Fall of Jerusalem, Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Today's reading is from parts of II Kings 25; Jeremiah 39, 50, 52, 40; and II Chronicles 36.  Inside Jerusalem there was famine, drought and pestilence and the hordes of Babylon were storming the walls!  Soon all the important buildings in Jerusalem were burned to the ground -- the most important being the Temple of Solomon and the royal palace.  All the treasures of the temple were taken to Babylon, Zedekiah's sons and officials were killed and he was blinded, put in shackles and taken to prison where he eventually died.  All the prophecies were carried out exactly as predicted.  Jeremiah was saved and allowed to live in peace.

Please Pray, Monday, August 27, 2012

Today's reading is Jeremiah 37 and 38.  Jeremiah is beaten and imprisoned as Zedekiah repeatedly seeks better news from him.

Judgement Against Tyre and Sidon, Sunday, August 26, 2012

Today's reading is Ezekiel 26-28 and tells of the total destruction of these two cities.

The Siege, Saturday, August 25, 2012

Today's reading is Ezekiel 25, 29, 30, and 31.  Ezekiel prophesies to his fellow captives in Babylon while Jerusalem is under siege.  Scathing judgment is leveled against the enemies of Israel:  Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, and Egypt. 

The Lord Our Righteousness, Friday, August 24, 2012

In Jeremiah 23, 33, and 31 a prophecy is given that a descendent of David will sit on the throne.  They are assured that a new covenant is coming.  This is not an earthly kingdom, not a political Israel.

Today's state of Israel:

Joy Will Return, Thursday, August 23, 2012

Today's reading is Jeremiah 33, 30, and 31.

"Give thanks to the Lord Almighty for the Lord is good; his love endures forever."  Jeremiah 33:11

God promises to save Israel out of a distant land.

Inquire of the Lord, Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Today's reading is in Jeremiah 21, 34, 32, and part of 33.  The refusal of the Israelites to surrender or to listen to the prophets of God results in their death by sword, famine and plague.  I need to be careful to surrender to God's will.

Delight of Your Eyes, Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Today's reading is in Ezekiel 24.  This seems so sad to me, because Ezekiel loses "the delight of his eyes", his wife.  God does not allow him to mourn.  To quote the commentator, "Death undoubtedly has a different significance to God than it does to man."  

Dispicable Prostitutes, Monday, August 20, 2012

Today's reading is mainly Ezekiel 23, with II Kings 24:20-25:1; II Chronicles 36:13; and Jeremiah 39:1.  Samaria and Jerusalem are described as daughters of the same mother -- they became prostitutes in Egypt.  Egypt is where the Israelites learned their evil idol worship.  Jerusalem is described as even worse than Samaria.

"Therefore this is what the sorereign Lord says:  since you have forgotten me and thrust me behind your back, you must bear the conseequences of your lewdness and prostitution."  Ezekiel 23:35
                                                                                                                                            And so, the predicted punishment begins. 

 

Rebels with a History, Sunday, August 19, 2012

Today's reading is Izekiel 19-22.  The sabbaths were given by the Lord to set apart the people of Israel--as a sign that He made them holy.  And they desecrated the Sabbath over and over.  It was just one sign of their evil hearts.  But, God would not give them up.

Repent and Live, Saturday, August 18, 2012

Today's reading is Ezekiel 15-18.  The idols of Israel are as useless as a burning vine; as useless as an unfaithful wife.  They are admonished to remember where they came from.  God asks them to remember where He has brought them. . .

But Do Not See, Friday, August 17, 2012

Today's reading is Ezekiel 12-14.  Ezekiel is speaking to the exiles in Babylon.

Visit to Jerusalem, Thursday, August 16, 2012

Today's reading is Ezekiel 8-11.

". . .for you have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you. . . ."   Ezekiel 11:12

The Glory of the Lord, Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Today's reading is Ezekiel 1-7.  Ezekiel was carried away with other captives from Jerusalem to Babylon in 597 B.C.  He is of a priestly line and his thinking and speaking reflect this, according to my commentary.  His prophesies include details of a severe punishment, balanced by a later restoration, and prediction of the Kingdom to come.

". . .and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable  for his blood. . . ."  Ezekiel 3:18

The Lord Will Avenge Israel, Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Today's reading is portions of Jeremiah 50, 51, 49 and 34.  The sound of the horsemen coming from the north to destroy Babylon is a powerful image.  As is the pain of a woman in labor.

"He made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.  When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth.  He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses."  Jeremiah 51:15, 16

Do To Her As She Has Done, Monday, August 13, 2012

Today's reading is portions of Jeremiah 50 and 51.

      Israel's redeemer is the Lord God Almighty!

False Hopes, Sunday, August 12, 2012

Today's reading is Jeremiah 23:9-40.  False prophets continue to distort the words of the living God.  Their portion will be everlasting disgrace and shame.

Sword, Famine and Plague, Saturday, August 11, 2012

Today's reading is from Jeremiah 24, 29, 27, and 28.  Even as the captives are led away, the false prophets continue giving messages of peace and prosperity. 

"With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please."   Jeremiah 27:5

Good advice is then given about those who proclaim that they are prophets of God:  He is a prophet only if his predictions come true.

Thousands of Captives, Friday, August 10, 2012

Today's reading includes II Kings 24; II Chronicles 36; Daniel 1:2; and Jeremiah 37 and 52.  Jehoachin and all who served him surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar.  The treasures in the Lord's Temple which had been placed there by Solomon were stripped away and taken to be used in idol worship in Babylon.  Only the poorest people were left behind in Jerusalem.  Mattaniah, the son of Josiah was made a puppet king by Nebuchadnezzar and his name was changed to Zedekiah.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zedekiah

What Was He Thinking?, Thursday, August 9, 2012

Today's reading is II Kings 24; II Chronicles 36; Jeremiah 48, 49; and Jeremiah 22:18-23.  Jehoiakim burns the scroll containing God's word and then decides to rebel against Nebuchadnezzar.  Not his best decisions.

". . .surely these things happened to Judah according to the Lord's command. . . ."  II Kings 24:3

Wisdom and Tact, Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Today's reading is Daniel 1-2:49.  The life of Daniel is such an inspiration.  The fact that I arrive at these passages on my birthday is a gift.  I pray that I will remember the wisdom and tact with which he persuaded Arioch. 

So much training and preparation had gone into the days before Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah entered into service to King Nebuchadnezzar.  It is amazing that the king was then willing to execute all the wise men of his kingdom, including these four, in his fit of rage.  God truly put them where he wanted them to serve.

The Scroll That Won't Go Away, Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Today's reading is Jeremiah 36.  The absolutely evil pride that allowed Jehoiakim to burn the words of God are shocking every time I read them.  He could burn the words on the paper, but he couldn't deter the Lord God Almighty.  And he got a very special punishment for his insolence.

Prophesies Unfold, Monday, August 6, 2012

Today's reading is Jeremiah 25 and 35; II Kings 24:1-7; and II Chronicles 36:6, 7.  Egypt was defeated by the Babylonians and people from Judah began to be lead into captivity, as foretold by Jeremiah.  Jeremiah reminds the people that they have been repeatedly warned and will now be in captivity for 70 years. 

". . . .Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and your evil practices, and you can stay in the land the Lord gave to you and your fathers for ever and ever.  Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them; do not provoke me to anger with what your hands have made.  Then I will not harm you."  Jeremiah 25:5, 6

God reassures them that the Babylonians will also be punished for their evil deeds at the end of the captivity.  The example of the Recabites is a beautiful end of this reading.

God is in Control, Sunday, August 5, 2012

Today's reading is Habakuk 1:1-3:19.  As Habakuk questions God and is answered by God, the message is that God is righteous and those who are not will be punished.  The delivery of the punishment is God's decision.  Righteousness brings life and sin brings death.  The Babylonians are described as "ruthless and impetuous".  They are "guilty men, whose own strength is their god."

"But the Lord is in his holy templ;
     let all the earth be silent before him."     Habakuk 2:20

Egypt Judged, Saturday, August 4, 2012

Today's reading is Jeremiah 46-47:7.  Egypt will be overcome by forces from the north, but a remnant of Judah will be spared.

"'Do not fear, O Jacob my servant,
     for I am with you,' declares the Lord.
'Though I completely destroy all the nations
     among which I scatter you,
     I will not completely destroy you.
I will discipline you but only with justice.
     I will not let you go entirely unpunished.'"    Jeremiah 46:28

Prophesies Fulfilled, Friday, August 3, 2012

Today's reading is II Kings 23; II Chronicles 35; and Jeremiah 22:10-17 and 26:1-23.  Beginning with the fall of Nenevah as prophesied by Nahum, prophesies are being fulfilled.  Josiah is killed in battle and two of his sons take the throne in quick succession.  They both are filled with evil and return the people to idolatry.  No wonder God has had enough.

Too Little, Too Late, Thursday, August 2, 2012

Today's readings are II Kings 22 and II Chronicles 34.  Josiah is busy cleansing the Temple, when the Book of the Law is found and read to him.  He continues with his cleansing of the Temple and begins the celebration of the Passover.  The Passover had not been celebrated in its completeness since the days of Samuel.  Solomon had some of the idols and their places of worship built which were now being destroyed.  So, essentially during all the days of the kings between David and Josiah, God's law had only been partially followed.  And now the consequences will be paid.

Valley of Slaughter, Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Today's reading is Jeremiah 17:19-20:13.  Judah refused to listen and indeed some had reformed their practices.  Apparently due to their repeated backsliding over hundreds of years, this time God will not call back His wrath.

"So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel.  But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him."     Jeremiah 18:3, 4

God Knows the Heart, Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Today's reading is Jeremiah 15:10-17:18. 

"Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
     who depends on flesh for his strength
     and whose heart turns away from the Lord."
Jeremiah 17:5

Hear and Pay Attention, Monday, July 30, 2012

Today's reading is Jeremiah 13:1-15:9. 

"Then the Lord said to me, 'The prophets are prophesying lies in my name.  I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them.  They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds. . . .'"
Jeremiah 14:14

The Lord Almighty is His Name, Sunday, July 29, 2012

Today's reading is Jeremiah 10:1-12:17.  Useless idols are like a lifeless scarecrow, BUT

". . .God made the earth by his power;
     he founded the world by his wisdom
     and stretched out the heavens by his understanding."
Jeremiah 10:12

"If You Really Change. . . .", Saturday, July 28, 2012

Today's reading is Jeremiah 7:1-9:26.  They are a band of jackals.

". . . .If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm. . . ."
Jeremiah 7:5, 6

Fear God, Friday, July 27, 2012

Today's reading is Jeremiah 5:14-6:30.  Warnings and warnings are not heeded.

"'. . . .As you have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your own land, so now you will serve foreigners in a land not your own.'"
Jeremiah 5:19

Judah Will Not Listen, Thursday, July 26, 2012

Today's reading is Jeremiah 3:6-5:13.  The sins of Judah and Israel are many and horrible.

". . .Judah did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretense. . . ."
Jeremiah 3:10

Jeremiah Weeps, Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Today's reading is Jeremiah 1:1-3:5.  God directly called His prophets and often persecution and hardship went with the job.  Some prophets didn't want the job.  Jeremiah was very young and reluctant to answer God's call.  He began to prophesy during the 13th year of Josiah's reign.  Josiah was a Godly king who had called for spiritual reform.  The nation was in a period of relative peace.  The people were not at all receptive to messages of doom and gloom.

"Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the Lord your God and have no awe of me, declares the Lord, The Lord Almighty."           Jeremiah 2:19