Daniel 1-2 Today we are introduced to Daniel and his friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (better known, perhaps, by their Babylonian names: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), who are exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon as young men, probably barely in their teens. From the outset, these young men cling to the God of heaven and refuse …
Author Archives: John S.
July 15 / II Kings 24:5-17; Jeremiah 22:18-30; 13:15-27; II Chronicles 36:5-10; Jeremiah 24:1-10
II Kings 24:5-9; Jeremiah 22:18-30; 13:15-27; II Kings 24:10-17; II Chronicles 36:5-10; Jeremiah 24:1-10 It’s 597 B.C. Jeremiah has been prophesying in Jerusalem for years, pleading for the people of Judah to repent in order to avoid destruction. Jehoiakim, that arrogant king that burned Jeremiah’s scroll, lies dead, unmourned. His son, Coniah/Jeconiah/Jehoiachin takes the throne …
July 14 / Jeremiah 23:9-40; 18:18-20:18
Jeremiah 23:9-40; 18:18-20:18 To whom do you listen? Yes, I asked this question just a few days ago. Well? Have you given it any consideration? Do you, perhaps, need to change the channel? Or do you think that the question is intended for everyone else, but not you? Perhaps you’ve been a Christian for decades, …
July 13 / II Kings 24:1-4; Jeremiah 35
II Kings 24:1-4; Jeremiah 35 Today we get an interesting little story involving a clan called the Rechabites. Don’t worry. You’ll be forgiven if you do not recognize that clan. But if you are curious, feel free to look back at II Kings 10:15,23 to reacquaint yourself with Jonadab/Jehonadab’s role in Jehu’s overthrow of Israel’s …
July 12 / Jeremiah 8:4-10:16
Jeremiah 8:4-10:16 Of what are you most proud? What are those things you’d like everyone to know about you? Having been raised in polite society, perhaps you do not actually boast of such things, but deep down, what do you wish others would ask about you at parties, so that you could tell them all …
July 11 / Jeremiah 14:1-15:9; 16-17
Jeremiah 14:1-15:9; 16-17 It’s a question I have asked before, and I’m sure I will ask it again in the future. It is such an important question, that I’ll ask it again right now: To whom do you listen? Then I said: “Ah, Lord GOD, behold, the prophets say to them, ‘You shall not see …
July 10 / Jeremiah 36:1-10; 25:1-14; 36:11-32; 45; 15:10-21
Jeremiah 36:1-10; 25:1-14; 36:11-32; 45; 15:10-21 It was the ninth month, and the king [(Jehoiakim)] was sitting in the winter house, and there was a fire burning in the fire pot before him. As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a knife and throw them into the fire …
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July 9 / Jeremiah 47; 46:1-12; 13:1-14; 18:1-17
Jeremiah 47; 46:1-12; 13:1-14; 18:1-17 Who wields the sword against Philistia? (Jer. 47) Who directs the Battle of Carchemish, bringing proud Egypt to defeat? (Jer. 46:1-12) Who spoil[s] the pride of Judah and and the great pride of Jerusalem? (Jer. 13:9) Who brings Judah to destruction? (Jer. 13:12-14) Who is the Potter? (Jer. 18:6) And …
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July 8 / Jeremiah 26:7-24; 11-12
Jeremiah 26:7-24; 11-12 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. I Corinthians 14:1 It’s easy to blithely read what Saint Paul says here in his letter to the Corinthians and think that, yes, the gift of prophecy would be cool. I’d like to proclaim an encouraging “word from the …
July 7 / Jeremiah 26:1-6; 7:1-8:3
Jeremiah 26:1-6; 7:1-8:3 It may be they will listen… Jeremiah 26:3a The LORD, exceedingly gracious and merciful, gives the people of Judah every opportunity to repent. He sends Jeremiah to the Temple court to proclaim His message that there is yet time to turn away from evil and avoid disaster. But the window of opportunity …