Reading for September 1st

 BARUCH'S ACCOUNT

In chs. 37-45: Baruch is described as the author of these stories about Jeremiah and other survivors of the Babylonian invasion (45.1). Perhaps these chapter represent the additional words of the second scroll (36.32). The chapters show the exilic audience how to survive suffering brought on by invasion and its aftermath. They describe how the prophetic word was rejected, was fulfilled, and how it created conflict among survivors. Jeremiah himself appears as an example of fidelity. He is imprisoned and rescued twice, escapes with his life, and becomes a model of faithful survival.

Prison and release

Chs. 37-39: These chapters are all set during the reign of Zedekiah, who is as unaccepting of the prophetic word as his predecessor Jehoiakim.

Read Jeremiah 37.1-21. In ch. 37, the king consults with Jeremiah twice, at the beginning and the end of the chapter. The consultations frame Jeremiah's imprisonment. This arrangement suggests that the king is attempting to squeeze a favorable word from Jeremiah. In 37.3-10: Zedekiah's hope that the power struggles between Egypt and Pharaoh will reduce Babylonian power and avert disaster. Jeremiah says no. In verses 11-16: In a series of abusive acts toward the prophet, officials imprison him, as if they could imprison the word. In verses 17-21: Secretly, the king tries to persuade Jeremiah to give him hope, but the prophet faithfully repeats his message of doom and escapes with his life. Comments or Question..

Reading for August 31st

 Read Jeremiah 20-32. In verses 20-26: In a dramatic scene, the scroll is read to the king, who cuts it up and burns it as it is being read. The kings action is a symbolic attempt to destroy the uncontrollable power of the word by making it disappear. In verses 27-32: But the prophetic word cannot be erased; Jeremiah dictates another version and adds more words to it. Jehoiakim, therefore, is responsible for the fall of the nation, for he would not listen. Comments or Questions..

Reading for August 30th

 Read Jeremiah 36.1-19. In 36.1-32: Two scrolls. This chapter has many parallels with ch. 26, including strong indictments of King Jehoiakim. Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe, continues the prophet's message by writing it and by proclaiming it. In verses 2-8: Baruch is a reliable proclaimer of Jeremiah's message of repentance, written by divine command on a scroll. In verses 9-19: Supporters of Jeremiah hear Baruch's reading of the scroll and send him and Jeremiah into hiding. Comments or Questions..

Reading for August 29th

 Read Jeremiah 35.1-19. The Rechabites, by contrast, are faithful to their traditions. Little is certain about the identity of the Rechabites. In verses 8-10: They refrained from drinking wine and owning houses or land in the tradition of their ancestor, Jonadab son of Rechab. They exemplify true obedience, as shown in 2 Kings 10.15-27, where Jonadab assists King Jehu in purging Baal worship from the land. Comments or Questions..

Reading for August 28th

 A good king and a bad community

In chs. 34-35: These two chapters contrasts the failure of the king and the people to obey God's word (ch. 34) with exemplary fidelity of a small group of people called Rechabites (ch. 35).The former group faces the dire consequences if infidelity, and the later group gains a future because of fidelity. Both stories are set during the Babylonian invasion, but the behavior they describe concerns consequences in the exilic present.

Read Jeremiah 34.1-22. Jerusalem is under attack. In verses 6-7: Only the fortress cities of Lachish and Azekah have not fallen to the Babylonians. The times are dire. In verses 8-10: Zedekiah proclaims the freedom of Judean slaves, according to the law and God's command (Deut 15.12-14). At first all the people followed, but then they changed their minds, so they will go into slavery. In verses 18-20: They will be cut up like a sacrificial animal in a covenant offering. Comments or Questions..

Reading for August 27th

 Read Jeremiah 33.1-26. In 33.1-26: Restoration. The restored relationship between God and the people illustrated here. In verse 3: God invites Jeremiah to make requests. In verse 6: God assures the people of healing and prosperity. In verses 14-16: God promises to restore the kingship and the priesthood and to reunite the peoples of Israel and Judah. Comments or Questions..

Reading for August 26th

 Read Jeremiah 32.26-42. In verses 26-42: God replies to Jeremiah that there is a future. In verse 38: The covenant will be renewed. In verse 42: The one who brought the disaster will bring a new future. Comments or Questions..