Jeremiah 52
Zedekiah did evil in eyes of the LORD verse 1- 3
Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign
and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem
and his mother’s name was Hamutal
the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah
And he did that which was EVIL in the eyes of the LORD
according to all that Jehoiakim had done
For through the anger of the LORD
it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah
till HE had cast them out from HIS presence
that Zedekiah rebelled
against the king of Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem for two years verse 4- 5
And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign- in the tenth month
in the tenth day of the month
that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came
he and all his army – against Jerusalem
and pitched against it
and built forts against it round about
So the city was besieged to the eleventh year of king Zedekiah
Famine was in Jerusalem verse 6- 7
And in the fourth month – in the ninth day of the month
the famine was sore in the city
so that there was no bread for the people of the land
THEN the city was broken up – and all the men of war fled
and went forth out of the city by night
by the way of the gate between the two walls
which was by the king’s garden
(now the Chaldeans were by the city round about)
and they went by the way of the plain
King and his soldier run but are caught verse 8- 11
BUT the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king
and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho
and all his army was scattered from him
THEN they took the king and carried him up
to the king of Babylon
to Riblah in the land of Hamath
where he gave judgment upon him
And the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah
before his eyes
he slew also all the princes of Judah in Riblah
THEN he put out the eyes of Zedekiah
and the king of Babylon bound him in chains
and carried him to Babylon
and put him in prison
till the day of his death
Burning of Jerusalem verse 12- 16
Now in the fifth month – in the tenth day of the month
which was the nineteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar
king of Babylon
came Nebuzar-adan – captain of the guard
which served the king of Babylon – into Jerusalem
and burned the house of the LORD
and the king’s house
And all the houses of Jerusalem – and all the houses of the great men
burned he with fire and all the army of the Chaldeans
that were with the captain of the guard
brake down all the walls of Jerusalem
round about
THEN Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carried away
captive certain of the poor of the people
and the residue of the people that remained in the city
and all those that fell away
that fell to the king of Babylon
and the rest of the multitude
BUT Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard left certain of the
poor of the land for vinedressers – husbandmen
Breaking up of Temple valuables verse 17- 19
ALSO the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD
and the bases and the brazen sea that was
in the house of the LORD
the Chaldeans brake and carried all the brass of them to Babylon
The caldrons also – shovels – snuffers – bowls – spoons
and all the vessels of BRASS wherewith they ministered
took they away
And the basins – firepans – bowls – caldrons – candlesticks
spoons – cups – that which was of GOLD in gold
and that which was of SILVER in silver
took the captain of the guard away
Breaking up of two pillars described verse 20- 23
The two pillars – one sea – twelve brazen bulls that were under the bases
which king Solomon had made in the house of the LORD
the BRASS of all these vessels was without weight
And concerning the pillars – the height of one pillar was eighteen cubits
and a fillet of twelve cubits did compass it
and the thickness thereof was four fingers – it was hollow
And a chapiter of brass was upon it
and the height of one chapiter was five cubits
with network and pomegranates
upon the chapiters round about all of brass
The second pillar also and the pomegranates were like to these
and there were ninety and six pomegranates on the side
and all the pomegranates upon the network were an hundred round about
Nebuzaradan took prisoners to be killed verse 24- 27
The captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest
and Zephaniah the second priest
and the three keepers of the door
he took also out of the city an eunuch
which had the charge of the men of war
and seven men of them that were near the king’s person
which were found in the city
and the principal scribe of the host
who mustered the people of the land
and threescore men of the people of the land
that were found in the midst of the city
So Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard took them
and brought them to the king of Babylon in Riblah
And the king of Babylon smote them
and put them to death in Riblah in the land of Hamath
Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land
Numbers of captives given verse 28- 30
This is the people whom Nebuchadrezzar carried away captive
in the seventh year three thousand Jews and three and twenty
in the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar he carried
away captive from Jerusalem eight hundred thirty
and two persons
in the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar
Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard
carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred
forty and five persons
all the persons were four thousand
and six hundred
Jehoiachin king of Judah treated will in Babylon verse 31- 34
And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year
of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah
in the twelfth month
in the five and twentieth day of the month
THAT Evil-merodach king of Babylon
in the first year of his reign lifted up the
head of Jehoiachin king of Judah
and brought him forth out of prison
And spoke kindly to him
and set his throne above the throne of the kings
that were with him in Babylon
And changed his prison garments and he did continually eat bread
before him all the days of his life
And for his diet there was a continual diet given him
of the king of Babylon every day
a portion until the day of his death
all the days of his life
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 2 And he did that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. (5869 “eyes” [ayin] means sight, understanding, presence, concern, look, or part of the body.)
DEVOTION: Our God is present everywhere. Our God knows all that is going on in our life. Our God sees what is happening in our life and around us every moment of every day. There is no hiding from the LORD.
The children of Israel thought that they could hide things from the LORD. The leaders had a secret room where they worshiped false gods in the Temple area. They thought God could only see what was above ground not what they were doing underground. They were wrong.
Each king was noted for his good behavior or his evil behavior. The LORD would judge them and the nation according to their behavior. The people had a choice to make between following the king or obeying the LORD. Too often they followed the leadership away from the LORD. They could have been stronger but it was the lazy way to handle things. They wanted to be politically correct rather than Biblically correct. This caused the LORD to have to judge them to bring them back to the right path.
Here we have another account of the destruction of Jerusalem by Jeremiah. He keeps adding facts to show that the people were not following the LORD. Remember that this book is not in chronological order.
Jeremiah closes the book with the facts surrounding the Babylonian defeat of Jerusalem. He doesn’t mention all the warnings the LORD sent but that the LORD used a famine to get their attention but they still didn’t listen to HIS instructions.
Too often we are like the children of Israel. HE has made it plain as to what we are supposed to be doing for HIM in our daily life but we seem to pick and chose what we can do easily rather than work hard for HIM.
What happens when Christians are lazy and selfish? People are not reached for the LORD. People observe what Christians are doing and know that they are not excited about their service to the LORD. Some would rather do anything else but serve the LORD.
There are even some Christians who are complaining even when they are blessed by the LORD with so many great things happening in their life. They always want more. They think they deserve it.
Those who are true followers of the LORD know what they deserve and it isn’t more blessings. HE gives them to us as we are faithful in our service to HIM. Faithfulness is honored by the LORD. Unfaithfulness is judged.
How many think that America is being judged because believers are not doing their part to reach this nation for the LORD. Satan loves to side step the issue of the Gospel with other issues.
CHALLENGE: Remember that the main issue is faithfulness to the commands of the LORD. If we are faithful, HE can bless us.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 13 And burned the house of the LORD, and the king’s house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great men, burned he with fire. (8313 “burned” [saraph] means kindled, consume objects by fire, or destroy by fire.)
DEVOTION: The captivity of Jerusalem and Judah was complete by the king of Babylon. His captain of the guard destroyed the city by fire. The walls of the city were set on fire. The house of the LORD was set on fire. The king’s house was set on fire. Finally, the houses of the leaders of Judah were set on fire. Sin has consequences.
Captivity is a consequence of sin. Every nation that doesn’t honor the LORD will have to face judgment. Every individual will have to answer to the LORD for their actions. We will not be able to blame others. We will not be able to use others as an excuse for our bad behavior like we are doing at present. We are to honor the LORD will all of our actions. Our life and possessions are in HIS hands to do with as HE pleases.
If HE thinks or knows that something is between us and HIM, HE can remove that obstacle. It might hurt but HE wants us to be close. HE wants us to show our love for HIM. Does HE need our love? NO!!! We need HIS love.
The Babylonians spoiled the temple in Jerusalem. They took everything they could break up and carry away. The king of Babylon killed the people that tried to escape. King Zedekiah had to watch as his children were killed and then his eyes were put out. Only the poor people were left behind in the land. The LORD was longsuffering toward Israel. They didn’t turn from their sin.
Our freedom to worship depends on our faithfulness to HIM. This freedom can be lost because we are not practicing it as we should. We can just give token worship with our mind and heart in a different place.
The same is true today. There is coming a judgment for those who refuse to turn from sin and follow Christ. They are going to spend eternity in a place called Gehenna. It is a lake of fire that will be kindled for all eternity.
Those of us who are true followers will one day stand before HIM at the Judgment Seat of Christ and our works will be thrown into the fire to see what will last. Only those works that were done with the right motive and attitude with last this time of testing. All others will be burned. Some people will be saved with nothing to show for their Christian life.
There are some people who say they will be satisfied with just making it into heaven by the skin of their teeth. The problem is that many of those individuals are not even heading for heaven. They are living with a false hope of heaven. Remember repentance means a turning from sin to service for the LORD.
It will not be a consuming fire but a place that will remind those that they are outside the presence of God by choice. Now is the time to share our faith with those around us.
CHALLENGE: At the communion table we are to examine ourselves to see what our actions and motives say about our service to the LORD. Will yours or mine all be burned up? Our prayer should be that there will be many stars in our crowns. One crown is giving to those who are soul winners.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 31 And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth day of the month, that Evil-merodach king of Babylon in the first year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison. (4984 “lifted up” [mithnasse’] means exalted, carry, to take up, raise, pardon, support, respect, or honor.)
DEVOTION: Hope is necessary in life. It was necessary for the children of Israel as they were in captivity for thirty years when this happened. It is thought that Jeremiah was about ninety years old when he gave this statement.
Some think that Evil-merodach was in prison with Jehoiachin when his father was ruler of Babylon. So they got to know one another while in prison. He was taken out of prison some time either before his father died or right after. He remembered Jehoiachin and brought him out prison as well.
So we have the book of Jeremiah ending on a note of hope. There was going to be a restoration of the children of Israel to the Promised Land under the administration of the Medes.
The children of Israel could have observed that one of the descendants of David was shown favor by the king of Babylon which could mean that the time of their captivity was going to end with them having hope for a future.
The LORD did punish HIS people because of their sin but HE also gave them hope for the future through HIS prophets. HE does the same for us today. We have hope in heaven even though it seems like this world is against the ONE TRUE God of the Bible. The Bible tells us that we will rule and reign with Jesus Christ in the future. Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. We can’t trust in this world but we can trust in the LORD to keep HIS promises to us that are found in HIS Word.
CHALLENGE: Always keep your eyes on the promises of the Word of God. It gives us a future and a hope that will not let us down. One day we will be honored by our Savior.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
House of the LORD burned verse 13, 17- 23
Seraiah the chief priest taken verse 24
Zephaniah – second priest verse 24
Three keepers of the door verse 24
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 2, 3, 13, 17, 20
Eyes of the LORD verse 2
Anger of the LORD verse 3
House of the LORD verse 13, 17, 20
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Nebuchadrezzar – King of Babylon verse 3, 4, 9- 12, 26- 30
He and all his army came against
Jerusalem
Gave judgment to Zedekiah
Slew sons of Zedekiah
Slew princes of Judah in Riblah
Put out eyes of Zedekiah and bound him
in chains and put him in chains
Smote all the people that Nebuzar-adan
brought to him – 3.023 captive Jews
18th year took from Jerusalem 832 persons
37th year Jehoiachin -king of Judah
Chaldeans verse 7, 8, 14, 17
Overtook Zedekiah in plain of Jericho
Carried all the brass of house of LORD
to Babylon
Took away caldrons, shovels, snuffers,
bowls, spoons, and all the vessels
of brass, basins, firepans, bowls,
caldrons, candlesticks, spoons,
cups, gold and silver, two pillars,
one sea, twelve brazen bulls,
chapiter of brass, pomegranates,
Nebuzaradan – captain of the guard verse 12- 16, 24- 26, 30
Burned house of the LORD
Burned all the houses of the great men
Broke down all the walls of Jerusalem
Carried away captive certain of the poor
Left certain of the poor for vinedressers
and husbandmen
took Seraiah the priest
Zephaniah – priest, and three
keepers of door
took an eunuch – which had charge of
men of war, principal scribe
threescore men of the people
brought them to the king of Babylon
to Riblah
Evil-merodach – king of Babylon verse 31
Lifted up the head of Jehoiachin
– king of Judah
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Evil in the eyes of the LORD verse 2
Rebellion verse 3
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Zedekiah (21 years old) verse 1, 3, 5, 8- 11
Ruled 11 years in Jerusalem
Mother’s name was
Hamutal – daughter of Jeremiah
of Libnah – did evil
Rebelled against king of Babylon
11th year – Babylon came against him
4/9 famine in Jerusalem – no bread
Army scattered
Taken to the king of Babylon
Jerusalem verse 1, 3, 4, 12- 15, 29
cast out of presence of LORD
residue of the people remained in city
Jehoiakim verse 2
Judah verse 3, 27
cast out of the presence of LORD
Men of war fled Jerusalem verse 7
King Solomon verse 20
Seraiah – chief priest verse 24
Zephaniah – second priest verse 24
Eunuch verse 25
Jews verse 28
Jehoiachin – king of Judah verse 31- 34
taken out of prison
continually eat bread before king of
Babylon until his death
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
The inclusion of Jehoiachin’s release as the conclusion of the Book of Jeremiah probably was intended to communicate hope to the despondent Jews that just as Jehoiachin had been freed, so one day the nation would be free. Thus the book ends on a positive note that a descendant of David was still alive and through him the kingdom could be reestablished. Jeremiah promised a restored Davidic ruler in 23:5–6; 30:8–9, 21; 33:14–17. Therefore chap. 52 is not an unnecessary postscript or anticlimax to the book. Rather, “The chapter seems to say: the divine word has been fulfilled—and will be fulfilled.” (Huey, F. B. (1993). Jeremiah, Lamentations (Vol. 16, p. 439). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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(nāśāʾ rōʾš, “lift up the head; NIV, “released”) is first found in Gen 40:13, 20, in the Joseph account. Jewish tradition claims Evil-Merodach was imprisoned by his father for some action in the government during a period of Nebuchadnezzar’s indisposition. While in prison, Evil-Merodach became a friend of Jehoiachin. On his accession to the throne, Evil-Merodach released Jehoiachin and gave him a prominent place at the royal table (so Freedman). The tradition has marks of an ad hoc explanation. (Feinberg, C. L. (1986). Jeremiah. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel (Vol. 6, p. 691). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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Jehoiachin began his reign at eighteen years of age, 2 Kings 24:8, and reigned but three months, but that he yielded himself to the king of Babylon besieging him, ver. 12, in the eighth year of the king of Babylon’s reign. He was a prisoner in Babylon, (as appeareth by this text,) in which circumstances he continued (as appears from this text) about thirty years; which was during the whole reign of Nebuchadrezzar, sometimes called Nebuchadnezzar, sometimes Nebuchodonosor. Evil-merodach was son to this Nebuchadrezzar, who, in the twelfth month of that year, the twenty-fifth day of the month, (saith this text, but, 2 Kings 25:27, it is the twenty-seventh day; but that difference may easily be reconciled: the penman of this part of holy writ might count precisely from the day of his father’s death, and the penman of the Book of Kings from the time of the coronation of Evil-merodach, or when he openly showed himself as king; or the one might reckon from the day that Evil-merodach decreed the thing, the other from the day when he put it in execution,) lifted up the head, which signifies in Scripture the altering of one’s estate that is in misery, Gen. 40:20, which is all that is here meant, for his bringing him out of prison is mentioned in the next words. The reason of this favour is variously guessed at. The reverend author of our English Annotations fancieth that Evil-merodach might be much of the same age with him, and that Jehoiachin got into the acquaintance of this Evil-merodach during his thirty years’ captivity, who considering his long imprisonment, and that now there was no danger of his heading the Jews, (whose city had now been destroyed twenty-five years and upward,) this prince out of his humanity might show him this favour; nor are such things unusual in nations upon their changes of princes and counsellors. (Poole, M. (1853). Annotations upon the Holy Bible (Vol. 2, p. 647). New York: Robert Carter and Brothers.)
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He was eighteen years of age when he was carried captive; so that he must be now fifty-five years old; see 2 Kings 24:8: in the twelfth month, in the five-and-twentieth day of the month; in the month Adar, which answers to part of February, and part of March: in 2 Kings 25:27, the favour shewn by the king of Babylon to Jeconiah, after related, is said to be in the twenty-seventh day of the month; it might have been determined and notified on the 25th, but not executed till the 27th; or it might be begun to be put in execution on the 25th, and not finished till the 27th. The Jews, in their chronicle, say that Nebuchadnezzar died on the 25th, and was buried; that, on the 26th, Evil-merodach took him out of his grave, and dragged him about, to abolish his decrees, and to confirm what is said of him in Isa. 14:19 and on the 27th he brought Jeconiah out of prison; but this is no reconciliation at all; the former is best. That Evil-merodach King of Babylon, in the first year of his reign; who succeeded Nebuchadnezzar, having reigned forty-three years; this king is called by Ptolemy Iloarudamus; by Abydenusp Evil-maluruch; by Josephus Abila-marodach; but by Berosusr as here: his proper name was Merodach, a name of one of the Chaldean idols, ch. 50:2. Evil was a nick-name, which signifies foolish; he was called foolish Merodach, on account of his ill conduct, or bad life: as soon as he came to the throne, he lifted up the head of Jehoiachim king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison; that is, he changed his condition for the better; he raised him out of a low estate to a more honourable one; he brought him out of a state of imprisonment and misery into a state of liberty and honour; what was the reason of this is not easy to say. The Jews have a tradition, that Nebuchadnezzar, after seven years’ madness, coming to himself, and to his kingdom, and understanding that his son Evil-merodach had been guilty of mal-administration during that time, and particularly that he rejoiced at his madness, cast him into prison, where he contracted a friendship with Jeconiah; and when he came to the throne, upon the death of his father, released him: but others think that Jeconiah being a comely young man, when he was brought a captive to Babylon, and about the age of this prince, he took a liking to him, and, pitying his case, shewed him this favour, as soon as he had an opportunity. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 5, pp. 697–698). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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The eye is used to express knowledge, character, attitude, inclination, opinion, passion, and response. The eye is a good barometer of the inner thoughts of man. (Schultz, C. (1999). 1612 עִין. In R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke (Eds.), Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (662). Chicago: Moody Press.)
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Of all the physical organs of the body, the eye was considered one of the more important. If a master should destroy the eye of a slave, that slave was automatically released (Ex 21:26). Not only are eyes assigned to men (Lev 21:20; II Kgs 4:34), to beasts (Gen 39:41), to birds (Job 28:7; 39:29) but also to wheels (Ezk 1:18; 10:12, where they symbolize the all-seeing God), to a stone (Zech 3:9, where they represent facets; cf. Ex 10:15 “eye [surface] of the whole land”) and to idols which are unable to use them (Ps 115:5; 135:6). (Schultz, C. (1999). 1612 עִין. In R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke (Eds.), Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (662–663). Chicago: Moody Press.)
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Anthropomorphically eyes are attributed to God. His eyes are in every place, observing the good and evil (Prov 15:3). They focus throughout the whole earth to defend the righteous (II Chr 16:9) while they are upon the sinful to destroy them (Amos 9:8). Man can find favor in the eyes of the Lord (Gen 6:8). He can do right in his eyes (I Kgs 15:11) or evil (I Kgs 16:25). Man prays for God to open His eyes (II Kgs 19:16=Isa 37:17; Dan 9:18). When God hides his eyes, he ignores the prayers and needs of man (Isa 1:15). When he directs his eyes to man, he sustains and delivers him (Ps 33:18; 34:15 [H 16]).
The eyes are depicted as spiritual faculties. After eating the forbidden fruit, the eyes of Adam and Eve were opened. They had lost their innocence, now being aware of their nakedness both physical and spiritual (Gen 3:5, 7). The eyes can be blinded to God (Jer 5:21), can be blinded by God (Isa 6:10; 44:18) and can be opened by God (Num 22:31; II Kgs 6:17). The eyes looking to the Lord represent expectancy and confidence (Ps 133:2). The law of the Lord enlightens the eye (Ps 19:8 [H 9]; cf. I Sam 14:28 to enlighten is to invigorate and revive, Ezr 9:8; Ps 13:3 [H 4]).
Isaiah confessed that he had seen the Lord with his eyes (6:5). However, this privilege is generally restricted to an eschatological dimension (Isa 33:17; Ezk 38:23; cf. Rev 1:7).
The eyes are a mirror of man’s inner being. The eyes reflect generosity (Prov 22:9, “good eye”), stinginess (Prov 23:6, “evil eye”), design (Ps 17:11), arrogance (Prov 6:17; Isa 2:11), humility (Job 22:29), mockery (Prov 30:17), pity (Ezk 16:5), and avarice (Eccl 4:8).
The phrase “in your eyes” is equivalent to opinion or judgment. In Judges each man did what was right in his own eyes (21:25). The fool is right in his own eyes (Prov 12:15). The temple had become a den of robbers in the eyes of the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Jer 7:11). Sarah had contempt for Hagar (Gen 16:4, 5) while Abraham had sorrow for Ishmael (Gen 21:11, 12).
The promise to preserve with special care is expressed by the phrase “apple of his eye” (Deut 32:10; Zech 2:8) which literally means pupil, but has now become an English idiom for what is precious. (Schultz, C. (1999). 1612 עִין. In R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke (Eds.), Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (663). Chicago: Moody Press.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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A More Sure Word
“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:19)
In this important passage, Peter explains the ultimate source of his writings. He did not merely repeat cunningly devised fables when he taught majestic things about the Lord Jesus Christ, but was himself an “eyewitness” of His glory and personally heard the very voice of God on the Mount of Transfiguration (vv. 16-18). The three chosen disciples witnessed His prophesied glory and heard God speak of Christ’s pleasing Sonship. There could be no doubt of God’s special plan for His Son. As eyewitnesses, they bore the onus of bearing witness to the facts.
But Peter downplayed the importance of his own personal testimony, even though it was a firsthand account and quite important, and he knew it was absolutely correct. The “more sure word of prophecy” he recommended, however, which outshines any human testimony, was the written Word of God, for the Transfiguration confirmed numerous Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ. Prophecies already fulfilled multiply our confidence in the rest of Scripture.
Oral or written testimony of human observers, no matter how trustworthy they may be, is still subject to human error and not “inerrant” in the same way as Scripture. Christians must always remember that the written Word of God is more certain than personal memories or impressions. The experiences we have must never be viewed as validating God’s Word. Rather, God’s Word validates our experiences. The early church only had a few portions of the New Testament in those days of beginning, but thankfully, we have it all and have ready access to it. Peter recognized it as superior to any personal testimony. How much more should we deem it trustworthy and authoritative? (JDM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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A teacher in the United Kingdom lost her job because of her public objections to transgender issues being taught at her son’s Church of England School. Kristie Higgs, 43, served as a pastoral assistant at an academy in Fairford, Gloucestershire.
According to CBN News, the events that led to Higgs’s firing for “gross misconduct” started with a post on her personal Facebook page. Higgs, a mother of two, took issue with pro-transgender teaching in her children’s elementary school. This included a book about a boy who wears dresses and Red: A Crayon’s Story, which features a red crayon who discovers that he is a blue crayon.
According to the Daily Mail, Higgs took to Facebook to express her displeasure and on her personal page said that, “children will be taught that all relationships are valid and ‘normal,’ so that same-sex marriage is exactly the same as traditional marriage, and that gender is a matter of choice, not biology, so that it’s up to them what sex they are.” In addition, she asked her friends to sign a petition against compulsory sex education.
The school received an email from someone who said that Higgs had shared “homophobic and prejudiced views.” The school investigated and fired Higgs for what the school called, “gross misconduct and illegal discrimination” for sharing thoughts “which could be deemed offensive.” In addition, the school said that her comments “could bring the school into disrepute and damage the reputation of the school.” However, the school possessed no evidence that her post had hurt the school in any way.
Higgs claims that the school fired her because of her religious convictions. The school responded that the firing took place “for reasons other than your religion.” Higgs claims that their statement is a “legal tactic” and that her firing “has everything to do with my religion.”
The BBC reports that Higgs initiated a legal challenge to the disciplinary action through the Christian Legal Centre, which is part of the lobbying group Christian Concern. Higgs released a statement through them and said she holds her views on sexuality and gender “because of my Christian beliefs, beliefs, and views which are shared by hundreds of thousands of parents across the UK.”
Higgs further elaborated on her concerns with the UK’s program of sex education, which education secretary Damian Hinds expanded in February to include same-sex relationships, transgender people, and other related issues. She said, my number one concern has always been the effect that learning about sex and gender in school will have on children at such a young age.”
Higgs also recognizes that her legal battle affects other concerned Christians in the United Kingdom. She said, “I am determined to fight this case and to stand for Christians and all parents across this country who are being silenced for sharing and holding these views.” (Scott Slayton writes at “One Degree to Another.”)
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Jesus meets with His disciples and institutes the Lord’s Supper.
INSIGHT
More than 2000 years ago, the Lord Jesus Christ ate a ceremonial meal with His disciples. This meal originated in the Passover and pictured Christ’s death, our need to receive Him personally for our salvation, and the fact that all those who are His people are a communion of saints. During the meal, He instructed His disciples to observe this ceremony regularly and with gladness until His return.
And so, whether called the Lord’s Supper, Communion, or the Lord’s Table, Christians today observe a solemn but joyous ceremonial meal which looks back to the redemption of the Cross and forward to the glory of the Second Coming. (Quiet Walk)
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THE CROSS AND JUSTIFICATION
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1
The cross is the door that leads to all blessings. Without it there is nothing. Without the cross and all it means, we have no blessings from God at all. But the cross opens the possibility to all of the endless blessings of the glorious God.
What are they? The apostle Paul never got tired of saying these things. Read what he says in Romans. He puts it like this: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” “Justified by faith” means that the moment you believe in what happened on the cross and see that is God’s way of reconciling you unto Himself, you are immediately regarded as just, your sins are all forgiven and blotted out, and you are clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
“Therefore,” says Paul, “being justified by faith, we have peace with God.” That is the first thing that comes out of this belief. There is no more important word in the letter of Paul than the word therefore. Note it. He always brings in this word “therefore” at a point of this kind. He has been laying down the doctrine, and especially the doctrine of the cross, and then he says, “therefore”—in the light of that, because of that, this is what follows.
And here is the first thing that follows. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God.” Do you realize what that means? Do you realize that is the most important and most wonderful thing that can ever happen to you, that you are given peace and made at peace with God? All our troubles in this life as human beings are due to the fact that we are in the wrong relationship to God. It is as simple as that.
A Thought to Ponder: Being justified by faith means that the moment you believe in what happened on the cross, you are immediately regarded as just. (From The Cross, pp. 178-179, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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