Aug 2, 2022
JEREMIAH 24-25:
A stunning prophecy was given in yesterday's
reading:
Jer. 23:5-6 NLT “For the time is coming,” says the Lord,
“when I will raise up a righteous descendant* from King David’s
line.
He will be a King who rules with wisdom.
He will do what is just and right throughout the land.
6 And this will be his name:
‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’*
In that day Judah will be saved,
and Israel will live in safety.
How amazing it is that this identity of ‘The Lord Our Salvation/Righteousness’ is specifically linked with the Righteous Descendant— whom we now know is Jesus!
Yesterday's reading, from chapter 23, verse 33 contains an interesting command about not calling the Lord's message a ‘burden’. Note that in the Hebrew this is a play on words using the word ‘burden’ which can also mean ‘message’. In other words, the people ask, “What is the Lord’s message(meaning 2)” and Jeremiah is told to reply, “You are the burden(meaning 1).”
Some Christian leaders today would do well to note God’s angry statements about the prophets who pan off prophecies that just come from their own imaginations as coming from the Lord. I would not like to be in their shoes on Judgment Day!
PSALM 150:
The exuberant finale to the psalms!
1CORINTHIANS
6:17—7:
Yesterday's reading in 1 Corinthians started
out with Paul rebuking the Corinthian Christians for taking their
fellow believers to court before secular judges. Paul returned
briefly the theme of sexual sin. Then, in supporting his points,
Paul gave some of the most amazing verses in all Scripture about
our position in unity with Christ. Let’s review the last four
verses of chapter 6 to make the connection with chapter
7.
NLT Translation notes:
1Cor. 7:1 Now regarding the questions you asked
in your letter. Yes, it is good to abstain [totally] from sexual
relations.
22
And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are
now free in [because you are joined with] the Lord. And if you were
free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of
Christ.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.