August 9th - Defending in Destruction

Defending in Destruction

(2 Kings 24:1-6)

(Jeremiah 22:18-23; 48:1-47; 49:1-33)

The Fate of Jehoiakim

By Charles Joseph Staniland

In today’s Bible readings, we learn of the Lord’s judgment upon the pagan nations surrounding Judah and Israel, prophesied by Jeremiah. The death of King Jehoiakim, who had burned the scrolls of Jeremiah, was also foretold. According to the prophecy, Jehoiakim would die in infamy and disgrace, dragged like a donkey outside the city gates (see Jeremiah 22:18-23).

Prompted by the Spirit of the Lord, Jeremiah described the fates of Moab, Ammon. Edom, Damascus, Kedar, and Hazor.

What is most striking about these accounts of destruction?

Often, a single line or two in Scripture may reveal much about the character of the Lord. In the passage detailing the ruin of Edom, Jeremiah proclaimed a merciful statement from God.

^“’But I will strip Esau bare;
I will uncover his hiding places,
so that he cannot conceal himself.
His children, relatives and neighbors will perish,
and he will be no more.

Leave your orphans; I will protect their lives.
Your widows too can trust in Me.’"

(Jeremiah 49:10-11, NIV, emphasis added)

Whom does the Lord protect, even among the pagan peoples? Clearly, Jehovah-Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts, our Protector) carries a special compassion for those who cannot defend themselves. Orphans and widows may be fully aware of their need for His mighty help and rescue.

Benjamin Franklin wrote (in his famous volume, Poor Richard’s Almanack): “God helps those who help themselves.” Although this proverbial statement may prod us to action, it may also deny the humility our gracious God requires of those who love Him. Will we admit our need for Him, opening our hearts for His help?

Will you pray with me?

Jehovah-Sabaoth,

Our Healer and Defender,

We turn to You,

For we need You now

And every day.

Keep us humble, Lord.

Show us how much

We depend on You

Every hour.

Abolish our independent spirits,

So that You may fill us

With Your own Spirit.

For Your Spirit alone

Is power and might

And honor

And truth.

Amen.

August 8th - Neb's Nightmare

Neb’s Nightmare

(Daniel 1:1-20; 2:1-49)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

The Bible Explained

Today’s reading from The Daily Bible recounts the beginning of Daniel’s story. Daniel and the three other fine young men were hand-picked to serve in the court of Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to eat the king’s meat, and the royal courtiers frowned upon them for it.

But the Lord was honored by their faithfulness and fortitude.

King Nebuchadnezzar had a remarkable dream, and he asked the Babylonian magicians and wise men to interpret his reverie. They could not do so. Nebuchadnezzar ordered that all of the seers and sorcerers be killed.

Finally, Nebuchadnezzar asked Daniel about the dream.

What did Daniel do first?

Before Daniel even met with the king, he met with the King of Kings. He prayed for the Lord to grant him wisdom and insight. He enlisted the prayer support of the other three young men: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

The Lord answered Daniel and gave him a vision in the night.

Confidently, Daniel approached King Nebuchadnezzar with the answer to his daunting dream. First, of course, Daniel pointed out that the message came directly from the Lord, rather than any special magic or abilities. Daniel gave all glory to God.

Daniel explained King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream about the giant warrior statue, describing how the vision pertained to ruling kingdoms to come.

What answers do we need from the Lord today? What insights might He want to reveal to us? What secrets does God desire to share, if we will only ask?

Will you pray with me?

Sovereign One,

You alone hold the mysteries of the universe,

Beyond the reaches of time

And above what human minds can comprehend.

Help us to learn to listen

To Your voice.

Grant us wisdom and insight

To understand

The secrets You choose to share

With us.

Amen.

August 7th - A Book Burning

A Book Burning

(Jeremiah 36:1-32; 45:1-5)

Judah’s King Jehoiakim Burns Jeremiah’s Scroll

Artist Unknown

Have you ever worked tirelessly to produce a complex computer file or document, only to lose the entire thing to a gruesome glitch?

The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah would surely understand the feeling of frustration. So would the scribe Baruch.

Around 600 years before the birth of Christ, God instructed Jeremiah to write down the words of the prophecies the Lord had given to him in more than 20 years of prophetic ministry. Jeremiah enlisted Baruch the scribe to pen the words he dictated. Painstakingly they transcribed all of the lines onto a large scroll.

Jeremiah instructed Baruch to read the scroll containing the word of the Lord to the people gathered at the temple. As the scribe read, the royal officials of Judah listened, along with the people. They carried a report of the reading of the prophetic scroll to King Jehoiakim.

Incensed at the prophetic report, pointing to destruction and captivity, King Jehoiakim ordered a private reading of the scroll. As the scroll was read, Kim Jehoiakim clipped off sections and burned them in his fire cup. Finally, the entire scroll of Jeremiah had been reduced to ashes.

But God’s Word endures.

Jeremiah and Baruch repeated their labor of love, producing a second scroll of the Lord’s Word through the prophet.

Throughout human history, dastardly despots have attempted to hide or harm the Lord’s Word. Bibles have been banned in many regions of the world, and people have certainly been persecuted for reading God’s truth. Even so, Jehovah promised His Word will last. And His Word is true.

Thanks be to God for His everlasting Word.

Will you pray with me?

Holy One,

Every word You speak is truth.

Your Word is power

For now and throughout the ages.

Burn Your Word into our hearts,

And build Your Word into our minds.

Carve Your character into us,

So that we might be living examples

Of Your message of hope and truth

For a lost world.

May we honor You alone.

Amen.

August 6th - Vowkeepers Valued

Vowkeepers Valued

(Jeremiah 25:1-38; 35:1-19)

(2 Kings 24:1, 7)

(2 Chronicles 36:6-7)

Jeremiah Offering Wine to the Rechabites

From Standard Bible Story Readers

Book Five

By Lillie A. Faris

1925-1928

God honors faithfulness. Throughout the Bible, we can find many examples of the Lord’s affirmation of those who prove faithful to the vows they have taken. God loves promise keepers, for He is the greatest Promise Keeper of all. The Lord simply keeps His Word.

The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah called a blessing of the Lord upon the Recabites, an ascetic group in Judah, who kept the vows of their ancestors. Although Jeremiah offered wine to the Recabites, they refused to partake of it.

The point was not that the wine itself was evil. Instead, the Recabites’ concern seemed to be that they had made a promise, as a people, to abstain from drink.

And they were blessed for their faithful promise keeping.

What promises have you made? How easy is it for us to voice vows, but how difficult may it be for us to fulfill them?

May God hold us back from making impossible promises, or even unintentional ones. And may He prompt us to promise keeping, finding us faithful. For He Himself is faithful.

Will you pray with me?

Righteous Ruler,

You are truth.

You are ever faithful.

Mold our hearts,

So that they may resemble Yours.

Remind us of promises we have made

To You

And to those we love.

Find us faithful,

For Your glory,

Oh Lord.

Amen.