Day 221: Daniel 10-12

Daniel has seen and heard a lot. He gets extraordinary visions of fantastical beasts and events. I get the impression that these experiences drain him physically and emotionally. And now, at the very end of the book he says:

I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?” (12:8)

This is sort of the way I feel when I read books of prophecy like this. I read, but I do not understand. I, too, ask the question, "So what's the bottom line?"

Here's the answer Daniel receives:

He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand." (12:9-10)

I'm no scholar when it comes to understanding Old Testament prophecy but it seems to me that this is a description of the Christian era that will come many centuries in the future for Daniel. Because of Jesus "many will be purified, made spotless and refined." While Jesus' grace is offered to all people "the wicked will continue to be wicked." This brings to mind the parable Jesus tells of the wheat and tares growing together until the time of the harvest.

The last few verses of Daniel contain some numbers of days and a reference to something called "the abomination that causes desolation." To be honest, I have no idea what these things mean. The thing is, it seems to me that these are the kinds of things that get the most attention. People try to add up all the numbers and figure out the dates and times that things are going to happen and they NEVER get it right! Even Jesus told us that he didn't know when the end would be but he, and Daniel both say, basically, that's not important. What's important for us to know is that God has it under control.

Day 220: Daniel 7-9

Daniel had some pretty vivid and nightmarish dreams. Even when he supplies the interpretation that God gives him they are still very difficult for me to understand. Compounding the problem for me is that his visions and dreams seem to skip around in time. Just when I think he's talking about the coming fall of Babylon and Israel's return to Jerusalem he skips way into the future and is clearly referring to the coming Jesus...

In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (7:13-14)

Then at other times he seems to go even further into the future with descriptions of things that sound like the actual end of time. In fact at one point Gabriel tells him:

“The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.” (8:26)

It's no wonder that Daniel says:

I, Daniel, was worn out. I lay exhausted for several days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding. (8:27)

Reading biblical prophecy is always hard for me. One thing that I've come to realize is that the specifics in predictive prophecy are never completely understood until after they come to pass. It's only then that you can look back and see how it all fits together. I think this may be intentional. The prophecy is given in such a way that you understand the big picture ("I've looked in the back of the book...and we win!") but the details are clouded in symbolism and imagery that only make sense afterward. This is why we should be very skeptical of anyone who claims to have it all figured out and proclaims with certainty that they know how and when something is going to take place based on their study of biblical prophecy.

On a completely different subject, perhaps my favorite verse in today's reading is this one. Daniel is praying on behalf of his people. He's confessing the sin of the nation and pleading with God for mercy. I believe this should be the attitude of heart whenever we pray:

We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. (9:18)

Day 219: Daniel 4-6

I said yesterday that Nebuchadnezzar was nuts. It's true - but he experienced a time of true insanity and lived in the wilderness like an animal (4:33). At the end of that time it seems as if Nebuchadnezzar had a real change of heart. He had respected Daniel and his beliefs but this experience seems to have humbled him and, while there's not a lot more written about Nebuchadnezzar after this, what is written seems to indicate a different man:

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. (4:37)

It's interesting to read about Daniel and his life as an exile. On the one hand, he was not a citizen but was one of the captives of a conquered nation. On the other hand, it seems he was a well-respected man for his wisdom, insight and character. Nebuchadnezzar had appointed him to a high position in his government. However, his son Belshazzar apparently didn't really know about him...nor did he learn anything from his father's experiences. While Daniel was held in great esteem he had to continually earn that esteem. He wasn't a citizen...he was in exile.

When you think about it, it's true that we (Christians) live in a great nation. It's also true that our real citizenship is elsewhere. Sometimes there will be men and women among us who are held in esteem by the leaders of the world...but the truth is that they will probably never be truly accepted in these circles as one of their own.

We are different. We are aliens.

We are captives and exiles in a foreign land doing the best we can to do as much good as we can knowing that at some point we will taken home where we belong.

Days 217 & 218: Ezekiel 45-48, Daniel 1-3

Nebuchadnezzar was nuts. He was a volatile and unpredictable despot. The paranoid and egomaniacal rulers of the Middle East today come from a long line of paranoid and egomaniacal rulers.

While the Jews were in captivity in Babylon there were some who were exceptional men and were treated with special care. Daniel was one of them...and was given food from the royal diet plan to eat. But...

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.” (Daniel 1:8-10)

The official had every reason to be afraid. As I said earlier, his boss, Nebuchadnezzar, was nuts. He had a tendency to give orders and decrees wildly and with severe consequences. For example, he had a dream he wanted interpreted. So rather than tell his wise men the dream and ask for the interpretation, he told them they had to divine the dream first and then explain the interpretation. He would tell them nothing. And here are the consequences:

The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble. But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.” (Daniel 2:5-6)

Yeah, real reasonable. Well, his wise men couldn't do it and so the king's orders were to be carried out but...when they came to Daniel he said he could do it. They pushed "pause" on the king's orders and brought Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel was careful first to make sure the king knew the source of his ability...

Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come." (Daniel 2:27-28)

Well, his dream was revealed and interpreted, Nebuchadnezzar was impressed, lives were saved, Daniel was promoted. There are echoes of Joseph in Egypt in this story.

Back to Nebuchadnezzar and his craziness. Some time later he set up this gigantic statue of himself and told everyone they had to bow down and worship it (him). As usual there are sever consequences...

Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” (Daniel 3:4-6)

Now we get to my favorite part in this whole passage. Daniel, and his 3 buddies, refuse to bow and worship. This takes some guts. As I said, Nebuchadnezzar is nuts. He has announced the consequences and has proven his willingness to follow through. This is what Daniel says:

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18)

The thing that hits me hard every time I think of this is not simply the courage it took for them to stand up to Nebuchadnezzar...or even for their faith that God could deliver them...it's that phrase, "even if He does not."

God can supply all my needs...but even if He does not...I will still follow.

God can heal me from cancer...but even if He does not...I will still follow.

God can...   but even if He does not...

Well, in this case, God does...

Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. (Daniel 3:26-27)

Nebuchadnezzar reacts to this miracle, not surprisingly, by issuing a decree with severe consequences...

"Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way." (Daniel 3:29)

I wonder what happened to the statue.

Days 215 & 216: Ezekiel 37-44

This section of Ezekiel is actually pretty uplifting. Ezekiel has a beautiful vision of a future where God has cleansed people from their sin and David (or a descendant of David?) will be there King and Shepherd. I think he's talking about us...

They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God. My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. (37:23-24)

But in the more immediate future he assures the people that they will indeed be restored to their home...and more than that, they will be restored in their relationship to God....

When I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind. I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the people of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD.” (39:27-29)

Beginning in chapter 40 Ezekiel describes in great detail how the city of Jerusalem will be rebuilt. He goes on to describe the temple and the worship that will take place there. This was in the 25th year of their 70 years of captivity (40:1). I find myself thinking about Nehemiah and how he eventually led many of the Israelites back to Jerusalem to begin the hard and dangerous work of rebuilding. I think he must have had the prophecy of Ezekiel in his mind and heart as he took on the massive task of leading the people through this endeavor.

Day 214: Ezekiel 33-36

Ezekiel continues beating the same drums:
     1. Death and destruction and exile are coming because of the people's sin.
     2. This is happening so that you will know that God is, indeed, God.
     3. This wouldn't have happened if you had listened to the real prophets of God and
         responded appropriately.
     4. The false prophets who said only good things were coming are in deep, deep trouble.

Regarding this last point there is an interesting passage in today's reading. I think it has some things to say about what Jesus did in His ministry on earth. I also think it speaks to those of us who serve as leaders and shepherds of God's people today...

Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them. (34:7-10)

Day 213: Ezekiel 29-32

This section is God's pronouncement of judgment against Egypt. In typical Ezekiel fashion he describes the destruction in colorful language and countless comparisons. Again, the reason for all this is clear:

Then all who live in Egypt will know that I am the LORD. (29:6)

I found these verses sort of interesting when I think of my image of modern day Egypt...

It will be the lowliest of kingdoms and will never again exalt itself above the other nations. I will make it so weak that it will never again rule over the nations. Egypt will no longer be a source of confidence for the people of Israel but will be a reminder of their sin in turning to her for help. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign LORD. (29:15-16)

You know, the thing is, most of the things I put my confidence in will end up like this. Some day all of the things that provide some sort of security in this life will be "made so weak that they will never again" have any power to draw me to them...and I'll look at them and wonder why I ever thought they could help.

Day 212: Ezekiel 25-28

To be completely honest I'm getting pretty tired of reading Ezekiel. It seems like I'm reading the same things over and over and over again.

However, there is a recurring theme throughout. See if you can find it...

I will destroy you, and you will know that I am the LORD. (25:7)

I will inflict punishment on Moab. Then they will know that I am the LORD. (25:11)

...they will know my vengeance, declares the Sovereign LORD. (25:14)

Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I take vengeance on them. (25:17)

 Then they will know that I am the LORD. (26:6)

Then you will know that I am the LORD. (28:23)

He talks about all the terrible things He is going to do to them and it's always for the same reason. He wants them to know Him. He takes no delight in inflicting misery...he takes great delight in having a relationship with us. He knows us...He wants us to know Him.

Ezekiel suddenly jumps farther into the future toward the end of chapter 28. The time of punishment is limited. The captors release the captives. They once again return to live in their own land in peace. God is giving blessing instead of pain. He still wants them to know Him...

They will live there in safety and will build houses and plant vineyards; they will live in safety when I inflict punishment on all their neighbors who maligned them. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God. (28:26)

Days 210 & 211: Ezekiel 17-24

Ezekiel continues with lots more judgments and predictions of destruction and doom. However, God makes it clear that grace is available...

But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? (18:21-23)

And then there's this...

Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! (18:30-32)

He tells the people to "get a new heart and a new spirit." He has made that new heart and new spirit available to all through Christ...

But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. (Romans 8:10-11)

Days 208 & 209: Ezekiel 9-16

Over the years I have grown more and more to see our (my) relationship with God as being very much like a marriage. I think this is biblical (and Ezekiel 16 is filled with it), but I don't think most of us get it. So many of us think of religion as a list of rules handed down by the Supreme Authority and Judge and picture God keeping His eye on us to catch us in the act of some sin...then when He inevitably does we have to go through the motions of some sort of atonement or confession...say the right words, do the right things and we're good again. Until the next time.

What we don't get is that God is looking at the whole thing as a committed relationship. We're His wife...He's our husband. He loves us. He has taken the vows of marriage...and so have we. When we sin, it's not that we've broken some cold, impersonal, rule or law...we've broken the heart of our Lover.

In Ezekiel God is, over and over, telling the people about all the terrible things that are going to happen because they have sinned. But then when we hit chapter 16 we discover that it's not simply that the people are breaking the "rules". They have broken their marriage vows. God is a jealous Husband whose wife has been openly unfaithful.

Consider these passages in Ezekiel 16:

I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine. (16:8)

So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey, olive oil and the finest flour. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen. And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign LORD. (16:13-14)

 But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. (16:15)

At every street corner you built your lofty shrines and degraded your beauty, spreading your legs with increasing promiscuity to anyone who passed by. (16:25)

 You adulterous wife! You prefer strangers to your own husband! (16:32)

I will deal with you as you deserve, because you have despised my oath by breaking the covenant. (16:59)

Day 207: Ezekiel 5-8

Most of the book of Ezekiel so far is devoted to describing the terrible things that are going to happen to the people of Israel. These terrible things are coming upon them because they have rebelled against God and refuse to repent. I find myself thinking about our current relationship with God. I'm thankful for His grace and mercy lavishly bestowed on me because of Jesus. Forgiveness is mine. But it occurs to me that the judgment described by Ezekiel is likely what awaits those who choose not to accept the Lordship of Christ and the grace he freely gives. Then instead of being judged according to the righteousness of Christ this is what God says will happen...

I will judge you according to your conduct
   and repay you for all your detestable practices.
I will not look on you with pity;
   I will not spare you.
I will repay you for your conduct
   and for the detestable practices among you.
Then you will know that it is I the LORD who strikes you. (7:8-9)

That last sentence seems to be a recurring theme in the book so far...well, at least in chapter 7 for sure. He wants them to know who's in charge...who is the real Lord. If they won't learn it by obeying Him and thus experiencing His blessing then they'll learn it another way. The day is coming when everyone acknowledges the Lord...some in fear and trepidation...others in joy and celebration...but all in humility...

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
   and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
   in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
   to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

Then they will know that I am the LORD. (Ezekiel 7:27)

Day 206: Ezekiel 1-4

Ezekiel opens with a description of a vision that God gives to Ezekiel. It's some pretty weird stuff. I won't try to describe it here, you just have to read the first chapter and see for yourself. It does cause me to wonder about the experience of truly and literally being in the presence of the God of the universe. I think if we were to have that experience it would change a lot of the way we talk and think about God...and life in general. Primarily, I think that if we were to actually meet God face to face, like Ezekiel, we would come away with the realization that we understand a lot less about Him than we thought we did.

Anyway, chapter 1 closes with this:

This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking. (1:28)

And He tells him to do a lot of things. His life sort of becomes a living object lesson for the Israelites. I think it would be a hard life to be a prophet of God. The things He expects a prophet to do are never easy. But He gives Ezekiel the strength he needs to do what is asked of him...

But the people of Israel are not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for all the Israelites are hardened and obstinate. But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. (2:7-8)

I suppose it's true for those of us today who follow the Lord. He expects us to live lives with priorities that seem strange to our culture. The way we live doesn't always make sense to them. They aren't always willing to hear the message of God's love that He expects us to share with them. The message God gives us to take to our generation is way different than the one Ezekiel was given. I can sort of understand why people wouldn't want to hear his message. But it seems odd that people would reject a message of love, doesn't it? But they do...everyday.

Day 205: Lamentations 3:37-5:22

I suppose the entire book of Lamentations could be summed up in one phrase found in chapter 5...

Woe to us, for we have sinned! (5:16)

It occurs to me that this is a phrase that many today can not bring themselves to say. "Sin? What is sin?" "Who's to say what is and isn't sinful?" "Do I not have the right to live my life the way I choose?" "Don't try to impose your morality on me!"

Then there are some, more like myself, who can pretty much rationalize anything. "Well, at least I'm not as bad as..." "There's really nothing wrong with..." "After all, we're only human."

Restore us to yourself, LORD, that we may return;
   renew our days as of old
unless you have utterly rejected us
   and are angry with us beyond measure. (5:21-22)

Day 204: Lamentations 1:1-3:36

I suppose you should expect a book called Lamentations to be sort of a downer...and it is. It is a book full of...well...lamentations. The author is lamenting the situation in which he and his people find themselves. He knows that they are in this situation because of their sin and the fact that they listened to the wrong people.

The visions of your prophets
   were false and worthless;
they did not expose your sin
   to ward off your captivity.
The prophecies they gave you
   were false and misleading. (2:14)

There are times when a spiritual leader is there to show care and compassion and comfort. But if that's the only thing he/she does it is a disservice...and it is misleading. Sometimes the message that needs to be heard and heeded is an uncomfortable one.

Speaking of comfort, I knew this next passage of scripture was in the book of Lamentations and I've always thought that was interesting. One of the most beloved hymns of the church is based on these verses. "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" is a beautiful hymn of comfort and hope. The thing is that this comfort and hope is experienced in the midst of hardship and pain. Here's the context:

I remember my affliction and my wandering,
   the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them,
   and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind
   and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
   for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
   therefore I will wait for him.” (3:19-24)

This is a reminder that God is faithful, no matter what. Our pain and hardship does not negate God's faithfulness. In fact...I wonder if it's even possible to truly experience God's "compassions that never fail" or His "great faithfulness" without some pain and suffering?

Days 202&203: Jeremiah 49-51, Psalm 137

Jeremiah closes his book of prophecy with a long rant against Babylon. Yes, God is using Babylon for His own purposes to punish Israel for her idolatry and rebellion but Israel is still God's people. Babylon will be destroyed by the Persians and the Israelites will be allowed to return to their homeland. This was foretold here by Jeremiah and it actually happened about 70 years later.

Therefore this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says:
   “I will punish the king of Babylon and his land
   as I punished the king of Assyria.
But I will bring Israel back to their own pasture,
   and they will graze on Carmel and Bashan;
their appetite will be satisfied
   on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead.
In those days, at that time,”
   declares the LORD,
“search will be made for Israel’s guilt,
   but there will be none,
and for the sins of Judah,
   but none will be found,
   for I will forgive the remnant I spare. (Jeremiah 50:18-20)

On another subject: I have mixed feelings when I'm listening to a concert or TV music special of some sort when one or two of the scheduled "acts" consist of "gospel" music of one form or another. It happened not too long ago as I was watching something like a Kennedy Center Honors show or something like that. I really don;t remember the details now but I remember hearing a fantastic gospel choir performing a rousing number that had the whole audience on their feet. It was one of the most energetic performances of the evening. The problem I had was that I couldn't help but wonder how many people in the audience really had a relationship with the God they were celebrating in the music. The choir was part of a program celebrating the "gospel music art form" rather than celebrating the actual gospel.

The reason I bring this up is that whenever this type of thing happens - and it happens often - Psalm 137 comes to my mind. I think of the Jews in captivity being begged to sing one "their songs". I suppose the Babylonians wanted to enjoy the cultural experience of hearing this "musical genre" even though they had no relationship with the God that was being sung about. I don't know if it;s an entirely accurate parallel...but it comes to my mind every time...

By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept
   when we remembered Zion.
There on the poplars
   we hung our harps,
for there our captors asked us for songs,
   our tormentors demanded songs of joy;
   they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
How can we sing the songs of the LORD
   while in a foreign land? (Psalm 137:1-4)

Days 200&201: Obadiah, Psalms 82-83, Jeremiah 45-48

Things are bad, and they're going to get worse. God has made it abundantly clear through Jeremiah and the other prophets that the nation of Israel will be defeated...they will be captured and taken into captivity. There will be many lives lost. This is all going to happen because of their disobedience to God. They just wouldn't listen. They wouldn't believe. They were enticed by all the other pagan "gods" who were nothing. They were like an unfaithful spouse prostituting herself with anyone who came along. God makes it clear that the punishment was going to be bad and that it was completely deserved.

But...

He also makes it clear that His love for His people has never wavered. In the midst of all the predictions of sorrow and suffering He wants them to know that He'll be with them...they will get through it, and things will even be better afterward.

“Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant;
   do not be dismayed, Israel.
I will surely save you out of a distant place,
   your descendants from the land of their exile.
Jacob will again have peace and security,
   and no one will make him afraid.
Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant,
   for I am with you,” declares the LORD.
“Though I completely destroy all the nations
   among which I scatter you,
   I will not completely destroy you.
I will discipline you but only in due measure;
   I will not let you go entirely unpunished.” (Jeremiah 46:27-28)

The suffering occurred...and it was bad. But God goes with them every step of the way.

God goes with me every step of the way.

Day 199: Jeremiah 41-44

Some of the Israelites who were left behind when the rest were taken into exile were pretty zealous to keep the few who were left from being destroyed. They killed some of the officials who were put in place by Nebuchadnezzar and were going to flee to Egypt for protection. They decided to consult with Jeremiah to see what God would have them do...

Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with everything the LORD your God sends you to tell us. Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the LORD our God..." (Jeremiah 42:5-6)

Sounds good, doesn't it? Sounds a lot like me. I ask God for direction and have every intention of doing whatever that may be...but deep down I think I already know what His answer is going to be. I think that's what happened with these guys because when they heard that God wanted them to stay in Palestine and that He would protect them but that if they went to Egypt they would surely be destroyed...well here's their response:

When Jeremiah had finished telling the people all the words of the LORD their God—everything the LORD had sent him to tell them—Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, “You are lying! The LORD our God has not sent you to say, ‘You must not go to Egypt to settle there.’ But Baruch son of Neriah is inciting you against us to hand us over to the Babylonians, so they may kill us or carry us into exile to Babylon.” (Jeremiah 43:1-3)

It says they were "arrogant". And they were.

The thing is, they knew that they were disobeying God...but they didn't care!

Then all the men who knew that their wives were burning incense to other gods, along with all the women who were present—a large assembly—and all the people living in Lower and Upper Egypt, said to Jeremiah, “We will not listen to the message you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD! We will certainly do everything we said we would: We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and will pour out drink offerings to her just as we and our ancestors, our kings and our officials did in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 44:15-17)

Wow! I'm glad I'm never so arrogant as to do whatever I want in the face of God's direct command to do otherwise! ...I would never do that...ever...not once...

Day 198: 2 Kings 24-25, 2 Chronicles 36:1-21, Jeremiah 52

The thing about reading the history recorded in the Bible is that you get God's perspective on the events. I suppose you could read other secular historians and find out the details of the events and these records may, at times, actually be more complete. What you don't get from secular historians is what God may be up to. The events happened and there may be completely earthly reasons why Nebuchadnezzar destroyed and took the Israelites into captivity...but God was in it. He had something He was working out and He used these events to do it.

Here's what the Bible says about these events:

The LORD sent Babylonian, Aramean, Moabite and Ammonite raiders against him to destroy Judah, in accordance with the word of the LORD proclaimed by his servants the prophets. Surely these things happened to Judah according to the LORD’s command, in order to remove them from his presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done, including the shedding of innocent blood. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD was not willing to forgive. (2 Kings 24:2-4)

Whether or not God actually directs the events of history is not my point. My point is that God uses them to accomplish what He wants to accomplish. He is at work. I don't think it's as simple as Jerry Falwell and others try to make it...but I do think it may be important for us to ask the question, "What is God up to?"

How will God use the events of today, September 9, 2011? What will be my part?

Days 196&197: Jeremiah 33-40, Psalms 74, 79

What a sad period of history! The once glorious nation ruled by the great king David and his son Solomon is being gradually ripped apart and destroyed by a pagan nation. Jeremiah was very clear and specific in his predictions about what was going to occur (and why) and it is playing out exactly as he had said it would.

In the midst of this violent and confusing time God takes a moment to remind them, through His prophet Jeremiah, not only why this was happening but that it wasn't going to be forever. God, even in the midst of executing His judgment, shows His heart of compassion and ultimate triumph.

I will hide my face from this city because of all its wickedness. Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it. (Jeremiah 33:5-9)

However, the judgment will indeed be carried out because the people simply wouldn't listen...

Therefore this is what the LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Listen! I am going to bring on Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem every disaster I pronounced against them. I spoke to them, but they did not listen; I called to them, but they did not answer." (Jeremiah 35:17)

"I called to them, but they did not answer." I find those words extremely sad. My prayer is that I will always recognize God's voice when He calls to me...and that I will answer.

The king of Judah, however, did not listen. God had Jeremiah dictate His message to Jehudi who in turn wrote it out on a scroll. The scroll was taken to the king and read to him. Here's how the king responded:

Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe’s knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire. The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes. Even though Elnathan, Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them. (Jeremiah 36:23-25)

As I said before, it was a confusing and violent time. I'm not real clear on how long this whole process took but the kingdom of Judah was crumbling. Eventually the king of Babylon made his final move and laid siege to Jerusalem. Even then it took 18 months for Jerusalem to fall to Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah 39 describes how this played out. I find it very sad...

     In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army and laid siege to it. And on the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year, the city wall was broken through. Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came and took seats in the Middle Gate: Nergal-Sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-Sarsekim a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer a high official and all the other officials of the king of Babylon. When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled; they left the city at night by way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls, and headed toward the Arabah.
     But the Babylonian army pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They captured him and took him to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced sentence on him. There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes and also killed all the nobles of Judah. Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze shackles to take him to Babylon.
     The Babylonians set fire to the royal palace and the houses of the people and broke down the walls of Jerusalem. Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard carried into exile to Babylon the people who remained in the city, along with those who had gone over to him, and the rest of the people. But Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people, who owned nothing; and at that time he gave them vineyards and fields. (Jeremiah 39:1-10)

The psalmist laments...

O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;
   they have defiled your holy temple,
   they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
They have left the dead bodies of your servants
   as food for the birds of the sky,
   the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.
They have poured out blood like water
   all around Jerusalem,
   and there is no one to bury the dead. (Psalm 79:1-3)

Day 195: Jeremiah 29-32

I've been a worship leader for 26 years. (That's hard for me to believe, to be honest.) In those 26 years I have dreaded the coming of every patriotic holiday. Whenever the 4th of July, or Memorial Day, or Labor day, or Veteran's Day, or Flag Day, or now September 11 rolls around someone invariably asks, "Are we going to be singing any patriotic songs this Sunday?" It happened this week in regard to the upcoming 9-11 Sunday. It's not really a question. What it really means is, "We'd better be singing some patriotic songs this Sunday!" The thing I've learned is that you simply cannot win no matter how you approach it. There are always people who get upset if we don't honor and celebrate our nation as part of our worship service and there have always been some (usually only a few) who think patriotism is completely out of place in a place of worship.

For 26 years I've struggled to explain my discomfort with patriotism in a worship service. It's not that I'm unpatriotic. I'm not. I think what I'm uncomfortable with is the feeling I get from so many who seem to think of America as God's chosen nation. They use language that scripture uses when referring to the Israelites in the OT. However, if you read the NT (particularly Romans) you find that if God has a "chosen nation" it's not any of the earthly nations...it's the Church. The Church is now God's chosen nation.

So...if America isn't God's chosen nation then what is it?

I think America is Babylon.

God's chosen people (the Church - everyone who is a Christ-follower) is being held captive for a time in Babylon. Well, at least the church in America.

I thought about all this as I read Jeremiah 29 this morning. In this chapter Jeremiah is writing a letter to the Israelites who have been taken into captivity in Babylon. He's writing a letter explaining to them how they should live while they are in captivity. What should be their attitude toward the earthly nation in which they are now living? I think this letter explains well the way we, as temporary captives in this place, are to live and think about the earthly nation in which we find ourselves...

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (29:4-7)

I am thankful for the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. I want to do what I can to "seek the peace and prosperity" of this nation. However, I never want to forget that my real citizenship is somewhere else.

That's what our worship services are for.

Day 194: Jeremiah 25-28

It's interesting to me that God refers to Nebuchadnezzar as "my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon" (25:8). I suppose in a sense everyone is a "servant" of God whether they choose to be or not. I would imagine, though, that this language really irritated Johoiakim, the king of Judah.

However, even though Nebuchadnezzar's victory over Judah and their captivity was all part of God's plan and served His purposes He then punishes Nebuchadnezzar for this evil.

“But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation, the land of the Babylonians, for their guilt,” (25:12)

We humans always seem so intent on making everything fit in a box. Were Nebuchadnezzar's actions good or evil? Well, apparently they were evil...God says so and punishes them accordingly. Then why does God refer to Nebuchadnezzar as His "servant" as if he is doing God's bidding? If he was only doing God's bidding how can it be evil? It won't fit in our box. I think we have a lot to learn about God.

The thing that is quite clear is that, through this whole process, God's desire was for His people to repent and turn back to Him. He gave them all these warnings through Jeremiah and the other prophets in the hope that they would came back to Him. He says:

Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from their evil ways. Then I will relent and not inflict on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done. (26:3)

This is always His desire. But the people didn't like what God was saying through Jeremiah. Jeremiah was prophesying bad things...they wanted good things so...

Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city. You have heard it with your own ears!” (26:11)

They wanted to kill Jeremiah! The reality was that they really wanted to kill God. It was, after all, His message they didn't want to hear.

Sometimes I think that's what we do. We don't like what God has to say so we kill Him. Well...not really. We're too sophisticated for killing. Instead we decide He doesn't exist. Same thing.

Day 193: Jeremiah 21-24

“Am I only a God nearby,”
            declares the LORD,
   “and not a God far away?
Who can hide in secret places
   so that I cannot see them?”
            declares the LORD.
   “Do not I fill heaven and earth?”
            declares the LORD. (23:23-24)

This is our God.

Days 191&192: Jeremiah 13-20

In Jeremiah 13 we find more about these false prophets who give the people the news they want to hear and say it's from God:

But I said, “Alas, Sovereign LORD! The prophets keep telling them, ‘You will not see the sword or suffer famine. Indeed, I will give you lasting peace in this place.’”  Then the LORD said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds." (14:13-14)

I can't help but wonder about all the people who claim to speak for God today. Some of them are very obviously off track, like the Koran burning guy in Florida, or the Westboro Baptist Church folks who are so filled with hate that they use the word in their web address. But what about others who are not so obvious? What about Tim Keller, Rob Bell, John Piper, Mark Driscoll, Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, Bill Hybels and all the other "celebrity" pastors who are listened to by so many people? Every one of these guys probably believe and teach some points of doctrine with which I would disagree. Does that make them a "false prophet" whom God has "not sent or appointed"?

What about me? It's my responsibility to know and understand God's word as best I can and to know Him as intimately as possible to make sure what I say and do are His words and actions.

Jeremiah had a tough row to hoe...and yet God promised to go with him and protect him. I believe He does the same for us.

I will make you a wall to this people,
   a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you
   but will not overcome you,
for I am with you
   to rescue and save you,”
            declares the LORD. (15:20)

I think the word "deceived" is interesting here. Actually, according to a footnote an alternate translation would be "persuaded". I like that word better...even though Jeremiah may have felt deceived. Either way I think Jeremiah describes well the emotions involved in being a faithful spokesman for God:

You deceived me, LORD, and I was deceived;
   you overpowered me and prevailed.
I am ridiculed all day long;
   everyone mocks me.
Whenever I speak, I cry out
   proclaiming violence and destruction.
So the word of the LORD has brought me
   insult and reproach all day long.
But if I say, “I will not mention his word
   or speak anymore in his name,”
his word is in my heart like a fire,
   a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;
   indeed, I cannot. (20:7-9)

Days 189&190: Jeremiah 5-12

The first thing that grabs my attention in today's reading is this:

A horrible and shocking thing
   has happened in the land:
The prophets prophesy lies,
   the priests rule by their own authority,
and my people love it this way.
   But what will you do in the end? (5:30-31)

I see two things in here that give me pause. First, and obvious, is the fact that the men who were supposed to be the spiritual leaders were teaching lies. God finds this "horrible and shocking". So do I. Those of us who teach and lead need to constantly check ourselves. Where are we leading people? What are our motives? I'm not simply saying we have to know and understand all the correct "doctrine" (That's really a loaded word, isn't it? It really shouldn't be.)...though we certainly need to make it our lifelong pursuit. I'm talking about our attitudes toward God...and scripture. Do we teach others, by our example, to submit to God in the things we do know and understand? Or do we "rule by our own authority"?

The second thing I noticed, though, is that the "people love it this way". The people tolerated and even encouraged the false teaching with false motives! Why is that? Maybe it's because they said and did things that made people "feel good about themselves" instead of the truth of scripture about our sin. Maybe they devoted their energies to helping people "have their best life now" rather than what it means to have a real relationship with the living and loving, righteous and forgiving God.

Here's another insight into what was going on:

They dress the wound of my people
   as though it were not serious.
‘Peace, peace,’ they say,
   when there is no peace.
Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct?
   No, they have no shame at all;
   they do not even know how to blush. (6:14-15)

Yeah, that sounds a lot like 21st century USA.

No wonder Jeremiah wasn't able to have a best-selling self-help book. (Well...I suppose his book has done ok after his death. I mean it is included in the Bible, after all.) At the time people didn't want to hear his message. In fact, God told him it was going to go badly...

“When you tell them all this, they will not listen to you; when you call to them, they will not answer. Therefore say to them, ‘This is the nation that has not obeyed the LORD its God or responded to correction. Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips.'" (7:27-28)

This fact gives God (and Jeremiah) no pleasure. I'm not sure if this next passage is expressing God's heart, or Jeremiah's. I think maybe both...

Since my people are crushed, I am crushed;
   I mourn, and horror grips me.
Is there no balm in Gilead?
   Is there no physician there?
Why then is there no healing
   for the wound of my people? (8:21-22)

Here's what most people don't get. We all have a tendency to get pretty self-absorbed. We want a God that we can control...not the other way around. God is just not controllable.

No one is like you, LORD;
   you are great,
   and your name is mighty in power.
Who should not fear you,
   King of the nations?
   This is your due.
Among all the wise leaders of the nations
   and in all their kingdoms,
   there is no one like you. (10:6-7)

Day 188: Jeremiah 1-4

When I read this verse this morning I was reminded of a quote about worship I have read many times and I'm not really sure of its original source...but someone said that we become like what we worship. We tend to take on the character of the person or thing that we love the most. God said (through Jeremiah):

What fault did your ancestors find in me,
   that they strayed so far from me?
They followed worthless idols
   and became worthless themselves. (2:5)

I don't want to become worthless.

God also says:

They have turned their backs to me
   and not their faces;
yet when they are in trouble, they say,
   ‘Come and save us!’ (2:27)

Isn't that so often the case? People live their whole lives contrary to God...or at the very least completely marginalizing Him...but when the going gets tough they expect God to come through for them...and then blame Him for the trouble that they have really brought on themselves.

Yet in spite of all this
 you say, ‘I am innocent;
   he is not angry with me.’
But I will pass judgment on you
   because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’ (2:34-35)

I think maybe this is the real problem. I thought it was something new but apparently it was true in Jeremiah's day. We, and be "we" I mean our modern culture, deny the very existence of sin. I mean who's to say what's a sin and what's not? Or, to quote Lady Gaga again, "I was born this way!" It's not sin, it;s the way You made me! And then ( and here's the really amazing part of the whole thing) God says that He will forgive us and forget it ever happened if we just acknowledge our guilt...and turn back to Him.

But acknowledging guilt is hard. It's easier to just say we have nothing to be guilty about...well, it's easier for now.