jehoiachin in 597 BC (II Kings 24:11-18).  He is 25 years old when he is taken toBabylon.  He is thirty years old when his ministry begins; 592 BC (Ezekiel 1:1).  He ministers for twenty-two years (570 BC).  Ezekiel and his 10,000 fellow countrymen were more of colonist than captives, being permitted to farm tracts of land under somewhat favorable conditions.  Ezekiel even had his own house. 

 

It is important to remember that Ezekiel is already in captivity when he is prophesying to the Jews who have not been taken captive.

 

TODAY’S READING: EZEKIEL 1-5

 

OVERVIEW:

Ezekiel receives a vision of God’s glory; Ezekiel receives his commission; Ezekiel is instructed to physically typify the siege and judgment ofJerusalem. 

 

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Ezekiel chapter 1 records one of the most incredible visions in the Word of God.  The vision includes four living creatures flying through the air like a flash of lightning, a crystal sea, creatures with multiple eyes and faces ushering in a throne, and an appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ.  Ezekiel is ushered into the presence of the Lord and sees a glimpse of the Second Advent.  Just like Isaiah (Isa. 6:1-8) and the Apostle John (Rev. 4-5), Ezekiel is overwhelmed by the revelation of Christ in all of His glory.  Ezekiel’s response will be the response of every person when they see Christ in all of His glory. He falls on his face!  What a contrast to the nonchalant way much of Christianity approaches the Lord Jesus Christ!  There is no room for pride or selfishness in the presence of God Almighty.  One day every knee will bow to the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom.14:11). 

 

Chapters two through three record God’s commission for Ezekiel.  He is to prophesy to the nation ofIsraelduring the seventy year exile.  Ezekiel paints a picture for every Christian of what it really means to be a witness for Christ.  The picture begins with an encounter with Christ.  In chapter one, Ezekiel comes face to face with Christ (1:28).  However, the encounter didn’t just involve what Ezekiel saw, but also what Ezekiel heard.  Speaking in the first person, Ezekiel says, “and I heard a voice of one that spake.”  Our effectiveness as a witness for Christ must begin with a daily encounter with Christ.  How can we encounter Christ if He doesn’t (and won’t) appear to us in a vision like Ezekiel’s?  We encounter Christ by listening to His Word.  It is God’s written revelation that gives us a glimpse of Christ in all of His glory!

 

However, it isn’t enough just to hear God’s words.  We must also receive that word in our heart.  God instructed Ezekiel, “all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart” (3:10).  We must receive God’s words into our heart in such a way that they change the way we think, behave, and live.  It is interesting that God tells Ezekiel to receive “all” His words.  Over the course of this prophecy, God is going to give Ezekiel some very difficult things to do and say.  When it comes to God’s written revelation, we can’t be choosey.  Sometimes the Word will be sweet.  Sometimes it will be bitter.  Sometimes it will comfort and sometimes it will sting.  We must receive it all regardless.  This also serves as a warning to those who would tamper with the Word of God, and preachers who would fail to teach “all the counsel of God” (Acts20:27).

 

God then instructs Ezekiel to speak His words (2:7,3:23-27).  Ezekiel spoke as a prophet of God when he uttered the phrase, “Thus saith the LORD GOD.”  Our counsel to others should not be conclusions based on our own life experiences and opinions.  We must share what we have received in our heart — God’s words.  It is interesting to note that Ezekiel’s actions mirrored his spoken words.  God continually asks Ezekiel to demonstrate His truth toIsraelby the way He lives (as seen in the sign of the tile, shaving, burning hair, lying on each side, and imprisonment).  Our life must reflect the truth of God.  Our actions will speak louder than our words! 

 

You would think that Ezekiel was ready to so speak.  However, God gives a couple of other instructions.  Ezekiel was to go and identify with the people (3:15).  How can we share the love of Christ with people with whom we aren’t willing to identify?  Before Ezekiel spoke, he sat quietly with those who would be the recipients of his/God’s message.  We must be willing to spend time with people and to listen.  Ezekiel waited for God’s direction before he spoke.  The cliché is true — “People won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

 

Finally, God gives Ezekiel a warning.  Ezekiel will be held accountable.  He isn’t accountable for the response of the people, but He is accountable to hear, receive, and speak the words of God (3:15-21).  God doesn’t ask us to change the hearts of men, but He does require that we hear the Word of Christ, receive the Word of Christ, and share the Word of Christ (Col. 3:16; I Tim. 4:16). 

 

Are you encountering Christ daily by meeting with Him in His word?  Are you listening to His words and receiving them in your heart?  Are you identifying with those around you and speaking God’s Word to them, both audibly, and in the way you live? 

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the APPEARANCE OF A MAN UPON THE THRONE – Ezek.1:26(Rev. 1:13-17).

 

TODAY’S READING: LAMENTATIONS 1-5

 

OVERVIEW:

Jeremiah’s lamentation overJerusalem’s destruction (1:1-22); God’s justifiable wrath (2:1-22); God’s incredible mercy (3:1-66); God’s anger againstJerusalem(4:1-22); a plea for restoration (5:1-22).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

“The Lamentations of Jeremiah” as the title states, is the expression of Jeremiah’s incredible sorrow over the sins of God’s people that had resulted in the destruction of theTempleinJerusalem, and the entirekingdomofJudah.  These five chapters are kind of like a postscript to the Book of Jeremiah.  They are obviously a separate Book in our English Bible, but are contained in the third section (called “the Writings”) in the Hebrew Bible.  Like we saw in Psalm 119, this Book employs acrostic poetry.  In chapters 1, 2, and 4, each succeeding verse begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet.  Chapter 3 actually has three acrostic poems.

 

From an historical standpoint, the Book deals with the fall ofJerusalemin 586 B.C. From a doctrinal (or prophetic) standpoint, the Book deals with the events during and surrounding the Tribulation Period.

 

In chapter one, Jeremiah likens the city ofJerusalemto a grieving widow.  She once was a “princess,” but now has become a slave (“tributary” – 1:1).  At one time she was surrounded by “friends” (1:2) and “lovers” (1:2), but now everyone has forsaken her, leaving her to grieve and weep alone.  In verse 4 of chapter 1, Jeremiah even gives human attributes to the roads leading toJerusalem, saying, “the ways ofZiondo mourn.”  Whereas at one time, they had been filled with incoming worshippers, now they are totally desolate. The picture Jeremiah describes in this chapter is heartbreaking and pitiful.  Having to actually put the reality ofJerusalem’s condition into words becomes more than Jeremiah can handle by the time he gets to verse 16: “For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water.”  Oh, that our hearts would break and our eyes would leak as did Jeremiah’s for the condition of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Laodicean church period (Rev. 3:14-22).

 

When God called His son,Israel, out ofEgypt(Hosea 11:1), He led them with the cloud of His glory.  Chapter 2 begins by explaining that at this point in their history, the Lord likewise covered them with a cloud.  Sadly, however, it was the “cloud of his anger.”  Whereas in times past, the Lord fought on Israel’s behalf against their enemies, now the Lord, Himself fought against Israel like one of their enemies (2:2-5). Again, Jeremiah “laments” as he is forced to describeIsrael’s awful condition: “Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people” (2:11).  Jeremiah recognized, however, that they had gotten exactly what they deserved (2:19), because they listened to their false prophets (2:14), and stubbornly refused to repent of their idolatry. Verse 15 is perhaps the saddest of all the tremendously sad verses in this Book: “All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag!  their head at the daughter ofJerusalem, saying, Is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?” While Christians all over our country are “whooping it up” about all of the so-called “wonderful” and “spiritual” things that are taking place in the world, does the world not look at Christianity and say, “Is this the glorious church of the Lord Jesus Christ, the beautiful, chaste virgin Bride that is without spot or blemish or any such thing?” (Eph. 5:27; II Cor. 11:2)  God give us Jeremiahs inLaodiceawho will lament our grievous condition.

 

After two and a half chapters of simply focusing on the pitiful condition of the land, in the middle of chapter 3, Jeremiah lifts his eyes to the Lord.  In the midst of sorrow and ruin, he is reminded of the mercy and compassion of the Lord, and the incredible fact that “His compassions fail not” (3:22), and “they are new every morning” (3:23).  It brings Jeremiah to declare “Great is Thy faithfulness”!  In other words, “We have certainly failed Him, but He will not fail us!” Praise the Lord for His marvelous, infinite matchless mercy and grace!

 

In the remainder of chapter 3, Jeremiah calls upon the people to stop their whining, to search their hearts, confess their sin, and get right with God!  He then calls upon God to bring punishment upon those He used as the instrument of His wrath againstJerusalem.

 

Chapter 4 lets us know just how horrendous the situation inJerusalemactually had gotten. Children were being mistreated and abused by their parents, and believe it or not, some mothers were actually eating their own children!  God says that His punishment against this city would even be greater than His punishment ofSodom!

 

Chapter 5 continues the description of the deplorable situation inZion, and ends with Jeremiah crying out to God, “Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old” (5:21). The good news is, in the very near future, God is going to answer Jeremiah’s prayer!

 

SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”:

2:1 – “In the day of his anger.”

2:22– “In the day of the LORD’s anger.”

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

Through JEREMIAH’S SORROW OVERJERUSALEM– Lam. 1:12-22 (Matt.23:37; Luke13:34)

 

As the MERCIFUL SAVIOUR – Lam.3:22(Jude1:21)

TODAY’S READING: JEREMIAH 50-52

 

OVERVIEW:

God’s judgment uponBabylon(50:1-51:64); the fall ofJerusalemand Zedekiah’s torment (52:1-11); the Babylonians destroy theTemple(52:12-23); the people are exiled (52:24-30); God has not forgotten and will not forsake David’s descendants (52:31-34).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

To this point,Babylonhas been the tool God used to mete out His judgment upon the many nations we read about in chapters 44-49.  In chapter 50, Jeremiah prophesies God’s judgment uponBabylonand her many gods. 

 

OnceBabylonwould be defeated, the chosen people of God would once again be gathered and returned to their homeland.  This was partially fulfilled in 538 B.C. when Cyrus made a decree permitting the Jews to go back toJerusalem.  The context, however, points to the fulfillment of God’s promises to the Jews during the Great Tribulation (notice in 50:4 – “in those days”; 50:15 – “it is the vengeance of the LORD”; 50:20 – “in those days”; 50:28 – “the vengeance of the LORD our God”; and 50:30 – “in that day.”)

 

That “last days” fulfillment continues in chapter 51.  As well as detailingBabylon’s judgment in like fashion as does Revelation 17 and 18, God also points toIsrael’s restoration.  Despite all ofIsrael’s defiance against God, He still lovesIsrael, and has every intention of blessing them.  Though the conflict(s!) in theMiddle Eastrages today, Jeremiah (and John in Revelation, not to mention Isaiah, etc., etc.) points to the fact that in the very near future, the conflict will be over, andIsraelwill be sitting on top. That certainly is not to say that everythingIsraeldoes and is doing today is right, but don’t ever forget to factor into your equation the EVERLASTING (!!!) Abrahamic Covenant: “And I will bless them that bless thee (Abraham, orIsrael), and curse him that curseth thee” (Gen. 12:3).  Non-Christians think that is a fatalistic viewpoint.  Fatalistic it may be, it won’t change the outcome!  Anyway you slice it, folks,Israel’s going to end up on top, and her King and Messiah (and ours, hallelujah!!!), will rule the entire world from His throne inJerusalem! Americahas made some incredibly sinful and stupid decisions in the last half a century (or more!).  Perhaps the only reason God has not unleashed His judgment upon us is our faithfulness to blessIsrael.  When/If we curse them, Katie bar the door!  I’m afraid we will have sealed our own doom!

 

In 51:59-64, one last time God wants Jeremiah to give His message via an object lesson.  Jeremiah wrote “all the evil that should come uponBabylon” and then told Seraiah to take it and read it inBabylon.  After reading it, he was to take the scroll, tie it to a rock, and cast it into theEuphrates, explaining to the people that that’s exactly what God was going to do to them!

 

The Book of Jeremiah concludes in chapter 52 with a somewhat lengthy explanation about the fall ofJerusalem.  It is almost word for word with II Kings 18-25, 30, and very similar to what was detailed in Jer. 39:1-18.  It recounts the city’s fall, Zedekiah’s attempt to escape, his capture, the murder of his sons “before his eyes” (52:10), just before he lost his physical sight.

 

Back in I Kings 9:1-9 after Solomon built the Temple, God promised to keep His name there as long as they served only Him, “But,” He said, “if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a by word among all people” (I Kings 9:6-7). The people did not live up to their end of the bargain, but as you might imagine, God did live up to His. Jeremiah 52:12-30 is the fulfillment of God’s warning toIsraelin I Kings 9:6-7.

 

The Book of Jeremiah does end, however, with just a flicker of hope.  After 37 years of being exiled inBabylon, Jehoiachin king ofJudah, is shown preferential treatment.  It is a reminder that God has not forgotten the Davidic Covenant, and just as Jeremiah 30-33 made clear, God would ultimately fulfill His promises to blessIsrael.

 

SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”:

51:2 – “In the day of trouble.”

51:6 –“The time of the LORD’s vengeance.”

51:11 – “It is the vengeance of the LORD.”

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the REDEEMER WHO PLEADS OUR CAUSE – Jer. 50:34 (Luke 1:68; Rom.8:34)

 

As the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE – Jer. 51:15 (Col. 1:16)

 

 

TODAY’S READING: JEREMIAH 44-49

 

OVERVIEW:

God’s condemnation through Jeremiah of the remnants idolatry in Egypt (44:1-4); the people blatantly confess their affection for idols (44:15-19); God’s last word concerning the faithless remnant (44:20-30); God’s exhortation to Baruch (45:1-5); God’s judgment upon Egypt (46:1-28); God’s judgment upon Philistia (47:1-7); God’s judgment upon  Moab  (48:1-47);  God’s judgment  upon Ammon (49:1-6);  God’s judgment upon Edom (49:7-22); God’s judgment upon Damascus (49:23-27); God’s judgment upon the lesser nations (49:28-33); God’s judgment upon Elam (49:34-39).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

When we ended yesterday’s reading, the remnant chose to rebel against the word of the Lord through Jeremiah in spite of their extravagant promises not to do so, and went to Egypt to hopefully find a place of refuge against the wrath of the Babylonians.  Not content to simply go themselves, they forced Jeremiah and Baruch to go with them.  Perhaps they thought that God would not exercise judgment against them if these two men of God were with them.   Regardless of what they thought, Jeremiah’s preaching against them was anything but over!  Nor was God’s judgment!  Jeremiah walked them through the wickedness and idolatry of Judah, despite God’s cry to them through the prophets, “Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate” (44:4), and promised that just as surely as God’s “fury” and “anger” was poured out on their cities and in the streets of Jerusalem, leaving them “wasted” and “desolate,” God’s judgment would fall on them in Egypt. It is indeed amazing how after watching the effects of sin on people’s lives, and observing the pain people endure as a result of incurring the chastisement of Almighty God, that we can deceive ourselves into thinking that “it’ll be different for us,” or that “we’ll be the exception.”

 

Rather than cause the people to repent, they somehow concluded that their problem was that they had not served other gods enough!  They resort back to worshipping the queen of heaven (Ashtoreth), reasoning that life turned for the worse when they stopped worshipping her (44:17-19).  Excuse me, but have I mentioned how utterly stooooooopid sin can make us?  And before we think that this idolatry “shoe” certainly doesn’t fit us, remember that in the New Testament, God identifies covetousness as idolatry (Col. 3:5).  He doesn’t say that it’s like idolatry, He says that it IS idolatry!!!!!!  And do note that at least three times in the New Testament covetousness is specifically referring to the desire for illicit sexual fulfillment. What happens in that whole sexual sin world is no different than what was happening to this remnant inEgypt.  People know how sexual sin has destroyed thousands and thousands and tens of thousands of homes before them, but deceive themselves into thinking it won’t destroy theirs.  Oh God, deliver us from ourselves!

 

Chapter 45 is a short chapter with God’s Word for Baruch.  Baruch was one of only two people (Ebedmelech being the other one) in Jeremiah’s entire 40 year ministry who had ever responded in any kind of positive way.  God wants Baruch to realize that though he was bummed at how things had shaken down forJerusalem, the reason he was bummed was because of how it had affected him, not how it had affected God.  Again, with God saying that the chief characteristic of our day is that we love ourselves (II Tim. 3:1-2), we must be careful that we don’t deceive ourselves into thinking we’re “spiritual” because of how we’re repulsed by the condition of our country, and, yea, the world.  Do we hurt because God hurts, or do we hurt because of how the sin of the world has affected our lives?

 

In the remaining chapters in today’s reading, God details His judgment upon the Gentile nations: •His judgment uponEgypt(46:1-28). •His judgment upon Philisita (47:1-7). •His judgment uponMoab(48:1-47). •His judgment upon Ammon (49:1-6). •His judgment uponEdom(49:7-22). •His judgment uponDamascus(49:23-27). •His judgment upon the lesser nations (49:28-33). •His judgment uponElam(49:34-39).

 

The nations listed encompassed basically all of the nations of the known world at that time.  It seems that God’s message through Jeremiah was that there is no nation who can defy Him and not inflict upon themselves His judgment.  If that be true, our nation is on a collision course with disaster!

 

SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”:

46:10 – “The day of the Lord God of host, a day of vengeance.” 48:41 – “At that day.” 48:47 – “In the latter days.” 49:22 –“At that day.” 49:39 – “In the latter days.”

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

Through GOD’S SERVANTS, THE PROPHETS – Jer. 44:4 (Jesus was God’s “chosen Servant” – Matt. 12:17-18; Acts 3:20-21).

 

TODAY’S READING: JEREMIAH 39-43

 

OVERVIEW: The destruction of Jerusalem (39:1-10); God’s deliverance of Jeremiah and Ebedmelech (39:11-18); Jeremiah’s release (40:1-16); the plot against Gedaliah, Babylon’s appointed governor over those remaining in the land (41:1-10); the hostages taken by Ishmael are rescued (41:11-18); the Jews request a word from God through Jeremiah (42:1-6); Jeremiah delivers God’s Word (42:7-22); the people reject God’s Word (43:1-7); God’s rejection of the people (43:8-13).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

That fateful day of which Jeremiah had been prophesying had finally arrived.  Verse one of chapter 39 says that Nebuchadrezzar and “all his army came againstJerusalem, and they besieged it.” Those who had been called to be the holy people of God, with a holy standing before Him, with a holyTemplein a holy land had finally desecrated their holy calling.  Zedekiah escaped in the middle of the night out of a secret passage way, but was overtaken in the plain and brought before Nebuchadrezzar, king ofBabylon(39:4-5).  Nebuchadrezzar killed Zedekiah’s sons right “before his eyes” (39:6), just before he “put out Zedekiah’s eyes” (39:7). Imagine that the last thing you would ever be permitted to see for the remainder of your whole life was your own children being slaughtered, and have to go to your grave realizing that it was because of your own sin!  It is an amazing phenomenon that as parents we can choose to be so willfully blinded to the consequences of our sinful choices upon our own precious children!  Sadly, Zedekiah represents the rule rather than the exception when it comes to the affects of sin upon our homes.

 

Just as God promised Jeremiah when He first called him (1:17-19), Jeremiah’s life was spared in the whole demise of the nation (39:11-18).  It is rather ironic that Jeremiah was shown more kindness by the King of Babylon than he had ever received from the previous four kings ofJudah.  In chapter 40, Jeremiah is actually freed by the Babylonians, and presented with the option of going intoBabylonand being provided for, or remaining with the remnant that had been permitted to stay in the land (40:4). In the great spirit and tradition of Moses, Jeremiah “chose to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of”Babylon(Heb.11:24-26).

 

In chapter 40 and verses 5 and 6, Gedaliah is appointed byBabylonas governor over the people who were permitted to remain in the land.  He encouraged the people to quietly and respectfully serveBabylon, assuring them that if they did, things would go well with them (40:9).  Unfortunately, a plot was devised against Gedaliah, and in chapter 41, Ishmael murdered him along with other citizens, as well as taking hostages.  Ishmael’s plan was to flee to the city ofAmmon, leaving the Jews aroundJerusalemto suffer the wrath of the Babylonians.  They understood that they had two possibilities.  First, they could flee toEgyptand trust them to help against the Babylonians, or, they could remain where God had placed them, and trust God to help them.  Stating it in that fashion makes the decision they “should” make a “no brainer,”  until we look back over our shoulder to how many times during a time of difficulty or trial, we trusted the world’s (Egypt’s) solution, rather than trusting God.  Surprisingly, they sought Jeremiah’s counsel as to what they should do (42:1-4), pledging that whatever God said through him, regardless of what it was, they would obey it (42:5-6).  God’s word came back through Jeremiah, telling them that if they would remain in the land, God would protect them and bless them (42:7-12), but that if they went toEgyptfor help, He would allow them to be blasted to “kingdom come” (42:13-18)!  Jeremiah suspected that they were all full of talk, but no walk – all full of show, but no go (42:19-22), and chapter 43 proved that his hunch was right.  Rather than obey Jeremiah’s words to them, which is to say, God’s words to them, they accuse him of telling them the things he did so they would fall to the Babylonians.  What this really proved is that they had planned to do what they wanted to do all along; they just had hoped God’s will lined up with theirs. It sounds unbelievable and ludicrous, but again, their spiritual sounding/looking shenanigans masking their self-will may represent the rule rather than the exception inLaodicea(II Tim. 3:1-5).

 

Chapter 43 ends with another of God’s many object lessons through Jeremiah, pointing to the fact thatBabylonwould conquerEgyptjust as they hadJudah.

 

SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”:

  39:16  – “In that day”

  39:17  – “In that day”

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

Through GEDALIAH, as he instructed the Jews to pay homage to the heathen nation that ruled over them – Jer. 40:9 (Matt.22:21).

TODAY’S READING: JEREMIAH 34-38

 

OVERVIEW: God’s faithfulness to the Davidic Covenant (34:1-11); Israel’s unfaithfulness to their fellow countrymen (34:12-22); Israel’s unfaithfulness to their God (35:1-19); Israel’s rejection of God’s Word (36:1-32); Jeremiah preaches against a false sense of security and self-deception (37:1-10); Jeremiah is imprisoned (37:11-21); Jeremiah is delivered (38:1-16); Jeremiah presents Zedekiah’s alternatives (38:17-28).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

We enter into the second and third sections of the Book of Jeremiah in today’s reading.  Whereas the first 33 chapters detailed the fate ofJudah, chapters 34 and 35 detail the fate ofJerusalem, and chapter 36 to the end of the Book is basically the detailing of the fate of the Gentile nations.  This is the fulfillment of what God said to Jeremiah when He first called him: “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee A PROPHET UNTO THE NATIONS…See, I have this day SET THEE OVER THE NATIONS AND OVER THE KINGDOMS, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” (1:5, 10).

 

As chapter 34 opens,Babylonis about to overtakeJerusalem.  God tells Jeremiah to go and tell King Zedekiah that the city would in fact fall to the Babylonians, but that he would not be killed in the invasion.  The fact that God was willing to spare this wicked king’s life is not only a testimony of God’s mercy and grace, but a testimony of His faithfulness to keep His promises.  In the Davidic Covenant God had promised that David’s lineage would survive as we have talked about.  Though the covenant was obscured in the fact that David’s kingly line would actually live in exile, the covenant was not revoked. 

 

In verses 12-22 of chapter 34 God speaks through Jeremiah to showIsraelthat they had not been faithful to one another in the fact that they had not obeyed His plan for releasing on the seventh year, those who for financial reasons sold themselves into slavery.  In chapter 35, he uses the example of the faithfulness of the Rechabite family to reveal toIsraeltheir unfaithfulness to Him.  In the same way that the family of Rechab stood as a shining light in the midst of the darkness in Jeremiah’s day, may our families likewise bring glory to God against the “lukewarmness” (Rev. 3:15-17) and apostacy (I Tim. 4:1) of our day!

 

Chapter 36 is an absolute classic in terms of revealing the divisiveness of the Word of God, and its utter indestructibility!  Because Jeremiah had been forbidden to enter the Temple (36:5), he was forced to dictate the words of Lord for Baruch the Scribe to write into a scroll and deliver to the leaders of Israel, once again, calling for Israel’s repentance. The words were so powerful that theTempleofficials sent them to the king.  As the words were read to the king by Jehudi, before he could get to the fourth “page,” the king grabs it out of Jehudi’s hand, takes out his pen knife and begins cutting it into shreds, and then threw it into the fire.  It’s a very interesting story, and very easy to follow.  But there is really more than meets the eye going on here.  The chapter actually opens up one of the clearest explanations in the entire Bible about the whole process of the inspiration and preservation of Scripture! 

 

The process of inspiration is described in verses 4 and 6, just how II Peter1:21said it happened, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” Jeremiah SPOKE his words to Baruch the scribe, but the words Baruch wrote weren’t actually Jeremiah’s words, but the very “WORDS OF THE LORD” (36:4)!  Jeremiah restates the process in verse 6 as he says to Baruch: “Go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD.” Almost as if to telegraph the point again, God records the words of theTempleleaders to Baruch in verse 17: “Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth?” Baruch responded in verse 18: “He pronounced all these words unto me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the book.” 

 

That is a great simplistic description of the process of inspiration.  What Baruch had in written form, were the very words of God — what we have come to call “original manuscripts.”  Note what happened in this chapter to the original manuscripts.  They were totally destroyed!  But remember, God not only “inspired” His Word, but promised to “preserve” it (Psalm 12:6-7; Matt.5:18)! Though the “original manuscripts” were no longer in existence, God had no problem remembering what they said, and no problem producing a copy that contained “all the words of the book (original manuscript) which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire” (36:32).  The reason this is so significant, is that people balk at the very idea that we believe the Bible we are able to actually hold in our hands (as opposed to original manuscripts that do not exist!)  is the very word and words of God just as He intended them.  Every word (Prov. 30:5)!  If God went to the “trouble” of inspiring His words in/on original manuscripts (that He obviously did not intend to keep in existence or we’d have ‘em!) it certainly is no trouble for Him to preserve them in a Book that we can actually wrap our hands and our lives around!  One of the contentions people have when we say that we believe that we have preserved for us “every word of God,” are the italicized words in our King James Bible.  (Since there is no such thing as a “word for word” translation because there is no “word for word” equivalency in translating words from one language to another, the King James translators italicized the words that were “added” to convey the meaning of the word from the original language.) Is that a problem for the God who promised to preserve His Word? The last verse of chapter 36 says that not only did the copy God produced contain every single word of the “original,” check this out: “And there were added besides unto them many like words” (36:32).

 

In chapters 37 and 38, Jeremiah continues to hammer the message ofJerusalem’s destruction per God’s instruction, and is cast into prison for carrying out God’s will.  For a more detailed concisement of chapters 37 and 38, refer to the Overview.

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

By JEREMIAH, WHO STOOD AS A FAITHFUL WITNESS TO THE REVEALED WILL OF GOD – Jer. 38:2-10 (Matt. 26:59).

 

TODAY’S READING: JEREMIAH 31-33

 

OVERVIEW: God’s promise that Israel will be His people (31:1-14); God’s promise of mercy to weary Israel (31:15-26); God’s promise to make Israel secure (31:27-30); God’s promise of a New Covenant with Israel (31:31-40); God’s instruction to Jeremiah to buy a field (32:1-15); God’s explanation to Jeremiah (32:16-35); God’s promise to bring the exiles home (32:36-44); God’s promise to keep His promises (33:1-26).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Jeremiah continues his positive message for Israel in chapter 31, though, as was discussed in Friday’s reading, the ultimate fulfillment of his prophecy wouldn’t be until the Second Coming of Christ.  In verse 28 of chapter 31, Jeremiah says, “And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD.”  In other words, just as careful as God was to punishIsrael, He will be just as careful to bless them.

 

Verse 31 of chapter 31 is very significant.  God speaks of a New Covenant that He would make with the house ofIsraelandJudah.  As we have made our way through the Old Testament, we have seen God make at least three major covenants.  The first was what we call the Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis 17:7-8: “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all thelandofCanaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” Coupled with what God had told Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3, the Lord promised to give Abraham heirs, a great name, a homeland, fame, protection, and the blessing of all nations through him.

 

The second major covenant was the covenant God made withIsraelatMount Sinai(Ex. 20; Lev. 27).  We refer to it as the Mosaic Covenant because this covenant withIsraelwas mediated by Moses.  In contrast with the Abrahamic Covenant, this was not an unconditional and everlasting covenant.

 

The third major covenant, what we call the Davidic Covenant, was God’s promise to David of an everlasting kingdom. Through Nathan the prophet, the Lord told David, “And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (II Sam.7:12-13).  As Jeremiah repeated in chapter 23:5, the coming King ofIsrael, or Messiah, whose kingdom would be eternal, would come through the kingly line of David.

 

It must be understood that God’s promise of a New Covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34 would certainly not negate the everlasting covenants that He had previously made with Abraham and David. This covenant would participate with them and work in conjunction with them.  One of the tremendous beauties of this New Covenant is whereas the Mosaic Covenant was filled with God saying, “Thou shalt,” this covenant is filled with God saying, “I will”!!! (See how many times you can find God saying, “I will” in Jer. 31:31-40, and then in chapter 32:36-44, where God picks up the subject again!).  Recognize, also, that though this is an everlasting covenant that God made specifically withIsraelandJudah, we have been permitted to participate in the blessing of this New Covenant by God’s sovereign plan and grace.  Paul said in Romans11:17, that we, “being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree.”

 

The promise of a New Covenant in the future is wonderful, but what about right now?  After the glorious promises of chapters 30 and 31, God brings things back into Jeremiah’s present situation, and the impending judgment that He was about to unleash uponIsraelandJudah.  Just beforeBabylon’s final siege ofJerusalem, God tells Jeremiah to do something that certainly must have seemed strange to him.  Purchasing property just before your entire city is overtaken by a foreign enemy is not what you would call a wise business deal to say the least. Yet, that is exactly what God tells Jeremiah to do.  As we have seen God do repeatedly throughout Jeremiah’s ministry, this is another object lesson God intended to use to make His point.  His point was that though judgment would come, He would restore the people back to their homeland.  He wanted to drive home the fact that there is nothing too hard for him (32:17, 27).  He would bring the people back to their land, and they would enjoy the blessing of His New Covenant with them.  Again, we now know that these promises will be fulfilled in the Great Tribulation asIsraelturns to her Messiah, and will be enjoyed as He returns at the end of the Tribulation to establish His Millennial Kingdom.

 

Chapter 33 is a joyous chapter as it focuses on God’s character.  It reminds us that the truth of God’s Word is grounded in the trustworthiness of His person.  He will perform every single thing He has ever promised (33:14).  It will be fulfilled just as He said, right when He said, and just how He said.  It is true forIsraelandJudah, and just as true for you!

 

SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”:

31:29    – “In those days.” (Specifically, the Tribulation Period)

31:31    – “Behold, the days come.”

31:33    – “After those days.”

31:38    – “Behold, the days come.”

31:15    – “In those days, and at that time.”

31:16    – “In those days.”

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the ONE WHO FORGIVES SINS – Jer. 31:34 (Matt. 9:6; John8:10-11).

 

By JEREMIAH, WHO ACTED AS A KINSMAN-REDEEMER IN PURCHASING THE LAND OF HIS COUSIN – Jer. 32:6-14 (Lev. 25:25,44; Ruth2:20;3:12-13; Gal. 4:4-5; Titus2:13-14).