Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
41:1-2 In the seventh month Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, who was of royal blood and had been one of the king’s officers, came with ten men to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah. While they were eating together there, Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him got up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword, killing the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed as governor over the land.
(From Constable's Commentary) "Everything about Ishmael disgraced the name of David his forebear who had resisted every impulse to 'was through slaughter to a throne' and had awaited God's time and his people's will … even the well-meaning may be tempted to get things done, especially in corporate projects. That is, by guile rather than openness; by pressure rather than patience and prayer; in a word, by carnal weapons rather than spiritual, and towards ends of one's own choosing."
We often push ahead with our own agendas using our own meanings, rather than waiting for God
41:1-2 In the seventh month Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, who was of royal blood and had been one of the king’s officers, came with ten men to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah. While they were eating together there, Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him got up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword, killing the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed as governor over the land.
(From Constable's Commentary) "Everything about Ishmael disgraced the name of David his forebear who had resisted every impulse to 'was through slaughter to a throne' and had awaited God's time and his people's will … even the well-meaning may be tempted to get things done, especially in corporate projects. That is, by guile rather than openness; by pressure rather than patience and prayer; in a word, by carnal weapons rather than spiritual, and towards ends of one's own choosing."
We often push ahead with our own agendas using our own meanings, rather than waiting for God
42:7 Ten days later the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah…
God made them wait ten days and they stayed in Israel while they waited. But when God told them to stay permanently, they left! Their wilful disobedience is remarkable (Chapter 43). All the evidence pointed towards trusting Jeremiah and obeying the Lord – yet they didn't.
42:7 Ten days later the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah…
God made them wait ten days and they stayed in Israel while they waited. But when God told them to stay permanently, they left! Their wilful disobedience is remarkable (Chapter 43). All the evidence pointed towards trusting Jeremiah and obeying the Lord – yet they didn't.
43:7 So they entered Egypt in disobedience to the LORD and went as far as Tahpanhes.
(From Constable's Commentary) "Think of it! Abraham's descendants returned to Egypt long after their liberation from it. With great suffering they had been delivered from their bondage in Egypt only to return there a defeated and hopeless remnant nearly nine hundred years later…"
Hope lay with the exiles in Babylon.
43:7 So they entered Egypt in disobedience to the LORD and went as far as Tahpanhes.
(From Constable's Commentary) "Think of it! Abraham's descendants returned to Egypt long after their liberation from it. With great suffering they had been delivered from their bondage in Egypt only to return there a defeated and hopeless remnant nearly nine hundred years later…"
Hope lay with the exiles in Babylon.
44:18 But ever since we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have had nothing and have been perishing by sword and famine.
King Josiah had been a good king who destroyed a lot of idols and encouraged Yahweh worship, though the people only returned to God 'in pretense' (Jeremiah 3:10). Josiah was killed by the Egyptians. From then on there had been war, invasions, occupations and assassinations. People concluded that returning to Yahweh in Josiah's day had been a backward step for Judah.
When we worship God as a ritual, thinking we are pleasing him, we are greatly mistaken.
44:18 But ever since we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have had nothing and have been perishing by sword and famine.
King Josiah had been a good king who destroyed a lot of idols and encouraged Yahweh worship, though the people only returned to God 'in pretense' (Jeremiah 3:10). Josiah was killed by the Egyptians. From then on there had been war, invasions, occupations and assassinations. People concluded that returning to Yahweh in Josiah's day had been a backward step for Judah.
When we worship God as a ritual, thinking we are pleasing him, we are greatly mistaken.
45:5 Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the LORD, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.
Seems like Baruch had ambitions towards greatness. But God tells him and us, not to seek greatness rather trust God to protect our lives.
45:5 Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the LORD, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.
Seems like Baruch had ambitions towards greatness. But God tells him and us, not to seek greatness rather trust God to protect our lives.