Hebrews 1

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,  has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds. vv.1-2

Read chapter 1
To whom or from who we  don't ever read of the book of Hebrews.  We can gather that it is a letter written to Jews, for one the title is called Hebrews as well for the various recordings of reference to the old law, prophets and forefathers that Jews at this time would have been fully aware of.  There are also other hints through this book as well as following other time lines in the New Testament.   Many would just place it as one of Paul's epistles since he wrote so many that we have in the N.T. but the style doesn't seem to add up.  My conviction through studies is that Silas wrote this letter to the Thessalonians, though there is not room to get into this now..  
Well the letter of Hebrews is written to show Christ is higher than the Old Testament law and prophets; Jesus is put as THE HIGHEST PLACE not just equal in rank.  So often we hear today of people asking for angles to protect them, rather than Jesus or that either one would be fine.  Or how most Catholics put Mary and "saints" above or at least on the same (if not more) plane of honor as Jesus.  Even other religions recognize Jesus as another great man or prophet that once lived.  Yet Jesus has a more excellent reputation than any of Israel's most honored and we will see how the writer proves this true throughout this letter.  Why do you think it matters if Jesus is above or equal to other great men or angles?  Where do you think Christ should be placed in due honor? Where do you actually place Him in how you live each day with so many other "considered great" people?

Ezra 10

Arise, for this matter is your responsibility. We also are with you. Be of good courage, and do it. v.4

Read chapter 10
This last chapter of Ezra seems like an odd one to end on as it continues to talk about foreign wives and children.  But let us remember this is not a letter but a record of history.  The rebuilding of the temple was finished and Ezra the scribe was praying and mediating the words of the law to the people again after 70 years of captivity living without it. This was just a first step in a new beginning for them.  Often sometimes the first step in a new direction or way of life is the hardest and I'd say these men having to get rid of their foreign wives and children born by them would have been insanely hard, yet they knew it was right.  Now this is a hard thing for us Americans to understand today of the idea of getting rid of a spouse because they are not of God's people and that's because first off God doesn't give us this command through a law today, yet there is warning of hardship by not marrying someone that isn't a believer that could have been avoided.  We see Paul say the very opposite of what's here in Ezra, "But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.  And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him" (1 Corinthians 7:12-13).  This is not a contradiction in scripture but a change in dispensation.  Still today many cultures and religions all over the world hold this teaching, though not from God, they recognize the value in this: Islam, Catholic, Indian, to name a few.  
What I noticed in this chapter was that this man Shechaniah who is speaking, is a child of a man who committed this sin.  He also doesn't just say "figure it out yourself" to these men, but comforts them to say "we also are with you."  Our command today is to stay committed with our spouse even if they are not a believer.  As hard as it may be there are brothers and sisters in Christ who are with you to encourage you.  Do you have anyone you know?  How can you find them? If you are not married, do you seek this as a priority in a spouse to be a follower of Christ?

Ezra 9

For we were slaves. Yet our God did not forsake us in our bondage; but He extended mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to revive us, to repair the house of our God, to rebuild its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem. v.9

Read chapter 9
Praise the Lord He didn't leave not only the captives in their bondage but neither does He leave us in our bondage either as we read often in scripture of God saying, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deut. 31:6, Josh. 1:5, Heb. 13:5).
Ezra is astonished at the sin that is still so heavy among them.  When he realizes things that were contrary to their law taking place he tears his garments, pulls out his hear, and got down on his knees to pray(v.3).  He proclaims their great sin that is so many it reaches to the heavens, yet in God's mercy they're given respite as captives and opportunity to return, revive, repair, rebuild their land and temple, though still under Persia in their own land.  Ezra knows and admits their punishment is less than they deserve (v.13) and he encourages the people not to take God's grace for granted.  Often in our life we can feel forsaken by God, yet perhaps it's moreso we're missing His grace that is greater than a bondage we refuse to leave.  How have you seen God lead you out of your bondage to revive your soul and rebuild a life with Him?  How have you felt forsaken by God?  Why do you think that? What bondage are you having a hard time leaving and trusting God's mercy to help you out? Our sin is great, but God's grace is greater!

Ezra 8

For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.”  So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer. vv.22-23

Read chapter 8
Have you ever boasted proudly about something, but really were fearful?  We see that with Ezra here, yet his boasting wasn't in vain, but faced that inner fear that only made him stronger in his faith in God.
Ezra, not as well known among the other great men of faith in the Bible, yet one we should all know more and learn as a common man as he was.  Ezra was no great king or prophet, he was a scribe and he spoke highly and confidently of his God.  Ezra had asked already asked the king to gather men and materials for going to Jerusalem to help in the building and sacrifices at the temple; he had shared with the king how great his God was and of His power and wrath.  Now as Ezra and hundreds of men are traveling through enemy land becomes fearful of not having soldiers of Persian as protection of all the men, women and children he's traveling with.  Something that could have been so easily of a request and granting, he was too ashamed to ask for he boasted about his God and didn't want to show that he truly believed what he spoke. 

he knew that he had but to ask and have an escort from the king that would ensure their safety till they saw Jerusalem. Artaxerxes’ surname, ‘the long-handed'... could reach these wandering plunderers, and if Ezra and his troop were visibly under his protection, they could march secure. So it was not a small exercise of trust in a higher Hand that is told us here so simply. It took some strength of principle to abstain from asking what it would have been so natural to ask, so easy to get, so comfortable to have. But, as he says, he remembered how confidently he has spoken of God’s defense, and he feels that he must be true to his professed creed, even if it deprives him of the king’s guards. He halts his followers for three days at the last station before the desert, and there, with fasting and prayer, they put themselves in God’s hand; (MacLaren's Exposition)

This scribe's robes were a breastplate to this brave and humble heart in God.  How can you practice from relying on simple and natural reliances (not that it's wrong), and pray for God's wisdom and direction?  How have you felt like Ezra in boasting about your God, but struggling with putting that in to practice when faced with scary situations?  Bible scholar Matthew Henry challenges us to, "decline advantages which are within our reach, lest we should cause others to stumble, and so our God be dishonoured. Let us ask wisdom of God, that we may know how to use or to refuse lawful things."

Ezra 7

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel. v.10

Read chapter 7
We finally read of this man Ezra whom this book is named after.  We see that he was a skilled scribe of the Law of Moses- an administrative assistant we might call today that could type 100 words per minute.  Another amazing note about him recorded in scripture is how he prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord and put it into practice.  He didnt just read and write the scriptures but he studied and applied them in his heart and actions.
Do you study the Bible?  Do you know how to? That was for sure my struggle when I first started desiring to read the Bible, I just didn't really know how to start or what to read or how to dissect it as so many others seemed to do so naturally.  How another student of the Bible put it:

This is what happens when we have a respect for Scripture, but not a right view of it. In my study, careful though it was, I stood over the Bible in interpretive authority. What I didn’t truly understand was that it is not us who stand above Scripture, rather it is Scripture that stands above us as our authority.  When we approach the Old and New Testaments it is crucial to apprehend that, in a sense, we don’t read the Bible, the Bible reads us! The end goal of Scripture is not a purely academic understanding and recitation of God’s living truth but to be both transformed and conformed to it, and our interaction with it should reflect that. When you approach Scripture remember that you are approaching the powerful words of the living God. Meet him in humility. (www.shortdailydevotions.com)

Have you prepared your heart to seek God's Word and do it? You may not have extreme administrative skills, but God's word is for the simple too for "the testimonies of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple" (Psalm 19:7).

Ezra 6

Moreover I issue a decree as to what you shall do for the elders of these Jews, for the building of this house of God: Let the cost be paid at the king’s expense from taxes on the region beyond the River; this is to be given immediately to these men, so that they are not hindered. v.8

Read chapter 6
This just amazes me.  Not only did Darius find the record by king Cyrus to set the captives free and return to their land to rebuild the temple of God, but he adds a decree that government earning should be given to the Jews so that they can use it to build.  Anything the Jews wanted for not only building but also for sacrificing was given them.  With all the provisions the work of the building of the temple was soon and quickly completed.  All this for sure probably shocked Tattenai who's motive was to get the king on his side and stop the Jews from building.  For such a decree to be made by a foreign king to bless the Jews in this way, how could you not realize this was God's moving?  The last verse of this chapter makes it obvious, "for the Lord made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel."  We don't read if Cyrus and Darius were believers in the One True God, but remember who their mother and grandmother was: Esther, who probably had great influence on their family.  When God's timing of His purposes are not just minimally fulfilled and provided for rather they are abundantly fulfilled and from such a way or service as least expected.  Though there were oppositions and delays in this building project, in due season God brought it to full completion.  So we today wait for God's building project of His Kingdom to come fully on earth as it is in heaven for when it does it will cause all to be made joyful and turn their hearts toward God.  How have you experienced God's over abundant provision from where you've least expected?  How can you let God use you to provide for someone in that way?

Ezra 5

Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them.  So Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak[a] rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them, helping them. vv.1-2

Read chapter 5
After we saw the building of the temple be stopped in the last chapter, now twenty years later we see it start back up again.  What caused the Jews to start building again?  God's word through His prophets to the people.  Haggai and Zechariah were the prophets at this time and we can read of their prophesies in the books we have in the Bible.  These prophets didn't just prophesy years before of what would happen but right then and there of God's word and also helping them in the building; they were basically the project managers (vv.3-4).  These fresh and encountering words of God encouraged the people.  How might you need a fresh and encountering time in God's word to encourage you?
Of course opposition comes again as they begin constructing again but they continue on and speak wisely against this opposition.  The elders tell those in opposition of the command by Cyrus, king of Persia twenty years ago, to return to their land and rebuild the temple and walls along with articles of the treasury that were taken in their captivity; this is proven true in the records of the kings.  The other thing the elders do is admit the sins of their fathers for why their was destruction of their land and why they went in to captivity (v.12).  This wasn't to criticize their fathers and the past generation, but recognize and learn from past sin.  It's a hard but humbling thing to understand sometimes that those that came before us weren't perfect nor we ourselves.  Is it hard for you to talk about past generations sin because it may resemble your own?  

Ezra 4

Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. vv.4-5

Read chapter 4
Facing opposition doesn't always mean a closed door.  As we see in Ezra just as the captives were returning to their land laying the foundation in the rebuilding of the temple they were stopped by their adversaries, but this was only for a time of about 15 years (which could easily feel like forever) till they were able to start building again and finishing it.  Enemies will do whatever they can to close a door that God has opened.  We see right here that these enemies of Judah first try to build the temple with them (v.2) but this was not truly to help but a trick to confound its building.  When they are denied to join in the building of the temple they then try other means to stop this project.  They tried discouraging them in numerous ways of troubling their plans until ultimately they resort to getting the king of Persia involved and trick him in to stopping the building of the temple.  We will see in the coming chapters that they realized this opposition was not from God but from man, so they press on to complete the work of God in rebuilding the temple.  
When have you been made a target for people to discourage and trouble you as you aim to serve the Lord?  How can realize if a "closed door" is from the enemies or from God?

Ezra 3

So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard afar off. v.13

Read chapter 3
Some cried and some shouted for joy.  Tears of joy some might say.  Joy of finally returning to their home land, so overwhelmed with joy they cant help but cry.  Yet this also could be showing two different reactions of the people: some crying out of sadness and some shouting out of happiness. In verse twelve it says the old men were the ones weeping.  Those that had returned to the land 70 years later were probably few in number that could still remember what the old temple and walls were like as many of the older generation had died by the time of the return; children that were born in Babylon were the ones returning to the land they had never known.  These old men remember the great temple built by Solomon that was one of the great wonders of the world that people came to see; they remember the temple that had the ark of the covenant,  the tablets of Moses, the shechinah glory that filled the holy place.  Yet seeing this temple being rebuilt now after destruction and captivity they knew it would never be the same and couldn't be built to what it once was, all those things that made the temple what it was were gone.  The ones that didn't or couldn't remember the old days of the temple were looking at what God was doing now in their time and this is what was brining them to shout for joy having only known bondage in a foreign land.  How easy it is to wish upon times past and try to live in the past yet that can bring such sorrow; yet how easy it is too to only live in the present and not learn from the past.  We need to learn from the past, but live in the moment God has us in today.  How may you be trapped in the past and missing what God is doing now?  How are you so caught up in modern trends and not realizing God same lessons from generation to generation?

Ezra 2

Those who came with Zerubbabel were Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar,[b] Bigvai, Rehum,[c] and Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:  v.2

Read chapter 2
In this chapter we have lists of all the captives that returned to the land.  All the Israelite captives were set free from under the Persian Empire.  We then must realize that Israelites weren't bought as slaves to people in the reigns of Babylon and Persia, but were more a minority and colony of people living in a foreign land subject to the king, first Nebuchadnezzar and Artexeres and Cyrus, for they were all set free to leave and return by the king and not the king buying them from their masters to set free or commanding the Persian people to set them free.  Even in captivity an account was kept of their family line, and if it was lost if they were a priest they would not be able be apart of the priesthood any more.  Family ties were important no matter where in teh world they were living.  It's a bummer the value of that seems lost in todays world- at least in the USA.  How do you value your family ties?
We see in verse two same names you might recognize.  Nehemiah, the cupbearer we read about in the book of Nehemiah, and Mordecai, Esther's uncles from the book of Esther.  This verse and others in this chapter are exactly the same to that in Nehemiah 7 and can conclude that this part of Ezra takes place at the same time or after what goes on in the chapters of Nehemiah one through seven.  Throughout scripture we read many lists of names that seem of no importance to us, but when we start to recognize names and their story it can make it more valuable- just like in a read of a graduation list most the names are people you may not know but you listen intently and shout joy when you hear of the ones you do.  Verses of lists of names or numbers that seem meaningless at times really do have a purpose and help shed light on a matter of time when things happened; which in a court is always one of the main things trying to prove if someone is guilty or not of a crime by proving or disproving their timeline of events.  What names, numbers, timeline with Nehemiah stand out to you in this chapter?  

Ezra 1

Thus says Cyrus king of Persia:

All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah.  Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem.  And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem. vv.2-4

Read chapter 1

It's an amazing thing to read of a non-Israelite king say these words of praise and honor to God and his people as well as his command through God to tell the rest of the captives to return and rebuild.  Remember that Israel went into captivity by the hand of Babylon, but later the Persians conquered Babylon so the Israelites were under the king of Persia for the last part of their captivity (we see Esther marry the king of Persia).  This Cyrus is the son of Xeres and Esther, hence probably influenced by his mother of the God of Israel.

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah go hand-in-hand.  They both speak of the return from captivity of Israel to their land and rebuilding of the temple and the wall.  The chronology of these books is a debate among many studiers of the Bible; one will see of the much overlap of time frames as you read these two books alongside each other.  Though Ezra is first in order in our Bible doesn't necessarily mean it happened first.  Ezra is written about the building of the temple, whereas Nehemiah is written of the building of the wall (around the city for protection).  Wouldn't it seem like you'd need the wall of protection first before you started rebuilding the sacred place of the temple where many treasures were stored?  Could the reason be that the order of importance (temple of first importance) is why this record is placed before the other?  The temple was the place of worship and communion with God then, today we don't need to go to a building to worship and commune with God, but often there is something special about worshiping in a safe, quiet place where you can focus on your time with God fully.  What "walls" or place do you feel most secured behind to be in your time of worship with God?

Jeremiah 52

 These are the people whom Nebuchadnezzar carried away captive...All the persons were four thousand six hundred. vv.28-30

Read chapter 52
In this last chapter of Jeremiah we read a full review of the fall of Jerusalem.  The fall wasn't just a surprise attack out of nowhere but a long battle that finally came to an end.  We see from this review that there were three deportations of the Jews into captivity under Babylon throughout these years of siege and battle.  We realize these three deportations when we look at the rest of scripture at that time.  For example with Daniel and his friends Hananiah, Michael, and Azariah, we read, "Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans" (Daniel 1:3-4).  These were the cream-of-the crop so to say, they first class of the Jews that were taken first into captivity that the lower, poor classes were left still in Jerusalem and Judea.  Later Babylon takes more men of Israel into captivity and then the rest in the third deportation and the final destruction of Jerusalem.  It blows my mind that only 4,600 people total went into captivity in Babylon.  Yet we read of the 42,000 that return later to the land after captivity, still a small number compared to what Israel and Judah once were (millions of people).  The book of Jeremiah not only had prophesies of Judah's captivity and downfall but also of restoration afterwards and we see how all God's words through Jeremiah have come true so far and will continue to prove true as we see God's kingdom come in.
Jeremiah is a weighty book, but still challenges us today perseverance in our walk with God.   How has the last 52 days of devotionals through the book of Jeremiah challenged you as a believer today?

Jeremiah 51

One runner will run to meet another,
And one messenger to meet another,
To show the king of Babylon that his city is taken on all sides; v.31

Read chapter 51
We continue to read about Babylon's end during this time (for we know that Babylon will be in the future Kingdom as well).  We see this destruction of Babylon is a confusion to all the nations as well as to Babylon itself, being dumbfounded as to how this could happen.  The army of the Medes and Persians are the ones God is using to carry out this vengance.  Runners were men who were on posts keeping watch of any intruders that would run to and fro to be first to deliver the message of any happenings.  When the king of Babylon gets a message from not just one runner, but many runners it brings on confusion and realization that he is being attacked on every side even the water ways into the city as we see in verse 32.  Destruction was coming on Babylon we they did not even think of it.  Often times we can feel attacked on every side, one bad thing after another happening in our lives that seems to be out of no where.  Hopefully that opposite of this picture is for you, hopefully it is not God that is attacking you, but only the true enemy Satan and with God as your defense you can be sure that the enemy won't enter in, though he may try many angles and sides to catch you off guard.   How do you feel you're being attacked on many sides by the enemy?  Or how might God be trying to break down your walls that He may enter your life?  He's entering to destroy sin, not you, so allow Him in.

Jeremiah 50

Therefore hear the counsel of the Lord that He has taken against Babylon,
And His purposes that He has proposed against the land of the Chaldeans:
Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out;
Surely He will make their dwelling place desolate with them. v.45

Read chapter 50
The biggest and final judgment of the nations spoken through the prophet Jeremiah and that to Babylon, the greatest and strongest of the nations who had destroyed every nation around them.  Babylon is the nation that destroyed and took Israel and Judah captive according to God's plan and now we read of its judgment and destruction because of it's pride, idolatry and its treatment of God's people.  Its judgement and destruction go on thoroughly through two chapters, 110 verses.  Persia is the one that finally overtakes Babylon, a nation under Cyrus that did not have appear to have a strong army yet was able to draw the people of Babylon out and devour them. This prophesy of Jeremiah of Babylon's end is around 65 years before its fall (just at the start of the captivity of Israel), yet this would be a sign when the end of their captivity was coming to an end and they would return to their land.  This was the promise and hope given to the remnant that was left alive and under Babylon rule for so many years.  The majority of Jeremiah's prophesies up to this point were of Babylon's greatness and its conquering over all nations, but it soon too would have its downfall and made desolate.  There are many great enemies that seem to never fall, but often when they do its by someone least expected.  This enemy may not be destroyed but made desolate within themselves, an emptiness that is never filled with what they once sought.  How have you seen this idea come true in your life?  

Jeremiah 49

Against Edom.

Thus says the Lord of hosts:

“Is wisdom no more in Teman?
Has counsel perished from the prudent?
Has their wisdom vanished?
8 Flee, turn back, dwell in the depths, O inhabitants of Dedan! vv.7-8

Read chapter 49
Five nations are spoken of in this chapter of God's judgement on them.  One of them is Edom whom this people came from Esau, Jacob's (Israel) twin brother.  His judgment is due to his unbrotherly conduct.  All throughout scripture we read of Esau/Edom's hatred toward his brother Israel as well as we read of Edom's judgement through many prophets yet never one of repentance and restoration.  “Edom’s cardinal sin was its pride manifested in its unrelenting and violent hatred of Israel and its rejoicing in her misfortune (Obadiah 3, 10-14)" (Feinberg).  Edom even gave assistance to Babylon and collaborated in their destruction of his brother Israel (Ezekiel 25:12-14).  Teman was a well known region in Edom known for its wisdom as we see Job's friend Eliphaz from there, yet we also know his wisdom was of the world and not of God.  We see here that this worldly wisdom has vanished and is no more what their inhabitants can rely on.  Sarcastically, it appears, the Lord tells them to flee, turn back, dig deep to find somewhere to dwell as this may help them escape their judgment.  Yet only dwelling in the depths of God may we truly find safety and comfort even in facing judgment; just as a child being punished by their mom, still burrows his face in his mothers body wanting to be held and consoled by the one who's punishing him.  May we not dig deep in our own pride and wisdom but dig deep into God's arms and in His truth.
What is the conduct you and your siblings have?  Has pride and unrelenting continued to cause dissension even in the next generations?  What can you do today to bring repentance and restoration?

Jeremiah 48

Flee, save your lives!
And be like the juniper in the wilderness.v.6

Read chapter 48
I lived in the high desert of Oregon for almost six years and I loved it.  It was like no environment I had ever lived in before.  To me being a Minnesotan I called the land mountainous, but really they were just ginormous hills and canyons that stretched for miles and miles.  The land is pretty bare of lush vegetation yet with many places to graze cattle who eat the shrubs and grass, some fields for harvesting alfalfa, and juniper trees scattered around.  Being a Minnesotan we call all types of pine trees pine, not really knowing the difference of the different varieties of pines as one friend poked fun at me true of most midwesterners, so I called the junipers pine.  I thought pines were to grow in cold, humid climates, yet I was living in high dry dessert which is what makes the juniper variety so unique.  What I did grow to love was the sweet smell that was so distinct to the juniper when it burns.  
So of course as I read this chapter about the judgment on Moab for them to be like the juniper it caught my attention.  Moab is told to flee from destruction that is coming on them from the Chaldeans through God's judgement and to be LIKE THE JUNIPER IN THE WILDERNESS.  Just as the juniper is a barren, fruitless shrub in a dry, desert place so when they fled from their home they would be in a solitary place bare of all their material things yet where the enemy would stop pursueing them.  Just as Jeremiah said in 17:6, "For he shall be like a shrub in the desert,
And shall not see when good comes,
But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness
In a salt land which is not inhabited," 
so their trust in man and their own strength led to their destitution not even realizing when good came.  Moab is not a tribe of Israel but are still a people created by God.  They didn't have the standard of the law that Israel had, yet they still could have lived as a sweet aroma to God with what had been revealed to them.  How have you felt like the juniper, feeling dry and desolate, not bearing much use?  Even in this state you can still be a sweet smelling aroma to God and others if you chose to be on fire for Him no matter where you're placed.

Jeremiah 47

O you sword of the Lord,
How long until you are quiet?
Put yourself up into your scabbard,
Rest and be still! v.6

Read chapter 47
We continue to read of the prophesies to the surround nations of Israel through the prophet Jeremiah. This short chapter is against the Philistines, one of Israel's longest standing enemies as you may remember Golioth, the giant who David fought as a young boy, was a Philistine.  Philistine was going to be destroyed by the Chaldeans as well (just as we saw so with Egypt in chapter 46).  The destruction would be so great and intimidating that parents would even lose their natural tendencies of saving their children first before their own lives as we see in verse three.  It's hard to tell if it's the cry of the Philistines or that of Jeremiah in verse six asking the Lord how long will the sword of the Lord be going forth destroying, but the answer is in the following verse: until it has done what it was sent to do.  Kind of seems like the opposite cry we have today: How long will God be quiet?  When will His justice and rule come upon the earth to finally destroy the enemy and all it's deceit?  Oh how we want both for God to be active and still in justice depending on the circumstance of how it affects us.  God may be quiet now, but when He will soon speak we will never desire His silence again knowing how good and perfect His ways are and how lost and destructive we are without Him.  How are you listening to God in this time of His quietness?  Are you ready for Him to speak and come in all authority of heaven and earth? 

Jeremiah 46

Egypt is a very pretty heifer,
But destruction comes, it comes from the north. v.20

Read chapter 46
Now we read of prophesies to the nations, starting in the chapter with Egypt, to show that Israel can't rely on gentile powers against God's word.  As we just read in the previous chapters the remnant that was left that didn't get taken captive under Babylon or killed by famine or sword sought to seek refuge by going to Egypt even though God said specifically through Jeremiah that they shouldn't go there or else the sword and famine would follow them.  We read specifically of Egypt here being compared to as a very pretty heifer: well taken care of, beautiful, strong.   Yet when animals get to this right state it means the time now for slaughtering.  Now Egypt would be cut down.  Egypt and Babylon were the two mightiest of kingdoms yet eventually battle between them would come and "the mighty man has stumbled against the mighty" (v.12), one would have to fall, this was like the super bowl of nations: Egypt vs. Babylon.  Neither of these nations followed Jehovah God, they were not of the people of Israel whom were declared the Lord's people, yet they too were used by God.  Often we see nonbelievers fighting with other nonbelievers and we cheer for which one we want to win for whatever benefit it might bring us- even if it's just something we can boast in.  But let us remember that Babylon too was destroyed eventually, just as the Seahawks too will eventually lose the super bowl.  We ought to rely on God's word over any earthly power that seems like it will never be destroyed, for trusting in it we may destroy ourselves.  What ungodly strength of this world have you been turning to or trusting in?  How have you seen destruction on what you once sought so much power from?

Jeremiah 45

And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the Lord. “But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.”’” v.5

Read chapter 45
A very short chapter, only five verses long, yet sometimes it's nice when God's word is quick and to the point, especially those with a short attention span when it comes to reading the Bible.  Yet even in these five verses there is much to seek and learn.  
Now remember back in chapter 36 when Baruch wrote down all of the words God spoke through Jeremiah but king Jehoiakim cut it up and burned it?  Well here we have that same Baruch jumping back to that period on the timeline.  If you remember Jeremiah and Baruch had to hide from the king in case he became furious with God's words and took it out on them (which we see he did).  We see more what happened to Jeremiah and his suffering for God's words, but here we read of an encouragement to Baruch for what he was facing and enduring as being associated with Jeremiah being his scribe.  Matthew Henry describes Baruch as, "Young beginners in religion are apt to be discouraged with little difficulties, which they commonly meet with at first in the service of God. These complaints and fears came from his corruptions. Baruch had raised his expectations too high in this world, and that made the distress and trouble he was in harder to be borne. The frowns of the world would not disquiet us, if we did not foolishly flatter ourselves with the hopes of its smiles, and court and covet them. What a folly is it then to seek great things for ourselves here, where every thing is little, and nothing certain! The Lord knows the real cause of our fretfulness and despondency better than we do, and we should beg of him to examine our hearts, and to repress every wrong desire in us."
How has seeking great things for yourself caused you much distress?   Baruch would learn the prize would be his life, that it is worth more than anything in this world that he sought and how precious a gift life is and how quick it can be taken away.  Is your life a prize to you wherever you go?

Jeremiah 44

But since we stopped burning incense to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been consumed by the sword and by famine. v.18

Read chapter 44
When a sin is given up it seems as if anything good is gone, yet that pain or seemingly loss can actually be God's favor for our good.  These people are arguing that the worship and sacrifice to the queen of heaven brought them prosperity and good and when they didn't do it they only had calamity.    Yet they were looking at prosperity with the lenses of the world and not of God.  They got caught up in superstitions that appeared to be provisions of the queen of heaven based on their worship and offering to her.  God had provided their every need, yet it was when their hearts went astray from Him that they desired not what they needed but what the lusts of their flesh desired, fixing their eyes on the things of this world rather than on God.  What they thought they wanted and needed was only a temporary, short-term fulfillment  and not the enduring satisfaction that God could provide. Sin brings short-term pleasure and is why people continue to do it over and over again to continue that filling their searching for thinking they're getting what they want, but only God can satisfy our every need.  It may hurt at first stopping the sin of what you have clung to for so long, but when God fills that emptiness you fill it is a million times greater than any cheap sin fulfillment.  What sin is deceiving you for more benefit than what God provides?

Jeremiah 43

“Take large stones in your hand, and hide them in the sight of the men of Judah, in the clay in the brick courtyard which is at the entrance to Pharaoh’s house in Tahpanhes; and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will send and bring Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant, and will set his throne above these stones that I have hidden. And he will spread his royal pavilion over them. vv.9-10

Read chapter 43
Have you ever read the old tale where everything the princess touches turns to gold?  Well this seems like that's the case with Israel, only not everything they touch turns to gold rather to destruction.  The remnant that is left and was to be under the governor Gedaliah whom the king of Babylon had set up, was murdered along with many.  As they sought the word of the Lord through Jeremiah they didn't care for the answer and did the opposite God told them- they went to Egypt.  Now here in this chapter, Jeremiah being with them (I don't understand why) as they travel to Egypt, the Lord speaks through Jeremiah as a sign what will happen to them since they've disobeyed the Lord.  It wasnt a question that they didn't know they weren't suppose to go to travel there, but they had a very specific ask of God and got a specific response from Him.  How have they not understood over and over again that the words Jeremiah was speaking have been coming true, that they really are God's words, that captivity did really come, that those that didn't flee in surrender to Babylon were killed, and now doubt that destruction will follow them if they go to Egypt?  Wherever they turn other than the Lord's way turns to destruction- even in a land of safety and peace.  Is there a theme or pattern in your life that you find everything you say or do turns to gold or turns to destruction?  I'm sure we'd all rather have everything turn to gold, yet destruction usually follows as we're trying to go our way instead of God's way.  How has following God's way brought prosperity in your life that you didn't see how before?

Jeremiah 42

“The Lord has said concerning you, O remnant of Judah, ‘Do not go to Egypt!’ Know certainly that I have admonished you this day. v.19

Read chapter 42
The everlasting command to Israel since the Exodus: "Do not go to Egypt."  Egypt was the rival kingdom at this time with Babylon and so those that had not been taken captive by Babylon thought it best to join the enemy, yet God warned them against this idea and plan of theirs.  The people asked Jeremiah to ask the Lord for direction on what they should do, yet they had already made up in their minds that they would go to Egypt no matter what God would say despite them taking the step to ask of the Lord through the prophet.  The sword and famine would follow them no matter where they moved to thinking they would be safer in another land than where God was commanding them to go: Babylon.  God said if they would stay in the land of Babylon that He would build them up and not pull them down and to not be afraid of the king of Babylon for God will save and protect them.  Yet their eyes and ears were fixed on where they thought there was no war or no hunger.  Yet just moving to a "safer" place doesn't mean you're hidden from sin and disobedience of the Lord. It's foolish to just leave a place because there is trouble in it, especially if the Lord tells you to stay there.  There may be some benefit of less temptation of certain sins if you are moving today for that reason, but the sin and desire inside of us needs to be confronted for you cannot move from you own self.  Have you ever moved (homes, friend groups, jobs, etc) to fix a problem?  Did it work?  What "moved with you" that you didn't expect to follow?

Jeremiah 41

Then Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men who were with him, arose and struck Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword, and killed him whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land. Ishmael also struck down all the Jews who were with him, that is, with Gedaliah at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans who were found there, the men of war. vv.2-3

Read chapter 41
The threat of Ishmael killing Gedaliah from chapter 40 comes to pass here.  Ishmael son of Nethaniah was of the seed of David and must have thought he had more right to be named governor than Gedaliah who was named governor by the king of Babylon to those left after the destruction and captivity of Jerusalem.  So this jealousy and pride led to the murder not only of Gedaliah but to many men, women and children who were under Gedaliah's care.  Ishmael and the men with him had come to Gedaliah in deceit eating a meal together yet in this moment of hospitality and fellowship is when they attacked.  Just when this remnant of people thought this war with the enemy was over and thought they had nothing left to lose, some of their own people take their lives.  Luckily for those that were left alive and captive by Ishmael are rescued by Johanan who was Gedaliah's friend who had warned him of Ishmael and they go to dwell near Bethlehem and under the Babylonian administration. 
May we always be on guard to of the battle after the battle, especially among our own people.  

Jeremiah 40

Then Johanan son of Kareah said privately to Gedaliah in Mizpah, “Let me go and kill Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and no one will know it. Why should he take your life and cause all the Jews who are gathered around you to be scattered and the remnant of Judah to perish?” v.15

Read chapter 40
Jerusalem is now destroyed and just about everyone is in captivity.  The very few that are left, the poorest of the poor, are put under the charge of Gedaliah who is made governor by the king of Babylon and dwelling in Judah.  Gedaliah now has to not just think of himself but for the people in his care, yet failing to do this put everyones life on the line.  Yet even this small remnant is soon destroyed as we'll read in the following chapter due to Gedaliah's decisions.  Gedaliah is warned in public but doesn't believe the report that Ishmael is seeking to kill him, so Johanan thinks to go to him privately to express this truth he knows, yet still Gedaliah does not believe him.  He may have not minded his own life at risk but wasn't thinking of what would happen to the others if he were killed.  How often this discernment comes to mind of parents, they are no longer single making decisions that will only effect themselves but effect those under their care that God has given them.  Gedaliah may not have known if this was a true or false report but taking precautions at these two warnings ought to have been sought.  Who comes to mind when you make decisions of who will all be effected?  How does that play in to your decision making?

Jeremiah 39

Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had given these orders about Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard:  “Take him and look after him; don’t harm him but do for him whatever he asks.” vv.11-12

Read chapter 39
The final fall of Jerusalem where now everyone is taken into captivity except a of a few we read here.    The Babylonians have finally broken down the walls of Jerusalem and killed or taken captive those still in the city.  The captain of the army, Nebuzaradan, leaves only the very poor who had nothing (v.10).  But the other person shown favor to is Jeremiah.  After all those years of prophesying and suffering, Jeremiah is now shown rest and favor.  Nebuchadnezzar gives the command not to harm Jeremiah but to do whatever he says.  Wow! Jeremiah rejected by his own people the Jews, but honored by the gentile nations.  How Jeremiah was heard by Nebuchadnezzar is not really known, perhaps by those that had heeded God's word to flee there before Babylon took over that they may save their lives.  Jeremiah wasn't just released from prison to a destroyed city with nothing, but was looked after and provided for whatever he asked.  Jeremiah is allowed back at his home in Ramah and under the care of Gedaliah whose father had befriended Jeremiah and who now becomes the governor over the cities of Judah appointed by the king of Babylon.
How have you seen favor shown by nonbeliever than by believers to someone or something of God today?

Jeremiah 38

So Ebed-Melek took the men with him and went to a room under the treasury in the palace. He took some old rags and worn-out clothes from there and let them down with ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern.  Ebed-Melek the Cushite said to Jeremiah, “Put these old rags and worn-out clothes under your arms to pad the ropes.” Jeremiah did so. vv.11-12

Read chapter 38
Again Jeremiah gets thrown now in to a cistern- a deep pit full of mud.  It was so deep that ropes were needed to pull him up.  This man Ebed-Melek who goes to save Jeremiah from this near death prison is kind enough to even use clothes to cushion under his armpits as they pull him up to not tear his flesh with the ropes.  Jeremiah had just been in the horrible prison at Jonathan's place when the king "saved" him and put him in an open course prison instead yet enemies of God aren't satisfied with this and find another way to brutally imprison him.  Yet this man Ebed-Melek, who is an Ethiopian, rises up to speak to the king about what has happened and given orders form the king to pull Jeremiah out and place him back under the king's courtyard guard.  Ebed-Melek may not have been a believer in God, or maybe so, but he saw the unjustness being done to Jeremiah and so spoke up.  Sometimes people you'd least expect to speak up for you when you're being treated unjustly do and it's to an encouragement of your soul.  Jeremiah has been suffering so much for God, yet he will count it all worth it as he enters God's Kingdom.  May we take that mindset when we suffer in this world for Christ, that all will be worth it when we get to heaven that we have no regrets that we didn't suffer more for His truth!  How has an unlikely "Ebed-Melek" spoken up in your life when you were in distress?  We see him rewarded in the next chapter...

Jeremiah 37

Jeremiah was put into a vaulted cell in a dungeon, where he remained a long time. v.16

Read chapter 37

The siege of the Babylonians had left because they heard Pharaoh's army from Egypt was coming to help Judah- yet this is only a scare for all of Jerusalem is eventually taken captive and destroyed.  Because of they brief release it appears as if the false prophets were right and Jeremiah wrong.  Jeremiah doesn't doubt this but as he's going back about his normal business he gets throne in a dungeon taken in prison by the king at Jonathan's home.  He's there many days as they are hoping these horrible conditions would break his spirit by the time he's brought to the king.  Yet Jeremiah's posing and prophesy doesn't waver and I think the king partially knew too for he sent for Jeremiah privately.  The king was hoping for a different word from God than what God's word already said.  How true many people think and act today not taking God at His world that we have written yet seeking some other word from God for their own benefit that goes against what is already said and written?  Often you'll hear people say, "The Lord told me..."  It's hard to always know if it's true or not, but if it goes against what we read in the Bible than you can be sure it is false.  When have you seen or heard something like this?  Zedekiah, for whatever reason, shows compassion for Jeremiah despite not telling him what he wanted to hear and puts him in an open courtyard prison with bread daily.  He must have know his efforts against God were in vain and didn't want the death of God's prophet on his account.

Jeremiah 36

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. v.23

Read chapter 36
Cutting and burning God's words.  It happen then and still happens today.  God told Jeremiah to write down all the words He had spoken to Jeremiah so perhaps the people would hear it and turn.  Even when the princes of Judah heard all the words written they knew it was God's words and said they must be read to the king.   They also knew it could go bad with the king so they told Jeremiah and Baruch his scribe to hide.  So when one of king Jehoiakim's servants read hi Jeremiah's school, Jehoiakim starts to cut up the scroll and then throw it in to the fire.  Jehoiakim didn't like God's words, His judgement to come on Jerusalem and himself, so perhaps he thought if he destroyed they words they wouldn't come true.  God has Jeremiah and Baruch write the school again is what we read today.  Yet just like Jehoiakim many people like to "cut" things out of the Bible they don't like.  They pick and choose what morals they'll follow an does they don't agree with they choose to ignore or make a fairy tale out of it or go flat out against it.  The Bible today may be cut up or burned but never can the enduring word of God be destroyed.  Isaiah 40:8, "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever."
How have you seen people "cut" God's word today?  How have or do you find yourself cutting God's word?  Why?

Jeremiah 35

‘Jehonadab son of Rekab ordered his descendants not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather’s command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me. v.14

Read chapter 35
Why does it take telling one person something just one time then taking another person hundreds of times the same thing?
Well here we read of the Recabites.  They were the sons of Jonadab.  Their father commanded them not to drink wine and they held to that.  Yet Father God as He spoke to Israel over and over again would not listen and obey their Father.  The Recabites were a saint to Israel for their disobedience.  These Recabites fled from invasion by Babylon and were living in Jerusalem yet still lived obeying their father's command.  Unfortunately Israel living in their land don't even obey their Father- so would they even in they were in a foreign land?  I think not.  What are some examples of how you see this example played out today?  Recab receives a blessing for their obedience in remaining to be a servant for God while Israel will receive punishment for their disobedience.In what way are you disobeying to God in your own home or town that you think would be different if you lived somewhere  else?  In why was has disciplining yourself in one thing led you to be discipline in another thing or another place?