Jeremiah 6:15—21:14

The Big Picture

Jeremiah “the weeping prophet” not only warns the people of Judah (the southern kingdom of Israel) of God’s judgment, but illustrates these warnings through visual object lessons. Among the object lessons in this portion of the book are the hiding of a linen loincloth (13:1-11), abstinence from marriage (16:1-9), a pot on a potter’s wheel (18:1-12), and the shattering of a clay jar to pieces (19:1-13).

What to Watch For

As you read these chapters, note especially two things:

1. The descriptions of the ways the people of Judah have fallen away from God. For example, in Jeremiah 13:25 God says, “You have forgotten me,” and in Jeremiah 14:10 God says, “They greatly love to wander; they do not restrain their feet.”

2. The seriousness God shows toward sin—for example, in Jeremiah 17:9 He says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” And in Jeremiah 19:15 He proclaims, “I am going to bring on this city [Jerusalem] and the villages around it every disaster I pronounced against them, because they were stiff-necked and would not listen to my words.”

Applications for Today

Do you take sin seriously? Do you consider how it affects your relationship with God and with other believers? When you allow sin to remain unchecked in your life, what are the possible consequences?

Colossians 2:8—1 Thessalonians 5

The Big Picture (Colossians)

In the latter portion of Colossians, the apostle Paul warns against false doctrine (2:8-23), encourages submission to Christ and holy living (3:1—4:6), and gives personal greetings to some specific individuals.

What to Watch For

Colossians contains practical advice for holy living. Chapter 3 begins, “since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above…. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” In other words, your practice of the Christian life needs to be consistent with your position in Christ. Colossians 3:1—4:6 provides a nice “portrait” of what a Christian looks like.

Applications for Today

• Colossians is very Christ-centered, affirming that Christ is supreme and everything we need can be found in Him. This calls for total commitment to Him in all things.

• Being a Christian means putting on the qualities of the new self and putting off the qualities of the old self.

The Big Picture (1 Thessalonians)

When Paul preached the gospel in the city of Thessalonica, he received a good response. A church was quickly started, but jealous Jews drove Paul out of the city. Paul then sent Timothy to check on the church and its progress, and Timothy brought back a good report to Paul. Paul then wrote this letter of encouragement to the Thessalonians, encouraging them in the faith and toward holy living, especially in light of the fact Christ could return at any time.

What to Watch For

What does Paul commend the Thessalonians for in 1:1-6?

What is the result of the Thessalonians’ testimony, according to 1:7-8?

Do you take time each day to ask God to help your life be a similar testimony?

Applications for Today

• What do your words and actions tell others about the Christian faith?

• The knowledge that Christ could return at any time should prompt us to holy living.

• God will help you to live blamelessly if you let Him (5:24).

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 7th, 2006 at 11:20 am and is filed under Commentary, Study Tips and Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.