Jeremiah 48:1-49:22
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Jeremiah chapter 48 is not a very happy chapter… at first glance it’s tough to figure out what is going on in this chapter. Why is God so angry at Moab? I think verses 28 – 30 let us in on why: “You people of Moab, flee from your cities and towns! Live in the caves like doves that nest in the clefts of the rocks. We have heard of the pride of Moab, for it is very great. We know of her loftiness, her arrogance, and her haughty heart. I know about her insolence,” says the LORD, “but her boasts are false; they accomplish nothing.” It sounds like pride and boasting was a major factor here obviously. Along with idol worship as we see in verse 13: “At last Moab will be ashamed of her idol Chemosh, as Israel was ashamed of her gold calf at Bethel.”  I do think we see sadness from God in this judgment upon Moab in verse 31: “Yes, I wail for Moab; my heart is broken for the men of Kir-hareseth.” And ultimate redemption comes in the last verse, 47, of this chapter: “But in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Moab,” says the LORD.”  This chapter may give us the opportunity to pause and reflect on if there are areas in our life where we are boasting? Boasting in prideful ways? Are we arrogant, lofty, displaying a haughty heart toward others?

Chapter 49 does not bring good tidings to the Ammonites or Edomites. Verse 16 again gives us a good look into why this judgment is coming upon Edom: “You are proud that you inspire fear in others. And you are proud because you live in a rock fortress and hide high in the mountains. But don’t fool yourselves!”  Pride. Again. Pride. Think Pride is something that has been a temptation of humans since the Fall? Think this temptation continues today?  Verse 6 does give the hope of redemption for the Ammonites: “But afterward I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites,” says the LORD.”   This map below will give you a quick snapshot of the location of the Ammonites, Edomites, and Moabites from today’s readings:

Worship Video:  I realize that I’m posting up 2 Chris Tomlin videos 2 days in a row.  I want to share a live version of him singing “Indescribable” from The Netherlands Youth Day at a stadium.  I don’t think I mentioned this in yesterday’s posting – but if you ever get a chance to see Chris Tomlin live, please take the opportunity!  It is always a powerful worship experience!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6bfUf9S7wY

Is God Indescribable to you?   Click here to get to know Him!

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

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Jeremiah 42:1-44:23
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The three Jeremiah chapters today are quite eventful!  It is intriguing that the Israelites ask Jeremiah for a message from God – and that whatever they hear back they will do and obey. But then they don’t obey! Are we like this at times… ?  We promise promise promise God that we’ll listen & change…  but then do we?  If you are going through struggles in your life today will you call out to God?  Do you trust that He will answer in His own unique and perfect way and timing?  And then will you trust and obey?

Jeremiah chapter 42 gives a good overview of the day’s readings, with these closing 2 verses in this chapter from Jeremiah: “And today I have told you exactly what he said, but you will not obey the LORD your God any better now than you have in the past. So you can be sure that you will die from war, famine, and disease in Egypt, where you insist on going.” Jeremiah delivered the message from God… but knew that the message would go unheeded.

Chapter 43 reminds me that when we are disobedient to God’s will that our disobedience can affect not only ourselves, but others around us too. Mind you, Egypt was not a “house of the holy” – but the Israelites disobedience is going to bring destruction to themselves and Egypt. They’re carrying their disobedience and curse on to others.  Jeremiah 43’s verses 9 & 10 stood out: “”While the people of Judah are watching, bury large rocks between the pavement stones at the entrance of Pharaoh’s palace here in Tahpanhes. I will surely bring my servant Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, here to Egypt.” Interesting that God calls Nebuchadnezzar his “servant”. Would God have said this about the Israelites at this time? Called them his servants?

Chapter 44 is a great reminder of why it’s a bad idea to pursue idols in our life instead of God! Verse 7 asks “Why are you destroying yourselves?” I love this verse. Why are we destroying ourselves? We bring upon self-abuse, self-destruction, when we pursue things that are not of God. Think about it. They may bring a quick temporary pleasure, but in the long run are they building us up or destroying us? Why are we destroying ourselves?

Worship Video:  Today’s readings remind me of Francesca Battistelli’s song “God is Good:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbXjgwDHNpQ

Do you believe that God is good?  Click here for His Goodness;!

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

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Jeremiah 39:1-41:18
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Jeremiah chapter 39 brings the fall of Jerusalem! 🙁 It is sad to read about king Zedekiah’s fate. But, he was forewarned many times by Jeremiah of the coming destruction. It is interesting that King Nebuchadnezzar sought out Jeremiah and told his soldiers to free Jeremiah – and give him the option of staying in Judah or coming to Babylon, where he would be taken care of. Almost seemed like Nebuchadnezzar feared God more than Zedekiah?  Actually, in Jeremiah 40:2, we do see that the Babylonians did have a good understanding of God’s prophecies and they seemed to believe them: “The captain of the guard called for Jeremiah and said, “The Lord your God has brought this disaster on this land, just as he said he would. For these people have sinned against the Lord and disobeyed him. That is why it happened.” Is it possible in our lives today that sometimes others can see more clearly than we can of how God is moving in our lives?  Below is an image of the fall of Jerusalem from today’s readings:

Jeremiah chapter 40 continues with Gedaliah being appointed governor of Judah by Babylon. Gedaliah seems to be a good sort, as he invites the people living in the country side to: “Settle in any town you wish, and live off the land. Harvest the grapes and summer fruits and olives, and store them away.” (v. 10). However, things don’t go well too long for Gedaliah, which is sad…  Ishmael enters the scene in chapter 40 and into chapter 41, and ultimately murders Gedaliah. This definitely made me sad! Things seemed to be getting a bit peaceful in Judah, and prosperous to a degree. And then evil enters the scene once again… How many times have we seen this scenario play out over history?  Below is an image of Ishmael’s treachery to the remnant of Judah in 41:6 –

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of Tenth Avenue North’s great song, “Love Is Here:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sBuajPzBTw

Is Love here for you?  Click here for Love!

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

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Jeremiah 37:1-38:28
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Old Testament – We read about some very interesting dynamics in Jeremiah chapters 37 & 38 today… Jeremiah goes from dungeon to prison to cistern to prison to being the king’s confidant. Being a prophet is quite a life!!

I continue to admire Jeremiah’s boldness in speaking the truth in these chapters. 37:17 stood out: “Later King Zedekiah secretly requested that Jeremiah come to the palace, where the king asked him, “Do you have any messages from the Lord?” “Yes, I do!” said Jeremiah. “You will be defeated by the king of Babylon.” Jeremiah goes right to the truth… no beating around the bush! And then 3 verses later he asks Zedekiah – “Listen, my lord the king, I beg you. Don’t send me back to the dungeon in the house of Jonathan the secretary, for I will die there.” He speaks a harsh truth to Zedekiah and then asks for a favor. I like that! Do we speak the truth in our lives? Even if we know we’ll need to ask for a favor of someone later, will we still speak the truth?  Or will we default to the un-truthful position of “hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil….”

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of the MercyMe song “Flawless:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjLlLPZderk

Has the Cross made you Flawless?  Click here to remove your Flaws!

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!

Glory to God!
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Jeremiah 35:1-36:32
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Jeremiah chapter 35 today is a fantastic example of obedience from the Recabites!  Interestingly, the Recabites are being obedient to a human’s word… This stands in stark contrast to the Israelites disobedience to God’s Word… Do we do this sometimes in our lives? Obey human words and disobey God’s Word?

Jeremiah 36 is a great chapter. It is awesome to read about the writing down of God’s words to Jeremiah on a scroll by Baruch!  Unfortunately, that first scroll gets burned. Pretty crazy to think about King Jehoiakim listening to God’s words in the scroll and then burning it as he listens…  I love how today’s readings end in verse 32:  “Then Jeremiah took another scroll and dictated again to his secretary Baruch. He wrote everything that had been on the scroll King Jehoiakim had burned in the fire. Only this time, he added much more!” You better believe God had Jeremiah add much more to the 2nd scroll after King Jehoiakim cut up and burned the first scroll!

Worship Video – Today’s readings reminded me of the Steven Curtis Chapman song “Love take me over:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn5mi5G9RQY

Has love taken you over?  Click here for true Love!

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

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Jeremiah 33:1-34:22
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Today in our readings we get the famous Jeremiah 33:3 verse: “‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’” (NIV)  Verses 15 & 16 are powerful Messianic verses, harkening back to Jeremiah 23:6 (The Lord Our Righteousness): “In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness.”

Verse 22 is a great verse echoing the covenant promises to Abraham: “I will make the descendants of David my servant and the Levites who minister before me as countless as the stars of the sky and as measureless as the sand on the seashore.”

Verse 18 threw me for a loop initially, trying to figure out how this could still be – “nor will the priests, who are Levites, ever fail to have a man to stand before me continually to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings and to present sacrifices.’” I wondered – where are the Levites today? Fortunately, I read a commentary that set me straight – Jesus is fulfilling this ministry for us today! Jesus is our Levitical priest standing before God continually. Beautiful, eh?  Do you consider Jesus to be your High Priest?

Jeremiah chapter 34 is interesting with the freedom for the slaves – and then the reversal of that decision. Could this story remind us of our lives at times? Do we sometimes promise God that we’ll do something he wants us to do? Maybe even start to do it? And then change our minds?  Why are we not consistent with what we tell God we will do?  Let us pray for consistency in our spiritual walk!

YouTube:  I’ve had a lot of great conversations lately with people about the power of not only reading Scripture, but actually listening to it!  I know many of you are following along in our One Year Bible readings using the Tom Dooley link or are listening on Bible Gateway.  A few years ago I listened to the Bible using “The Bible Experience.” It is fantastic – see the video below for an overview. Does anyone have any other audio Bible versions you could recommend in the Comments section below?  Thanks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM9JTjI39Co

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!

Glory to God!
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Jeremiah 31:27-32:44
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Jeremiah chapter 31 today is encouraging reading!  It seems we’ve rounded the corner from the coming destruction and captivity prophecies in the book of Jeremiah, and God is now speaking about rebuilding Jerusalem. We get a good Messianic foreshadowing today in verse 31: “”The day will come,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah.” The new covenant is coming!

Today in Jeremiah 31:33 we read: “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.” This verse reminds me of the importance in memorizing scripture – not just reading scripture, but memorizing it and writing it upon our hearts. I have been amazed oftentimes how Proverbs 3:5-6 comes to my mind and heart at some very needed and specific times. (if you can only memorize 2 scripture verses, please memorize these Proverbs verses) Do you memorize scripture? Do you not just memorize it, but internalize its teachings and meanings into your heart?  Do you see the value in memorizing scripture and writing it upon your heart?

Jeremiah Chapter 32 is intriguing. God asks Jeremiah to buy land – even though all of the land of Jerusalem will soon fall under captivity. Jeremiah is – once again – obedient. God goes on in this chapter to indeed confirm that Jerusalem will fall – but that God will eventually restore the Israelites back to Jerusalem and buying and selling of land will occur again. Interesting chapter. The call to Jeremiah to buy land was to set the stage for reminding the Israelites that they will soon lose this ability, but it will come back to them again eventually.  I like this example.  What about you in your life today – is there anything God is asking you to be obedient in?  Even if you perhaps won’t see an “immediate” return on your investment of your obedience, will you obey God?  Is the eternal return on your investment of obedience worth it?  Below is an image of Jeremiah in the court of the prison buying his kinsman’s field from today’s readings:

Worship Video:  Today’s reading reminds me “Jesus Paid It All” by Kristian Stanfill:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FHwdx5BIvc

Do you believe that Jesus Paid It All for you?  Click here and receive payment on your debt!

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

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Jeremiah 30:1-31:26
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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? 

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of the MercyMe song “All of Creation:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UADsz7ToO8w

Are you singing with all of creation? Click here and sing!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” Jeremiah 31:25 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray for rest, in the Lord. Pray for satisfaction, in the Lord. Pray you will not seek rest or satisfaction apart from the Lord.

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

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Jeremiah 28:1-29:32
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In our Jeremiah readings today we get two different declarations of how long the exile to Babylon will last – 2 years versus 70 years!  Just a slight difference…  Of course we simply need to look at which of the declarations are coming from a false prophet (Hananiah, 2 yrs) versus a true prophet of God’s (Jeremiah, 70 yrs).  Biblical scholars debate the exact dates of when this 70 years of captivity in Babylon took place: 1)  605 to 538 B.C. would cover the first deportation until the arrival of the first exiles back in Jerusalem.  2) 586 to 516 B.C. would cover the time between the destruction of the temple and its rebuilding.  3) Some believe the number 70 was an approximate number meant to signify a lifetime.

Jeremiah chapter 28 has a good lesson for us in the false prophet Hananiah. I think we need to be careful when we use words like, “God says”, or “this is God’s will”, or “I know God will do x, y, and z.” Hananiah was using words like this… and he may have really thought this to be true… but he was wrong big-time. And paid a big price. I’m thinking in our lives it might be better to say, “God-willing, this hopefully will happen…” or “I believe God is leading me this way. I pray I’m right” – and then be prepared to adjust if we realize it wasn’t quite the right way. I’m sure most of us are seeking God’s will for our lives. We maybe should be cautious on making declarative statements on precisely what God’s will is for our lives?   Let us instead simply try to follow God’s lead in our life each and every day and trust that his lead will take us where he wants us to go.

Jeremiah 29:8-9 today tells us: “The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says, “Do not let the prophets and mediums who are there in Babylon trick you. Do not listen to their dreams because they prophesy lies in my name. I have not sent them,” says the Lord.”  My thought on these verses is that often times I think that we too are tricked by lies that the world is often selling us. “Money, Power, Status, Sex-Appeal, etc. etc. are things to be strived for above all else” are the type of things that I think we often hear. But, are these True? Or are they tricks – are they lies? Will you find emptiness or happiness in what the world is selling you? Where can you find True happiness and peace? I think these questions are answered for us today in verses 11-13: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me.”  Are you looking for God in earnest?  If you’ve found God, are you following Him alone and not the tricksters of this world?  Do you believe that God has a beautiful plan for you and your life?  A plan much better than any plan you could dream up on your own?

Video:  The great news of Jeremiah 29:11 reminded me of the great Christian movie called “Facing the Giants.” Have you seen this movie yet?  My wife and I just watched it for the first time a couple of weeks ago on DVD and loved it.  It’s made by the same folks that made the movie “Fireproof.”  Here’s a trailer for it, below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xneiV7Ru6Q

Are you facing the giants in your life?  Click here and face the giants!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving that the Lord knows His plans that He has for you! Pray in thanksgiving that the Lord plans to prosper you and to give you a hope and a future, through your saving faith as Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

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

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!