Chronological Bible Blog

Ezekiel 14:1-16:63
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Ezekiel 14 verse 3 I believe can definitely speak to us today: “Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that lead them into sin.”  This is scary to think about…  Have we set up idols in our hearts?  Have we embraced things that lead us into sin?  Think this is a good idea… ?  Can we turn these idols in our hearts over to the Lord?  It is my hunch that an idol set up in our hearts is one of the toughest things to get rid of.  We need Jesus in our lives to free us idols.  Will you let Jesus remove any idol that is in your heart this very day?  Please don’t let that idol hang around in your heart any longer…

I am fascinated by God’s words in Ezekiel chapter 14 verses 13 & 14 today:  “Son of man, suppose the people of a country were to sin against me, and I lifted my fist to crush them, cutting off their food supply and sending a famine to destroy both people and animals. Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, says the Sovereign Lord.”  The first thing these verses tell us is that God’s judgment upon Jerusalem at this time was certain.  Even the righteousness of Noah, Daniel, and Job couldn’t change that – only these 3 men would have been saved.  However, this got me thinking.  Is it possible that sometimes today we try to build up our own righteousness to ensure our own salvation and basically do nothing to try to build up others righteousness and help them toward their salvation?  Meaning, do we sometimes retreat into a “Christian bubble” and ignore the rest of “the world.”  Leave them to their own devices.  It just made me think when reading about Noah, Daniel, and Job that my hunch is that these 3 would not just chill out and relax in the glory and certitude of their own righteousness.  My hunch is that they would get out there on the streets and try to save others.  So, what about you and me?  Are we just cocooning in our own righteousness and salvation, or are we taking salvation to the streets?  Are we retreating from the battle for others’ salvation or are we engaged in it?  What say you?

Ezekiel chapter 14 verse 23 tells us today:  “When you meet them and see their behavior, you will agree that these things are not being done to Israel without cause, says the Sovereign LORD.”  I think sometimes we can read some select verses in the Old Testament out of context and think God is being harsh.  God here reminds us that he is not being harsh without cause.  And we’ll see more of the cause in chapter 16 today…  Below is an image of Ezekiel prophesying to the elders who visited him in chapter 14 verse 1:

Ezekiel chapter 15 is an interesting one for me today, where God basically calls Jerusalem a useless grape vine.  In reading this I am also reminded that Jesus in John 15 uses the grape vine analogy again saying “I am the vine and you are the branches.”  This tells me that Jesus redeems even useless grape vines!  🙂  However, using this Ezekiel analogy, are we growing in our lives like trees or like vines?  How thick are your roots?  How solid is your core?

Ezekiel chapter 16 is a fascinating and sad look at the city of Jerusalem.  This is the first time I have really spent a little bit of time with this chapter.  The question I find for myself in reading this chapter is this: has God blessed us similarly in some ways that he blessed Jerusalem?  Have we, perhaps, in some ways used the blessings that God has given us in improper ways?   Verse 6 in this chapter stood out to me: “But I came by and saw you there, helplessly kicking about in your own blood. As you lay there, I said, `Live!’”  Bible commentaries suggest that this one word – Live! – is God’s basic desire for all humans.  How powerful is that realization?  How very beautiful…  Live!  Let us Live!

Worship God:  Ezekiel 16:6’s call to “Live!” reminded me of Casting Crowns wonderful worship tune called “Lifesong.”  Let this be our prayer today – “Let my lifesong sing to you!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEwB0pkes7U

Is your lifesong singing to God? Click here and start Singing!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

Ezekiel 10:1-13:23
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Ezekiel’s vision of the Lord in Jerusalem continues today in chapters 10 and 11 as the glory of the Lord first leaves the Temple and then leaves Jerusalem completely! This is a big deal as the glory of the Lord had pretty much been in the Temple since it’s construction. We are also visited by the cherubim again in these chapters – check out the November 1st readings calendar link below/left for more commentary on the cherubim.  I really like this artwork by Priscilla Silver called “The Four Faced Cherubim” –

Today in chapter 11 verse 13 we read – “While I was still speaking, Pelatiah son of Benaiah suddenly died. Then I fell face down in the dust and cried out, “O Sovereign LORD, are you going to kill everyone in Israel?””

Chapter 11 verses 19 & 20 stood out to me today, with a message for the exiles in Babylon – “I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their hearts of stone and give them tender hearts instead, so they will obey my laws and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.” How are our hearts today? Are they tender? Single in their focus on God? Do we have a new Spirit within us?

Ezekiel chapter 12 today reminds me that sometimes in my own life I believe God sends some signs and warnings and I, like the Israelites in exile in Babylon, can be a rebel.  I ignore the signs and warnings or think – oh, that won’t come to pass for a long time…    Do you suppose this is wise?   Is there a sign or a warning God may be sending your way in your life currently?  Will you listen and obey?  Will you pay attention to God’s warning signs in your life?

I love the story of Ezekiel packing up his pack in broad daylight and leaving through a hole in his house during the evening in chapter 12 today!  In verse 7 we read – “So I did as I was told. In broad daylight I brought my pack outside, filled with the things I might carry into exile. Then in the evening while the people looked on, I dug through the wall with my hands and went out into the darkness with my pack on my shoulder.”

It is interesting that in chapter 12 God says three times: “Then you/they will know that I am the LORD!”  Why do you think he repeats this three times in this chapter?  Should this be a statement we should consider in our own lives?   Who is the Lord of your life – yourself or God?   Do you know that God is the Lord?   Is God consistently in the very center of your life?

Ezekiel chapter 13 verse 2 stood out to me today: “Son of man, speak against the false prophets of Israel who are inventing their own prophecies. Tell them to listen to the word of the LORD.” Do we see this in our world today?  People inventing their own prophecies?  Inventing their own religions?  Picking and choosing what philosophies they like the best?  Do we do this?  Should we be listening instead to the Word of the Lord?  Are you actively involved in a church where the Word is clearly taught and Jesus is clearly the cornerstone?

Worship God: Today’s readings in Ezekiel reminds me of the importance of the message in the Kutless song “Sea of Faces:”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLHE4P-B2FA

Are you lost in a sea of faces? Click here to be Found!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

Ezekiel 5:1-9:11
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Ezekiel chapter 5 today gets into God’s signs of the coming siege and judgment of Jerusalem and Israel. The thing that went through my mind when reading all of this was the 3rd commandment from Exodus chapter 20, verses 4-6:  "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments."  The term in these verses "jealous God" did come to my mind when reading Ezekiel 4 and 5. And not in a bad way. But, just in the way it was. God commanded no idols. Israel/Jerusalem created idols and did not repent after repeated warnings. God was "jealous" of all of this, and the siege and judgment came.

Ezekiel chapter 6 continues along the lines of chapters 4 & 5 – with judgment against the very land of Israel because of the pagan shrines. Verses 8 & 9 stood out to me in this chapter: ""But I will let a few of my people escape destruction, and they will be scattered among the nations of the world. Then when they are exiled among the nations, they will remember me. They will recognize how grieved I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long for other gods. Then at last they will hate themselves for all their wickedness." Here we see that God will preserve the Davidic line – and that the Israelites will eventually repent, and the nation will eventually be restored (as we know in hindsight now). Verse 10 in this chapter also seems to sum up a lot of what’s going on in God’s mind in today’s readings in Ezekiel: "They will know that I alone am the LORD and that I was serious when I predicted that all this would happen to them."  Do we know that God is alone the Lord in our lives today? Do we trust his Word and his predictions without a doubt?

Ezekiel chapter 7 has a line that repeats twice in verses 4 & 27: “Then you/they will know that I am the LORD!”  We are seeing here that God is not happy with Israel in large part because they do not realize that he is the Lord. They have sold out to other gods and idols and sin and don’t really think God will do much about it. Well, God opens this chapter with strong words in verse 1: “The end is here!” God’s patience has run out. But, keep in mind that God kept trying to get the Israelites to repent over and over and over again. They wouldn’t.  Do we sometimes test God’s patience? If so, will we repent in the areas of our life where we test God’s patience?

Ezekiel chapter 8 reminds me of a lawyer making a case in court! And God absolutely puts forth a strong case for why the end arrived for Jerusalem in the 5th/6th century B.C. It is so sad to see these sins take place in and around the Temple. In chapter 9 we see six angels of God appear from the north gates – where one of the major idols was located. In this vision, these 6 angels are carrying out God’s judgment on Israel. Verse 7 gives us a hint that God is preparing to leave the Temple completely: “”Defile the Temple!” the LORD commanded.”  We’ll pick this up in tomorrow’s readings…  Below is an artist’s interpretation of Ezekiel’s visit to Jerusalem:  (I realize this is one of the more “unique” pieces of art I have posted up – just wait until we get to the book of Revelation! 🙂

Worship God: Today’s readings in Ezekiel reminds me of the importance of the message in the beautiful Hillsong song “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus:”

Are your eyes looking at Jesus? Click here to turn your eyes toward Him!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

Ezekiel 3:16-4:17; Jeremiah 27-28:17; Jeremiah 51:59-64
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In Ezekiel chapter 3 today God appoints Ezekiel as a watchman for Israel! This might sound pretty good at first… but there are some serious ramifications for Ezekiel to follow through with what God asks Ezekiel to do. My thoughts based on this chapter – Are there times in our lives where God asks us to do something that may sound good at first, but then turns out to be harder than we initially thought it would be? With potential some serious ramifications?  If so, do you quit? Or do you forge ahead with what God asks of you?  Will you stay within God’s will for your life – even when the going gets tough?  If God calls you to be a watch-person, will you be obedient to the call?

Jeremiah Chapter 27 seems to be a chapter of “obedience” to me. Jeremiah is called once again to be obedient to preach – and to wear an ox yoke this time!  And the people of Judah are called to be obedient to the Babylonian conquest. Let it happen. Be exiled. And eventually you will return. Fight this call to obedience – and you will die. I know obedience is not a very popular term in our culture today. But, I do think it is still so relevant to our relationship with God. In what area of your life is God calling you to be obedient? Will you be obedient?  Below is a portrait by Guy Rowe of Jeremiah’s obedience of wearing a yoke from today’s readings:

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.

Worship God: Today’s readings remind me of the Switchfoot song “Dare You to Move:”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEDkNZZU1X4

Are you moving with God? Click here – I dare you to move!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

Jeremiah 37:11-38:28; Ezekiel 1:1-3:15
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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…."

Today we begin the book of the prophet Ezekiel!  Ezekiel is a prophet whose name means “God strengthens” – which is clearly a good thing for those in the prophet business. We’ve recently wrapped up the book of Jeremiah and are well aware of the challenges facing a prophet. The interesting thing to note is that Jeremiah was prophesying in Judah, whereas Ezekiel was prophesying in Babylon to the exiles from Judah. These two were doing their work at about the same time, but in different geographies. Ezekiel gets his call to be a prophet in probably his 30th year of life – the age when most of the priestly line were called to be priests. Instead, Ezekiel was called to be a prophet – which, is probably a good thing because he is living in exile in Babylon – so wouldn’t have been able to perform the priestly duties at the Temple in Jerusalem. Ezekiel’s call comes in 593 B.C., which is 7 years prior to the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple. Ezekiel’s ministry goes until 571 B.C., at the age of 52. (which is 2 years beyond what most priests would have served – from ages 30 to 50).  Below is a portrait of Ezekiel by artist Guy Rowe:

~ Ezekiel ~
Author: Ezekiel
Date: Sixth century B.C.
Content: Ezekiel, who grew up as a priest, was carried off to Babylon with the Jewish exiles deported in 597 B.C., and there he became a prophet of God. His message was one of coming judgment for those remaining in Jerusalem, but his preaching was not well received by the Jews who were with him in captivity. When his dire predictions came true in 586 B.C. with the destruction of Jerusalem, the people listened then on with great earnestness. His message changed at this point from being one of unbending judgment to one of comfort and hope for the future. The worst had come; it was now time to make plans for beginning again. Ezekiel saw himself as a shepherd and watchman over Israel. As a shepherd, he was to protect the people, but as a watchman, he was to warn of danger ahead.
Theme: The message of Ezekiel is based upon the unchangeable holiness of God. This is both a promise and a warning. It is a warning because God has promised to remain faithful to his people and this will not change. The book of Ezekiel shows God’s unbreakable promise fulfilled in both respects: the city fell according to promise because of Judah’s sin, and the city would be restored according to promise because of God’s faithfulness. The lives of God’s people determined how God would treat them. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 14)  A wonderful commentary on the book of Ezekiel by Bob Deffinbaugh is at this link.  Below is a sculpture of Ezekiel by German sculptor Johann Josef Christian (1706 – 1777):

In today’s readings, chapter 1 is an incredible vision and call that Ezekiel receives! Obviously the flying creatures with 4 faces and wings are a highlight of this vision. What is up with these you ask? Good question. They are called “cherubim” later in the book of Ezekiel (chapter 10) and are also thought to be the creatures in Isaiah called seraphs – and they show up again in the book of Revelation. If you get a vision, and you see these creatures, you know something big is going on… 🙂 The interesting thing about these creatures is that their four faces representing a human, lion, ox and an eagle have many interpretations, which all basically relate to the nature of God. An interesting interpretation I read was that these 4 represent the 4 Gospels – Matthew being the lion, Mark being the ox, Luke being the human and John being the eagle. You’ll have to pick up a commentary to read more on why these analogies have been made…. (just trying to get everyone to dive into books beyond this blog… 🙂  Below is the artist Rafaelo’s oil painting of “The Vision of Ezekiel” from the year 1518 (Galleria Palatina (Palazzo Pitti), Florence)-

Ezekiel Chapter 2 is God’s Call and Commission of Ezekiel. Don’t we all wish that God could be this clear with us about the purpose of our lives sometimes? 🙂

Ezekiel Chapter 3 has the great narrative of Ezekiel eating the scroll of God. And it tasting like honey – even though it had words of doom upon it.  In Ezekiel 3:3 we read: “Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.” Can we eat of the Word of God?  Does the Word nourish us?  How does the Word nourish us?  Is the Word nourishing you today?  Is it as sweet as honey?  Is the Word literally spiritual food?  Will you eat of God’s Holy Word, the Bible, today – and every day of your life?

Then, in Ezekiel 3 verse 15 ends with a very appropriate line I believe- “I sat there among them for seven days, overwhelmed.” Think you’d be overwhelmed if you experienced chapters 1 & 2?? Whew. I am looking forward to us starting the book of Ezekiel! Thanks for joining me on this journey!  Below is one final image of Ezekiel from the artist Michelangelo.  This one’s in the Sistine Chapel in Rome:

Worship God:  Today’s readings in Ezekiel reminds me of the wonderful Selah video and song “You Raise Me Up:”

Has God raised you up? Click here for Resurrection!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

Jeremiah 51:15-58; 2 Chronicles 36:10; 2 Kings 24:10-17; 1 Chronicles 3:10-16; 2 Chronicles 36:11-14; Jeremiah 52:1-3; 2 Kings 24:18-20; Jeremiah 37:1-10
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today’s Scripture on ESVBible.org ~

Jeremiah Chapter 51 dives into Babylon’s destruction! Lately we’ve been basically just looking at Babylon the city & empire and Nebuchadnezzar from the historical perspective – though, certainly seeing where and how God has been interacting with Babylon. I think it might be a good point here to consider the spiritual connotations of Babylon. A great place to begin this conversation is in Revelation Chapters 17 & 18 where Babylon is discussed.  I won’t go into trying to interpret these two chapters of Revelation today… 🙂 We have yet to get to Revelation later this year in the One Year Bible! But, these two chapters may give you some more insight into the spiritual meaning of the term Babylon. If you do want to read more about Babylon in context of these two Revelation chapters, check out this link for an interesting commentary.  Below is an image of Babylon before its destruction…

It is interesting in the middle of Jeremiah 51 we have a few verses of a hymn of praise to God – verses 15 through 19. Again, in verse 18, idols are mentioned and can be assumed as one of the prime reasons of Babylon’s destruction: "Idols are worthless; they are lies! The time is coming when they will all be destroyed." Do you believe that idols are worthless? Are they lies?  What are some of our modern day idols that are worthless and lies?  Are you rejecting worshiping any and all of our modern day idols and focusing your worship and time and love toward God and Jesus?  Please, leave those worthless idols behind… and don’t pick them up ever again!

The other thing to note in this chapter is that earlier in Jeremiah we read about the coming destruction of Jerusalem – but always with the note of ultimate redemption. In this chapter with Babylon, and other chapters discussing Babylon, there is no redemption for Babylon. This city will not be restored…  Below is artist John Martin’s "Fall of Babylon" from Illustrations from the Bible, 1835:

Worship God: Today’s readings in Jeremiah chapter 51 reminds me of Chris Tomlin’s song “Holy is the Lord”:

Is the joy of the Lord your strength? Click here for Strength!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

Jeremiah 31:15-40; Jeremiah 49:34-51:14
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Wow, Jeremiah 31 gives so much joy to my heart to read it, as the promises of deliverance and hope of restoration are given by God!  In Jeremiah chapter 31 verses 15 through 17 today we read – "This is what the LORD says: "A cry of anguish is heard in Ramah–mourning and weeping unrestrained. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted–for her children are dead." But now the LORD says, "Do not weep any longer, for I will reward you. Your children will come back to you from the distant land of the enemy. There is hope for your future," says the LORD. "Your children will come again to their own land."

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

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

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

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?

We have quite the readings in Jeremiah chapter 49 & 50 today!  The prophecies have turned from Judah and Jerusalem and are now directed toward their neighbors and toward their captors, Babylon.  The map below will give you a good overview of the Babylonian empire in the 6th century B.C.:

Jeremiah 50 does not bode well for Babylon!  It is interesting, in that King Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon have played a large role in sacking Jerusalem & Judah – to discipline them for their sins. And now the tide is coming back toward Babylon. Verse 28 really stood out to me today as a clear indication that destroying the Temple in Jerusalem was a really really bad idea for Babylon…  "Listen to the people who have escaped from Babylon, as they tell in Jerusalem how the Lord our God has taken vengeance against those who destroyed his Temple."  Below is a miniature from the 15th century French artist Fouquet that shows Nebuchadnezzar´s army attacking the Temple in Jerusalem in 586 B.C.  (though this is quite an artistic interpretation of the  Temple…)

Chapter 50 does bode well for Israel & Judah – verses 4 & 5 tell us: "Then the people of Israel and Judah will join together," says the LORD, "weeping and seeking the LORD their God. They will ask the way to Jerusalem and will start back home again. They will bind themselves to the LORD with an eternal covenant that will never again be broken." How often do we weep and seek the Lord?  Should we ever literally weep and seek God?  Can we learn something about the power of weeping from the people of Israel and Judah on how we can bind ourselves to God with an eternal covenant that will never be broken?

Worship God: Today’s readings in Jeremiah 31 reminded me of the Newsboys song song “Shine.” Here’s a great live high energy version of this song!

Do you want to shine? Click here and Shine!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

Jeremiah 23:33-24:10; Jeremiah 29:1-31:14
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Jeremiah Chapter 24 and the good and bad figs is interesting. It’s interesting in that the captives that end up in Babylon are the good figs – and those that stay behind in Judah & Jerusalem are the bad. You might think the opposite would be true. But, it seems that the 70 years of captivity coming up in Babylon will be a "refining" process for those Israelites, and will bring them back closer to God, before returning to the land.  In verse 1 we read: "After King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon exiled Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, to Babylon along with the princes of Judah and all the skilled craftsmen, the LORD gave me this vision. I saw two baskets of figs placed in front of the LORD’s Temple in Jerusalem."

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?

Worship God:  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, and you can learn more about the movie at www.FacingTheGiants.com.

Are you facing giants in your life? Click here for the One who can defeat all 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)

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

Jeremiah 49:1-33; 2 Kings 24:5-7; 2 Chronicles 36:6-8; 2 Kings 24:8-9; 2 Chronicles 36:9; Jeremiah 22:24-23:32
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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:

Today in Jeremiah we read about one of the last Old Testament era kings to sit on the throne of David in Judah!  This was King Jehoiachin and God makes it clear that this is one of Judah’s last Davidic kings (with Zedekiah being governor/king of Judah briefly subsequently) in chapter 22 verse 30: “This is what the Lord says: ‘Let the record show that this man Jehoiachin was childless. He is a failure, for none of his children will succeed him on the throne of David to rule over Judah.’” Immediately after reading about this king of Judah, Jeremiah 23:1-8 gives us a great Messianic foreshadowing of Jesus, the true and eternal Davidic king! Verses 5 & 6: “For the time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will place a righteous Branch on King David’s throne. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. And this is his name: `The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’ In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety.” Great stuff! A righteous branch on King David’s throne…. rules with wisdom… will do what is just and right throughout the land… Think this is Jesus??

The remaining verses in Jeremiah 23 go after false prophets. I know in reading Jeremiah I’ve been pondering how hard it would be to be Jeremiah, a prophet with some tough messages.  Well, in this chapter it looks like being a false prophet is really the wrong way to live. If you’re gonna be a prophet, make sure you’re prophesying the truth… 🙂   Do you think there are any false prophets in our world today?  Do you avoid listening to the teachings of false prophets in our world today?  (other than if you need to listen to what they say to repudiate it)  Can we sometimes even be false prophets to our own selves and others on occasion?  Who can free us from the lies of false prophets?  (see the image above – not the modern day false prophets image below…)

Worship God: Today’s readings reminded me of Rebecca St. James’ song “Wait for Me”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooAi3KJ5I-s

Are you waiting on God’s timing in your life? Click here and wait for Him no longer!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

Jeremiah 16:1-18:23; Jeremiah 35:1-19
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There are a lot of great verses in Jeremiah’s readings today!  Jeremiah 17:5 stands out: "Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the Lord."  I think oftentimes we put more trust in others than the Lord – our spouses, our pastors, our friends, our family, and even ourselves. The risk here is that people are human and are not perfect. They will eventually disappoint at some point. God is the only perfect option to place our ultimate trust in. I do think we can still "trust" others to a degree – marriage of course being a prime example of this trust in another human. But, marriage will really only ultimately work if God is the "third cord" in the marriage (see Ecclesiastes 4:12).  Overall, this verse wisely cautions that our highest level of trust should be reserved for God! Who will not fail us.  Ever. Who do you trust these days the most?  Do you trust God above anything or anyone else?  Do you trust God more than you trust yourself?

Jeremiah 17:7-8 has some great imagery! ""But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit." These verses remind me a lot of Psalm 1, verses 1 through 3.  Is God your hope and confidence?  If so, do you feel like a tree planted along a riverbank with roots that reach deep into the water?  How deep are your roots in God’s living water these days?

Jeremiah 17:19-27 are some powerful verses on the Sabbath! I talk a lot with my friends about taking Sabbaths. I am really bad at it… and I know I need it. And I know my friends need it too. I’ll have to remember verse 27 next time I’m having the Sabbath discussions with my friends… 🙂  "`But if you do not listen to me and refuse to keep the Sabbath holy, and if on the Sabbath day you bring loads of merchandise through the gates of Jerusalem just as on other days, then I will set fire to these gates. The fire will spread to the palaces, and no one will be able to put out the roaring flames.’"  How are you doing on taking a Sabbath each week?  What would your response be to a modern day Jeremiah standing at the gate and telling you to keep one day a week as a holy day unto the Lord?

I like this verse in Jeremiah 18:15 – "They have stumbled off the ancient highways of good, and they walk the muddy paths of sin." I like that metaphor – the ancient highways of good. These sound nice! You want to be on these. And not veering off into the muddy paths of sin…

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?

YouTube: Today’s readings remind me of Casting Crowns song “If We are the Body.”  Here’s a live version of this powerful song:

Are you part of the Body? Click here to join God’s Body!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!