Jeremiah 20

A fire inside...

WEEK   10                                      Jeremiah 20 

SATURDAY  Reflections

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,”

Serving God is often not easy. Jesus warned his disciples that persecution would come and that most would die. Jeremiah felt weakness and some despair over his mistreatment. God didn't tell him to get up and stand like a man. God didn't warn him like he did Ezekiel that judgment would fall on him if he didn't prophecy. God didn't try to inspire him with a vision like Isaiah. God gave Jeremiah what he needed, a fire in his bones. He made it so he couldn't be still.

 

God will give each of us what we need to fulfill His purpose. Just as He used different methods to strengthen and motivate His prophets so He will us today. I don't want a fire in my bones, I want what God knows I need to complete His call. Nothing less, nothing more.

Jer 20:1-18
(1)  Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.
(2)  Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD.
(3)  And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, The LORD hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magormissabib.
(4)  For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it: and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive into Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword.
(5)  Moreover I will deliver all the strength of this city, and all the labours thereof, and all the precious things thereof, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies, which shall spoil them, and take them, and carry them to Babylon.
(6)  And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.
(7)  O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.
(8)  For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.
(9)  Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
(10)  For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.
(11)  But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.
(12)  But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.
(13)  Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.
(14)  Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.
(15)  Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad.
(16)  And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide;
(17)  Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me.
(18)  Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?

Acts 20

WEEK   10                                              Acts 20

THURSDAY  Reflections

“And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:22-24)

It’s going to be bad, very bad. Okay, let’s go!

This isn’t the normal conversation most people have. Usually, if something bad is coming to the smart thing to do is get out of the way. I don’t think God is against that idea. God isn’t impressed if we put ourselves in harm's way and then expect Him to bail us out. Scripture does say, “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty” (Proverbs 22:3;27:12). I am not impressed with those who take out a large mortgage, marry poorly, or overeat and then expect God to fix it. This isn’t where Paul was.

Paul was warned but he felt compelled to go. This wasn’t God saying don’t go. This was God warning Paul the road was going to be hard. It reminds me of the latter part of Isaiah 6 when God warned Isaiah that at the end of his ministry it would look like all was lost. For Isaiah, though the cities and nation would be desolate there would be a remnant faithful to God. For Paul, it was the promise of finishing his course and testifying to the truth of the Gospel.

Jesus never promised that everything would be easy for us there are times when we will have to face adversity, but if we are faithful God will work it for good (Romans 8:28).



Act 20:1-38
(1)  And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
(2)  And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
(3)  And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
(4)  And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
(5)  These going before tarried for us at Troas.
(6)  And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.
(7)  And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
(8)  And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
(9)  And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
(10)  And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
(11)  When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
(12)  And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
(13)  And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.
(14)  And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.
(15)  And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.
(16)  For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
(17)  And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
(18)  And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
(19)  Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
(20)  And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
(21)  Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
(22)  And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
(23)  Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
(24)  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
(25)  And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
(26)  Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
(27)  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
(28)  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
(29)  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
(30)  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
(31)  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
(32)  And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
(33)  I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
(34)  Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
(35)  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
(36)  And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
(37)  And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

(38)  Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

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Psalm 78

WEEK   10                                              Psalm 78  

THURSDAY  Reflections

This Psalm gives an overview of the history of Israel. Verses 60-67 give an insight into 1 Samuel 5 which I find interesting. This prompted me to change the days' readings. I believe you will appreciate it.

According to this chapter, God wasn't an unwitting party. God used the disobedience of Israel to put the ark in a place where he could "smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach." I laughed at reading this, but on a serious note, God allowed the capture of the Ark to demonstrate His power and to prepare the way for David to take the throne and bring the Ark to Jerusalem.

God isn't a bystander in history. Even with our free will he still is sovereign. 

Psa 78:1-72
(1)  Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
(2)  I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
(3)  Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
(4)  We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
(5)  For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
(6)  That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
(7)  That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:
(8)  And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
(9)  The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
(10)  They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;
(11)  And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.
(12)  Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
(13)  He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.
(14)  In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.
(15)  He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.
(16)  He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.
(17)  And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.
(18)  And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.
(19)  Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?
(20)  Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?
(21)  Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;
(22)  Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:
(23)  Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,
(24)  And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.
(25)  Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.
(26)  He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.
(27)  He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:
(28)  And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations.
(29)  So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;
(30)  They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths,
(31)  The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.
(32)  For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.
(33)  Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.
(34)  When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.
(35)  And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.
(36)  Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.
(37)  For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.
(38)  But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.
(39)  For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.
(40)  How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!
(41)  Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
(42)  They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.
(43)  How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan:
(44)  And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink.
(45)  He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.
(46)  He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust.
(47)  He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost.
(48)  He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.
(49)  He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.
(50)  He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;
(51)  And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:
(52)  But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
(53)  And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
(54)  And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.
(55)  He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
(56)  Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:
(57)  But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
(58)  For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.
(59)  When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:
(60)  So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men;
(61)  And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand.
(62)  He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance.
(63)  The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.
(64)  Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.
(65)  Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.
(66)  And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.
(67)  Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:
(68)  But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.
(69)  And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.
(70)  He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:
(71)  From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
(72)  So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

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1 Samuel 5

Winning doesn't make you the winner.

WEEK   10                                    1 Samuel 5

FRIDAY  Reflections

The Philistines won!? Maybe not.

They beat the people of Israel but when they thought they defeated the God of Israel, they were going to learn how wrong they were.

Israel was supposed to live faithfully they didn't and therefore could not defeat the Philistines. They failed but now God was going to show His strength to the Philistines. Now God was fighting for His honor and by extension for Israel. God wasn't going to lose.

By placing the Ark of God in the temple of Dagon, the Philistines where saying Dagon was more powerful than God. There were no lightning bolts or electrical shows, nothing that would look great in a movie, but God made it clear He wasn't happy. What did happen was Dagon keep falling, people died, and the ones who didn't die got huge hemorrhoids. God was nothing but a pain to the Philistines. However, when all was done, God demonstrated He was greater than anything the Philistines thought they had. 

1Sa 5:1-12
(1)  And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod.
(2)  When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.
(3)  And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.
(4)  And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.
(5)  Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.
(6)  But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.
(7)  And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god.
(8)  They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither.
(9)  And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the LORD was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts.
(10)  Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.
(11)  So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.
(12)  And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

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1 Samuel 4

WEEK 10                                               1 Samuel 4         

TUESDAY  Reflections

Indiana Jones and the Lost Ark taught people the Ark of the Covenant was used by Israel to go into war. However, other than to go in front of the people who walked around Jericho, there is no Biblical evidence it was ever used in war. The only time it was used to try to win a battle is found in 1 Samuel 4 and it didn't work.

So what is the truth?

The truth was the ark was the symbol of God's presence in Israel. An examination of it in light of Jesus is very enlightening, but it was never a source of power for Israel to use whenever they wanted it. This story makes it clear, God will not be used by men to gain what they want outside of His will. Israel was living in disobedience. Hophni and Phinehas were living wicked lives and yet they thought that by taking the symbol of God's presence out to the battle they would win.

 

This action was as smart as the seven sons of Sceva trying to cast out a demon in Jesus' name who Paul preached (Acts 19:11-20). God will not be used as a magic talisman. A cross or even a Bible will not protect you. Only a relationship with God will.

1Sa 4:1-22
(1)  And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.
(2)  And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.
(3)  And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.
(4)  So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
(5)  And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.
(6)  And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.
(7)  And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore.
(8)  Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness.
(9)  Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight.
(10)  And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.
(11)  And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.
(12)  And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.
(13)  And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out.
(14)  And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli.
(15)  Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.
(16)  And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son?
(17)  And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.
(18)  And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.
(19)  And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.
(20)  And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it.
(21)  And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.
(22)  And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.