June 19 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 170

DAILY READINGS

Jeremiah 7-9 & Psalm 15

DAILY NOTES

Jeremiah 7

Notice the emphasis of God's house having God's name. It belongs to God, but the people, through their unrighteous actions, have made it theirs. God's house has been turned into a "den of robbers" (vs. 11). Remember when Jesus said that (Matthew 21:13)?

According to Jesus, what was the Temple supposed to be called?

Remember when the people tried to use the ark of the covenant as a weapon against the Philistines (1 Samuel 4)? That was at Shiloh. Jeremiah brings that event to our minds again as a sign (vs. 14).
God says that human sacrifice was not his command, nor did it come to his mind. You'll have to do some wrestling with the story of Abraham almost sacrificing Isaac (Genesis 22).

Jeremiah 8

Jeremiah (God) says to unearth the kings' bones and lay them before the sun and moon and all the other gods they served and worshiped. Ouch.
Even animals understand the purpose of their life.
Gilead was a place where healing balms were made. Because of the people's waywardness, Jeremiah could see no end to their destruction; not even the healing of Gilead.

Jeremiah 9

Apparently, wailing women were hired to show grief during times of loss; think of funerals, for example. We see some of that in Jesus' ministry. Jeremiah recognizes there is much to mourn for and calls for the professionals.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Obedience, at its core, is actually quite simple.

God isn't asking the people to figure out some new plan to be faithful to God. It isn't Rocket Science--Rocket Science hadn't even been invented yet. Obedience is being faithful to what God has told them to do. You can't be obedient to something you haven't been told to do. God has told the people what to do. They have refused.

Obedience is still the most important aspect of our walk with God, too. Here's the best way I can think to illustrate it:

Stay blessed...john

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April 11 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 101 The great prophet Elijah leaves the scene (He'll appear again later. Do you remember where?). Elisha takes his place and immediately begins to act as prophet among the people. DAILY READINGS 2 Kings 1-3 & Psalm 101 DAILY NOTES 2 Kings 1 King Ahaziah is injured and he wants to know if he'll live. He seeks input from the prophets of Baal-zebub. Elijah finds out and interrupts Ahaziah's men from going to the prophets. Notice that Elijah, that hairy man, is divinely protected by the captain and his men. Ahazia never hears from the prophets. Elijah speaks directly to him to tell him that he will surely die. 2 Kings 2 Where did the idea of a whirlwind come from? Did anyone expect that Elijah would be taken "to heaven by a whirlwind"? Everyone seems to know that today Elijah will be gone. Elisha's command to the band of prophets seems to indicate his sense of loss but also a vigor within himself; he is standing up to

March 29 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 88 Now that Israel has one king, it's a good time to consider the role of Israel's messiah. Check out today's Bible Project video that explains how Jesus fits the narrative of messiah. DAILY READINGS 2 Samuel 4-8 & Psalm 88 DAILY NOTES 2 Samuel 4-5 The murder of Ishbaal, Saul's surviving son, prompts all the people to anoint David king over the entire kingdom. Notice that over the last several chapters, David does not approve of these political murders. The first act of David, as the narrative is concerned, is to stand against the Jebusites. These are the people Joshua did not drive away (Joshua 15:63). As a result of their conquest, David makes Jerusalem the capital of the kingdom. David continues to rise in stature and respect. 2 Samuel 6 After establishing Jerusalem as the capital, David's next effort is to bring the ark to the capital. It is the nation's most sacred object and it belongs in the nation's capital. I

February 26 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 57 Today's Bible Project video centers on what the Bible means when it speaks of the heart. DAILY READINGS Deuteronomy 13-14 & Psalm 57 DAILY NOTES Deuteronomy 13 Any prophet or "dreamer of dreams" lead you away from God to other gods, he is to be put to death. That person has, among other things, spoken "treason" or "falsehood" against God. The same thing should happen to "anyone" who tempts you in secret to follow another God, even if that anyone is a family member. Notice that you're not even to show them "pity or compassion" or even try to protect them. The text (Verse 13) says to watch for scoundrels--literally, sons of decadence. If they are found to be leading people away from God, they are to be put to do as well, and all those of their town that followed them. Deuteronomy 14 The Isrealites were to remain a distinctive people. They were not to follow the customs or practices o

The Bible Project @ Kelsey

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