Journal Through the Bible: Week 78 Thursday

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Daniel 2:46-3:30

Does God issue any commands?

• God did not speak to Shadrach, Meshach, or Abednego, but they knew that He had commanded that they worship no other gods!

Does God make any promises?

• God did not speak but He acted on behalf of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when they were in the furnace. These three had told the king that they did not know if their God would rescue them but He could if it was His will. They would worship only Him whether He saved them from the fire or not. And He did! God promises good to those who love Him. Sometimes that means being delivered on this earth and sometimes that means being delivered from this earth.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• When Daniel is promoted to the position of ruler over the whole province of Babylon he requests that his Godly friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be placed over the affairs of the province. This must mean that they also ruled the province under Daniel's authority and Daniel was ruling under Nebuchadnezzar's supreme authority. When Jesus is promoted to the position of King over the whole world He will request that His Godly friends be placed over the affairs of the kingdom. Believers will reign under Jesus' authority and Jesus reigns under the Father's supreme authority.
• Jesus is the 4th person walking around in the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Nebuchadnezzar even remarks that this man looks like the Son of God.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• In the analogy above, Jesus rules now in Heaven but believers must wait until the time that the Kingdom is also on earth before they rule and reign with Him.
• In the future judgment, the fire will have no power over the servants of the Most High God!

Journal Through the Bible: Week 78 Wednesday

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Daniel 2:1-45

Nebuchadnezzar dreamed a dream that troubled him but he forgot what happened in the dream! He then demanded that his wise men tell him both the dream and the interpretation.  Daniel asked his friends to pray. Then God revealed the dream and the interpretation to Daniel.

There is a God in Heaven that revealeth secrets

 Does God issue any commands?

• Implied is a command that Daniel tell the king the dream and the meaning of it. It would not make sense for Daniel to have such knowledge and not tell the king! He and all of the other wise men would have perished!

Does God make any promises?

• God promised nations following nations, each a little weaker than the one before it. (God gives quite the history lesson to Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar! We have the advantage of hindsight.)
• God promised that an everlasting kingdom would follow the dominion of the nations made of iron and clay. 

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• Jesus is the stone that was cut without hands in Nebuchadnezzar's dream. It demolished the great image that Nebuchadnezzar saw.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• The nations and the world powers represented by the different materials in the image seen by Nebuchadnezzar in his dream will one day come to an end. This is represented in the dream by the broken parts being blown away like chaff. Then Jesus will rule upon the earth. (Many Bible scholars place our time as that represented by the feet of mingled iron and clay.)

Journal Through the Bible: Week 78 Tuesday

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Daniel chapter 1

Daniel was taken captive as a young man during the reign of Jehoiakim. He was most likely of noble birth himself. This chapter tells us that he served in Babylon until the first year of Cyrus. That means his ministry in spanned the whole 70 years of captivity!

Does God issue any commands?

• God did not speak but the commands of God that Daniel purposed to follow in this foreign country were the dietary laws given to Moses.

Does God  make any promises?

• God did not speak in this chapter, but God gave great knowledge to Daniel and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah which showed that God had a plan for them.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Daniel purposed that he would not be defiled by the things that the worldly king had to offer. Jesus also purposed that He would not be defiled by the things that the king of this world had to offer.
• Daniel was tested for 10 days with food that the world offered but he refused it. Jesus was also tested by Satan with food after a 40 day fast but He refused it. The law of God and love for it and Him set the standard for each of them.
• When Daniel stood before the king he was able to answer him wisely. When Jesus stood before the governmental and spiritual leaders of His time He was able to answer them wisely. 

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• One day we will each stand before The King so we should study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15)

Journal Through the Bible: Week 78 Monday

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Psalm 137

This song of mourning and retribution is not attributed to any specific Hebrew captive. It is a psalm that reminds Christians that we must sing the LORD'S song in a strange land no matter how hard it is to do so! How else will they hear of our God or of His city?

Most Christians understand mourning. It is the idea of retribution that gives us problems. It just doesn't fit with what we see as the Christ-like model. However, God  is not a flat character. He is a well-rounded Individual who tells us to love our enemies and pray for them while there is hope for their repentance but He is also the Judge who takes vengeance on anyone who mistreats those whom He loves.

Is the psalmist claiming that he will be ecstatic when the Babylonians are tormented by those who take them into captivity? Or is he declaring that the Babylonians' conquerors will celebrate the victory much like the Babylonians celebrated their victory over Judah? The text seems to state the latter. Babylon would one day be treated by their enemies in the way they treated the people of Judah. It is clear that innocents cruelly died in each conquest.

The psalmist does ask for God to remember Edom who mocked when their distant relatives were in trouble. The Edomites must have encouraged the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem. They got their wish.

Does God issue any commands?

• God does not speak.

Does God make any promises?

• God does not speak, but this author obviously was acquainted with God's promises made to Jeremiah concerning His coming vengeance upon Babylon.

Does this psalm teach anything about Jesus?

• Jesus wept when He remembered Zion also. He remembered the holy city that it had been and wept because it had become a city that had forgotten her God.

Does this psalm teach anything about yet-future events?

• The captives would not forget Jerusalem no matter what! Those of us who love God will not forget about the city of our God! That is why we wait for the New Jerusalem.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 77 Saturday

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Psalm 79

This is a psalm requesting that God avenge Jerusalem. It is attributed to Asaph, a psalmist and musician during the reigns of David and Solomon, in which case it would predate the Babylonian siege by many years. If that be so it would make sense that the people knew this song and sang it to each other during their time of exile. Or perhaps it was written by another Levite named Asaph. There are at least 2 men in the Bible that had that name who are listed in I Chronicles and perhaps there were others, including one at a later date. The psalm seems to accurately describe the total destruction of Jerusalem.

This psalm is written as an anguished prayer.

Does God issue any commands?

• God does not speak.

Does God make any promises?

• God does not speak.

Does this psalm teach anything about Jesus?

• The psalmist requests that God not remember former iniquities. We have the promise of God that when we repent of our sins and trust that they are paid by the shed blood of Jesus Christ God will remember them no longer.

Does this psalm teach anything about yet-future events?

• The bodies of the Hebrews were scattered everywhere. Their bodies were preyed upon by scavengers. In future times the bodies of the Israeli enemies will be scattered everywhere and they will be preyed upon by the scavengers. In other words, when the psalmist requests that God render unto their neighbors sevenfold we find the answer to this petition in Revelation.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 77 Friday

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Jeremiah chapter 52

The closing chapter of Jeremiah is a synopsis of the reign of Zedekiah and the fall of Jerusalem. It is almost a verbatim translation of II Kings 24:18-25:30. To see my notes on those passages see here and here. Chapters 24 and 25 served as bookends surrounding the study of the book of Habakkuk. It is also a variation of some of Jeremiah's previous writings, including some of the first verses of Jeremiah chapter 39.

Note: I will not look back on those journal notes until I am done writing this post because I will give this chapter my undivided attention and let the Holy Spirit use it alone to answer the four questions I seek to answer each day when making notations in my Bible Journal.

Does God issue any commands?

• God did not speak except to say through Jeremiah that the purpose for the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem was because the commands that had been made with the nation at the time of their covenant with God in the early years of being a nation were being broken. (See verse 3.)

Does God make any promises?

• None are listed in this chapter, however, we know from other portions of scripture, including other places in Jeremiah, that the 4,600 persons who were exiles were told to live normal lives in Babylon, to have children, and then at the end of 70 years a remnant would be allowed to return. None of that is said here, except the tally of the 4,600 that were taken captive during the three sieges of Nebuchadnezzar against Jerusalem, whom we know to be the parents of the remnant that later returns.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Jehoiachin,(also known as Jeconiah, Coniah) the king that was later taken from prison and given a portion from the Babylonian king's storehouse, was an ancestor of Joseph, the step-father of Jesus Christ. It was through Jehoiachin that Joseph had a direct line to the throne of David. It was alos Jehoiachin that God had cursed saying that none of his direct line would reign on David's throne, thus Jesus had an earthly claim as a son of David (which He also had as a blood-line through His mother, Mary) but was not subject to the curse.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• When a covenant with God is broken there is a time of exile. Because Adam broke a covenant with God we are all exiled. But one day while we were in bondage and imprisoned by sin God lifted our heads, sat us upon a throne, and continually feeds us from His table. One day we, the remnant that have accepted the pardon offered to us through the blood of Jesus Christ will return to the covenant land that God originally planned for us. The time allotted to the exiles in Babylon was 70 years. We do not know how long our time in exile will last. It could end at any time!

Journal Through the Bible: Week 77 Thursday

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Jeremiah 51:36-64

Jeremiah was privileged to foresee Babylon's future, including some events that were later revealed to the Apostle John! Jeremiah had "a quiet prince" by the name of Seraiah record the words that he, Jeremiah, received from the LORD during the fourth year of Zedekiah's reign. Seraiah then read those words to the captives in Babylon.

Does God issue any commands?

• God warns His people to flee from Babylon before destruction comes!
• The people in captivity were not to forget Jerusalem and God's holy temple.
• Through Jeremiah, Seraiah was commanded to preach the word of God to the captives in Babylon then bind the book around a rock and throw it into the Euphrates River.

Does God make any promises?

• God promised to plead the cause of Zion and take vengeance upon Babylon for her. Parts of Babylon would be uninhabited as a result.
• God promised that conquerors from the north would attack and subdue Babylon. Her walls would be burnt with fire. (This would be the conquering by the Medes and Persians that takes place in Daniel's elder years.)

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• Jesus is the King whose name is the LORD of Hosts.
• Seraiah was "a quiet prince" that preached the words of God in Babylon of the freedom that would come to the souls in captivity if they remained faithful to God. Jesus is a quiet prince that preached the words of God in this world of the freedom that comes to the souls in captivity if they remain faithful to God.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• This passage tells of the sudden destruction of Babylon, including the area becoming desolate and uninhabited. Revelation chapters 17 and 18 tell of the destruction of Babylon and the resulting mourning among the nations once her commerce has fallen.
• God warns His people in verse 45 to come out of Babylon before destruction comes to her. He repeats this warning in Revelation 18:4.
• Those dwelling in Babylon were reminded not to forget Jerusalem and God's dwelling there because one day a remnant of them would go there. We, as those who are dwelling in a foreign land, are reminded not to forget the New Jerusalem and God's dwelling there because one day we, the remnant of earth's inhabitants, will go there!
• Whether it is a parallel or even of any significance or not, Seraiah is told to bind up the Word of God around a stone and throw it into the Euphrates River. An angel does likewise in Revelation 18:21 when Babylon is destroyed. We are also told in Revelation 9:14 that there are 4 angels bound in the Euphrates that are loosed at the time of the sounding of the 6th Trumpet. These are the angels that gather an army to fight against Jesus. This precedes the destruction of Babylon.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 77 Wednesday

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Jeremiah 51:1-35

God's harsh words against Babylon continue. The Medes would one day conquer Babylon. There are also some very beautiful poetic references describing God:

He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding. When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. (verses 15-16)

Does God issue any commands?

• God warns everyone to flee Babylon.
• God said to mourn for Babylon because she would not be healed.
• God promised that Israel would be His battle ax and weapons of war.

Does God make any promises?

• God said that He would raise up a destroying wind against Babylon and those that rise up against Him.
• God promised that He would not forsake Israel and Judah.
• God swears upon Himself that He would fill Babylon with the conquering hordes.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• Jesus is the Holy One of Israel being sinned against. (See verse 5.)
• Jesus, as the second member of the Trinity, would have healed Babylon.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• This indictment against Babylon also has future implications. In the book of Revelation God calls His people out of Babylon before He destroys her. Even the imagery of the golden cup from which the nations drink and become mad (see verse 7) is mentioned in Revelation 17:1-6.
• Babylon is said to dwell upon "many waters" in verse 13 and again in Revelation 17:1. The day of vengeance that was executed by the Medes and Persians upon ancient Babylon was a foretaste of the judgment that awaits her on the terrible day of the LORD.

TAKE TIME: August 25-30, 2014 Schedule

Introduction: The kingdom passed from the Babylonians to the Medes and Persians during Daniel's captivity just as God had told Jeremiah it would many years before. God placed Daniel in a place of prominence under the new reigning authority much like he had under the Babylonian rulers.

 Assignment:

• Monday - Daniel chapter 6
• Tuesday - Daniel chapter 7
• Wednesday -  Daniel chapter 8
• Thursday - Daniel chapter 9
• Friday - Daniel chapter 10
• Saturday - Daniel chapter 11

Memory Verse

My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Daniel 6:22

Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God that He is the Lord over all the animals. He has the power to keep us safe from all creatures, no matter how wild!
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

Daniel worked for governments that were often hostile to his spiritual beliefs. He acted wisely in all matters because he prayed often and stayed true to his God even if it put his life at risk. The governments of this world are increasingly hostile toward faith and some Christians today find their lives at risk. But God is still God! Like Daniel, we need to act wisely, pray often, and be true to our faith! This week pray especially for Christians around the world that are being persecuted. And if there is a way to act wisely on their behalf, then by all means, do it!

Read Through the Bible in 2014: August 25-30 Schedule

8/25/2014	Isaiah 49, 50	Psalm 27
8/26/2014	Isaiah 51, 52	Psalm 28
8/27/2014	Isaiah 53, 54	Psalm 29
8/28/2014	Isaiah 55, 56	Psalm 30
8/29/2014	Isaiah 57, 58	Psalm 31
8/30/2014	Isaiah 59, 60	Psalm 32

Journal Through the Bible: Week 77 Tuesday

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Jeremiah 50:21-46

Does God issue any commands?

• God commands "someone" not named in verse 21, to go against Merathaim and Pekod to utterly destroy them. (This must be a reference to the Medo-Persian Empire that would conquer Babylon at the end of the Jewish diaspora of that period. So God did not name the Medes and the Persians in His command but we know through history to whom He is directing His command.)

Does God make any promises?

• God promised to open His armory and fight against Babylon because they fought against the LORD.
• Babylon's men of war would be cut off.
• A drought would come. Some of the land would no longer be inhabited.
• Many kings would come against Babylon, including the people of the north. (The country that made all other countries fear would experience that fear themselves.)

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• Jesus is the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. (He was born of Jewish blood, a descendant of Israel in the flesh.)
• Jesus is the Redeemer, the LORD of Hosts.
• God asks questions in verse 44. Jesus is the answer to all the questions. He is a chosen man appointed by God. He is like God the Father. He will appoint the time of wrath and judgment. He is the shepherd that stands before God the Father.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• A parallel could be drawn with the passages in Revelation, like chapter 18, that declare that Babylon the Great is fallen!
• Reference is also made to the declaration of Babylon's destruction made in Zion from those who escape from there. This could also be compared to the passages in Revelation where God calls His people out of her.
• The Redeemer will bring rest to the land.
• God promised a drought in the land. In the latter days one of the curses out of the angel's vial is a curse upon the drinking water.
• "At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations." (Verse 46) This was surely true in ancient times, this was surely true in our own time when forces toppled the regime, and it will surely be true in the future as described in Revelation 18.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 77 Monday

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Jeremiah 50:1-20

God used the Babylonians and the Chaldeans to punish the Children of Israel but God told Jeremiah that these peoples would also be punished. God said that those who persecuted the Jews and then protested that they had done nothing offensive would themselves be punished.

Does God issue any commands?

• God told Jeremiah to publish His words against Babylon.
• God said that one day the people must leave Babylon and the land of the Chaldeans and return to their own land.

Does God make any promises?

• God promised that a people from the north would conquer Babylon and Chaldea because they rejoiced over the tribulations suffered by the Hebrews.
• God promised that the people of Israel and Judah would seek the LORD and would gather together in Zion, weeping as they went.
• God promised to punish Babylon just as He had punished Assyria.
• God promised that the people would return to Carmel, Bashan, Ephraim, and Gilead.
• God promised to put away the sins of the people and remember them no more.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• The people were scattered as sheep without a shepherd. (See verses 6 and 17.) This is because the LORD of hosts was to be their shepherd. This is Jesus! And they had turned away from Him! But God promised to lead them back just as a shepherd would lead his sheep to pleasant places to feed. (See verses 19 and 20.)

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• We know that many of the remnant of Israel and Judah returned after the diaspora to their homeland after the 70 years of captivity had been accomplished but this passage also has future implications. God's people will seek Him like never before in the latter days and will worship in Zion. They will "join [themselves] to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten." verse 5

Journal Through the Bible: Week 76 Saturday

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Jeremiah chapter 49

Like the chapter before, God made a pronouncement against the descendants of Lot but this time it concerned the Ammonites. He also gave prophecies against Edom, the descendants of Esau, and several other people groups. War is the theme of this chapter!

Does God issue any commands?

• God commanded the people of Heshbon and Rabbah to cry and mourn for the destruction of the Ammonites.
• God told the inhabitants of Dedan to flee.
• God would lead Nebuchadnezzar to war against Hazor. God warned the residents of Hazor to flee.
• God gave commands to Jeremiah concerning Elam during the reign of Zedekiah.

Does God make any promises?

• War was coming to the Ammonites and they would be ruined. The Children of Israel would one day inherit their land.
• God promised to bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon.
• Complete calamity was coming to the people of Esau although God would care for the widows and orphans.
• The warriors of Damascus would retreat in battle but would be killed in the streets. The palaces of Benhadad would be burnt.
• Nebuchadnezzar would strike against Hazor and Kedar. No one would live in Hazor. It would be deserted.
• Elam would be struck by the heavens' four winds. The inhabitants of Elam would disperse to all other nations.
• God would set His throne in Elam.
• God will bring again the captivity of Elam in the latter days.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• The LORD that comes against Edom is described as an eagle with its wings outstretched over Bozrah. Since this is God being described, it is a type of Christ.
• The throne of God would be set in Elam. Since Jesus is the Sovereign Ruler His kingdom has some connection to the territory that once belonged to Elam.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Reference is made to the throne of God being in the territory of Elam. Is this a literal event? If so, is it future? I believe it must be!
• Reference is made to two groups of people whose captivity would be turned, Ammon and Elam. Elam's return is said to take place in the latter days. Perhaps this will happen when God sets His throne there and uses it as His base to destroy the king and the princes. (See verse 38.)

TAKE TIME: August 18-23, 2014 Schedule

Introduction: Now that we have finished reading Jeremiah's eyewitness accounts of Jerusalem's fall and his consequent forced exile to Egypt we turn our attention to the captives in Babylon. We will read one of the imprecatory psalms first. No author is given. Then we will spend several days in the book of Daniel. Daniel was a young man when he was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar but because of his faith and his abilities he soon came under the notice of the Babylonian king who promoted Daniel to a position of authority.

 Assignment:

• Monday - Psalm 137
• Tuesday - Daniel chapter 1
• Wednesday -  Daniel 2:1-46
• Thursday - Daniel 2:46-3:30
• Friday - Daniel chapter 4
• Saturday - Daniel chapter 5

Memory Verse

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to delver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Daniel 3:17-18

Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God that He is the Lord over all the elements. He has the power to make us fireproof!
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

Review past assignments.

Read Through the Bible in 2014: August 18-23 Schedule

8/18/2014	Isaiah 36-38	Psalm 17
8/19/2014	Isaiah 39, 40	Psalm 18
8/20/2014	Isaiah 41, 42	Psalms 19, 20
8/21/2014	Isaiah 43, 44	Psalms 21, 22
8/22/2014	Isaiah 45, 46	Psalms 23, 24
8/23/2014	Isaiah 47, 48	Psalms 25, 26

Journal Through the Bible: Week 76 Friday

You can't buy a ticket to
visit the country of Moab today!
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Jeremiah chapter 48

God had a few words to say about Moab, too.

Does God issue any commands?

• God warned the citizens of Moab to flee for their lives because destruction was coming.
• God commanded those around Moab to mourn for his destruction.

Does God make any promises?

• God promised woe unto Moab, including shame over their spiritual center when destroyed.
• God promised a curse to those who do the work of the LORD deceitfully.
• God said that wanderers would come to Moab that would cause Moab to wander.
• God promised that Moab would wallow in his own vomit because he magnified himself against the LORD and laughed at the calamity that befell Israel.
• The warrior men of Moab would be as fearful as a woman in labor.
• Unlike other nations that were destroyed for a season (Egypt, Israel) the nation of Moab would cease to exist. (It obviously did!)

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Jesus is the King whose name is the LORD of Hosts.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• I am not exactly sure what the last verse of this chapter means. God said He will bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days. Earlier verses seem to indicate that Moab would no longer be a nation (see verse 42) and no nation now exists that is known as Moab. However, God knows all of our genealogy or pedigree and it would be no problem for Him to unravel our ethnicity for us which would then bring again the captivity of Moab in latter days. Evidently God is not finished with Moab, the descendants of Lot!

Journal Through the Bible: Week 76 Thursday

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Jeremiah 46:1-47:7

Chapter 46 is a prophecy against Egypt. Like chapter 45, it begins with with a flashback to the time of battle between Pharaoh-necho and Nebuchadnezzar during the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah. It then returns to the time of Jeremiah's forced sojourn in Egypt. God used the past defeat of Egypt by Babylon to tell what would happen when these two nations faced off again.

Then God turned His attention to Philistia. He also had a prophecy against them.


Does God issue any commands?

• God said that He told the Egyptian army to array themselves for battle because it was the day of vengeance.
• God told Jeremiah to publish His words in Egypt.

Does God make any promises?

• God promised the destruction of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar and the demise of the Israelites that went to Egypt after the fall of Judah.
• God promised that the Egyptians would be taken captive by the people of the north as a punishment upon their gods.
• God promised that Egypt would again be inhabited as it had been in the past.
• God promised that Israel would return to the land and be at rest.
• God promised that Philistia would be conquered by the people of the north.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• Nations rise and fall at God's commands. Rulers rule or are overthrown at His word. Jesus rules and reigns at God's right hand and at His command.
• Jesus is the King whose name is the LORD of hosts. (46:18)

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• The New Testament teaches that there is yet another day of vengeance, the Day of the Lord, coming.
• The days when Israel inhabits the land without fear is yet to come.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 76 Wednesday

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Jeremiah 44:1-45:5

There is no way to get away from God by relocating! Chapter 44 continues the message of Jeremiah to the Jews that had moved to Egypt.

Chapter 45 is a flashback to the 4th year of king Jehoiakim, son of Josiah.

Does God issue any commands?

• God sent Jeremiah to preach to the Jews that had relocated to Egypt. These people were continuing to worship idols thus further angering the LORD.
• In the flashback message to Baruch, God told Jeremiah to tell him not to seek great things for himself. Trouble was coming but God would give his life unto him as a prey no matter where he went.

Does God make any promises?

• God promised that those that had gone into Egypt would die there by the sword, famine, and pestilence. Few would escape and return to Judah.
• Because the men and women flagrantly announced their intention of making offerings to the queen of heaven, God told them that those people would be denounced by God and He would bring evil upon them. 
• As a sign, God had Jeremiah tell the people of Judah that had moved to Egypt believing that they were safe there that Pharaoh-hophra would be taken captive by his enemy just as king Zedekiah had been.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• The ministry of Jeremiah to the Jews in a foreign country is very much like the ministry of Jesus when He left His heavenly home to come to a "foreign" country to preach to the Jews. Both preached the Word that they were sent by God to preach but in both cases the people stated that they would not listen.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• There is no escaping the plans of God. They will come to pass no matter what man does to avoid them!

TAKE TIME: August 4-9, 2014 Schedule

Introduction: This week we will conclude our reading of the book of Jeremiah. His writings ended with a prediction of Babylon's destiny and a synopsis of the capture of Jerusalem. We will read a psalm that describes how the people felt when they saw their city lying in ruins.

 Assignment:

• Monday - Jeremiah 50:1-20
• Tuesday - Jeremiah 50:21-46
• Wednesday -  Jeremiah 51:1-35
• Thursday -Jeremiah 51:36-64
• Friday - Jeremiah chapter 52
• Saturday - Psalm 79

Memory Verse

Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land; and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon. Jeremiah 51:34

Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God that He is our shepherd. He may scatter His flock but He knows each sheep by name and location.
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

Review past assignments.

Read Through the Bible in 2014: August 4-9 Schedule

8/4/2014	Isaiah 27, 28	Psalms 1, 2
8/5/2014	Isaiah 29, 30	Psalms 3, 4
8/6/2014	Isaiah 31-33	Psalm 5
8/7/2014	Isaiah 34, 35	Psalms 6, 7
8/8/2014	Amos 1-3	Psalm 8
8/9/2014	Amos 4-6	Psalm 9