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