October 27th readings

(click on the date above for today's readings)
Jeremiah 51:1-53 ~ Titus 2:1-15
Psalm 99:1-9 ~ Proverbs 26:17

Jeremiah Chapter 51 is diving into Babylon's destruction. So far in this blog, we've been basically just looking at Babylon the city & empire and Nebuchadnezzar from the historical perspective - though, certainly seeing where and how God has been interacting w/ Babylon. I think it might be a good point here to consider the spiritual connotations of Babylon. A great place to begin this conversation is in Revelation Chapters 17 & 18 where Babylon is discussed.

I won't dive into trying to interpret these two chapters of Revelation today... :) We have yet to get to Revelation later this year... But, these two chapters may give you some more insight into the spiritual meaning of the term Babylon. If you do want to read more about Babylon in context of these two Revelation chapters, check out this link for an interesting commentary. An interesting tidbit in this link, which answers my question from yesterday's post: "As you undoubtedly know, the city of ancient Babylon is in Iraq, about 50 miles south of Baghdad on the Euphrates river."

It is interesting in the middle of Jeremiah 51 we have a few verses of a hymn of praise to God - verses 15 through 19. Again, in verse 18, idols are mentioned and can be assumed as one of the prime reasons of Babylon's destruction - "Idols are worthless; they are lies! The time is coming when they will all be destroyed." Do you believe that idols are worthless? Are they lies?

The other thing to note in this chapter is that earlier in Jeremiah we read about the coming destruction of Jerusalem - but always with the note of ultimate redemption. In this chapter with Babylon, and other chapters discussing Babylon, there is no redemption. The city will not be restored.

Titus chapter 2 today is jam packed with great wisdom from Paul... let these verses sink in. Verse 14 does jump out for me today - "He (Jesus) gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing what is right. "

Do you believe that Jesus gave his life to free you from every kind of sin? To cleanse you? And to make you his very own? Are you totally committed to doing what is right?

Psalm 99 is a great psalm of praise. I read that this Psalm mentions the word Lord 7 times. So, there's a learning tidbit for you. :) I like verse 6 - "Moses and Aaron were among his priests; Samuel also called on his name. They cried to the LORD for help, and he answered them." These were obviously some major characters in the Bible. Do you believe if you cry out to the Lord for help, he will answer you too?

Proverbs 26:17 just makes me chuckle. I don't know what it is about this Chapter of Proverbs, but the analogies are cracking me up. (I didn't post up the vomit one yesterday or a day or two ago... you'll have to look that one up, below). Today's verse tells us - "Yanking a dog's ears is as foolish as interfering in someone else's argument." When is the last time you yanked a dog's ears?? :) It is of course a true and effective proverb analogy....

What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings? Please post up in the Comments section below!

Grace,
Mike