Readings for: Monday, August 26: Jeremiah 49 – 50 Tuesday, August 27: Jeremiah 50 – 52
Our reading through Jeremiah has come to a close! Thanks be to God for that!! I was honestly relieved when I finished the last few verses, although I will admit that I appreciated the historical narrative that was weaved into the last several chapters. For me, it helped to put everything in its historical context. Which leaves me a mental note . . . next time we do this, we are going to try and weave the story together. For example, we’ll read a part from Kings or Chronicles and then follow up with the appropriate \readings from one of the Prophets. But that’s next time . . .
One other quick note, did you notice how the demeanor toward Babylon changed? Many times throughout Jeremiah Babylon was praised for being the aggressor nation soon to purge Israel for their sins. Then, after the exile, a warning is given to Babylon that their destruction will soon be at hand. Why? Same answer we’ve seen before . . . not following the ways and will of God.
So we know the outcome, but we haven’t had all the dots yet connected. What is going to happen to God’s chosen people while in Exile? Lets read on to find out!!
Peace, Pastor Bailey
Readings for the next few days: Wednesday, August 28: Lamentations 1 – 2 Thursday, August 29: Lamentations 3 – 5 Friday, August 30: Ezekiel 1 – 4 Saturday, August 31: Ezekiel 5 – 8
Readings for: Tuesday, August 20: Jeremiah 30 – 31 Wednesday, August 21: Jeremiah 32 – 34 Thursday, August 22: Jeremiah 35 – 37 Friday, August 23: Jeremiah 38 – 41 Saturday, August 24: Jeremiah 42 – 45 Sunday, August 25: Jeremiah 56 – 48
Sometimes life just gets in the way! I can’t believe that I’ve set this aside for six days without sharing any thoughts with you. Could it be that I was in a dark place for a few of those days? Maybe. Could it be that the start of the school year for our two boys put things on a side track? Perhaps. Could it be that the start of the school year put one of our boys in his own dark spot. Again, maybe. Did gathering with family and friends to celebrate my Parent’s 50th Wedding Anniversary over the weekend take precedence? Absolutely. And . . . did the undertones of Jeremiah have anything else to do with not wanting to write? Without a doubt. So my apologies! Prayers for our family, for the dark cloud over some occasions, for the joyous celebrations of others. Either way pray for our family.
So the dark cloud over Jeremiah . . . more likely the dark cloud over the Jews still in Jerusalem at the time. Destruction, terror, and devastation is coming at the hand of Babylon. We’d have to turn back to 2 Kings 24 to get the historical story of Nebuchadnezzar, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. It all gets a bit confusing as we read Jeremiah. Some actions are taking place in Babylon, some in Jerusalem, and some in Egypt. Then add to that, the fact that there were two different attacks on Jerusalem by Babylon, I had failed to remember that. One where Jeohiakim was killed and Jehoiachin was appointed as king before being exiled to Babylon. Then another, about ten years later, when Zedekiah was taken captive and Jerusalem finally fell. Now we have two kings, one in Jerusalem, one in Babylon, and both fearing for their lives and the lives of the people. As ugly as that sounds, we weren’t the ones living it.
Meanwhile, Jeremiah has a constant voice, which may seem a bit unusual at times:
You (the people) have sinned and strayed from God’s ways.
You will be captured and exiled to Babylon, and by the way . . . this is a good thing!
If you allow yourselves to be exiled you will live.
Eventually all will be restored.
However, if you remain in Jerusalem, you will die and all will be destroyed.
If you flee to Egypt, you will die.
If you go anywhere else, you will die.
Also, a side note from Jeremiah addressed to Egypt, the Philistines, and Moab you are about to be destroyed too.
The good news? Well its there, sometimes a bit overcast by all the doom and gloom, but its still there. God will remember the chosen people, and out of the exile all things will be restored. Obviously we know how that turns out from the stories of Nehemiah and Ezra, where the temple is rebuilt and the city walls restored. Obvously, we know the rest of the story as Jerusalem once again becomes great and a new king takes the throne. While maybe not fully recognized as king, this is the king of Kings who takes on the cross so that we may all be restored.
In the end, this gray cloud in the story of Ancient Israel provides the silver lining that guarantees new life for you and me. Still . . . weathering the storm of the gray cloud stinks while you are in it.
Peace, Pastor Bailey
Readings for the next few days: Monday, August 26: Jeremiah 49 – 50 Tuesday, August 27: Jeremiah 50 – 52 Wednesday, August 28: Lamentations 1 – 2 Thursday, August 29: Lamentations 3 – 5
I turned to the Twibble for a good chuckle as we continue to journey through Jeremiah. Four chapters in just a few words, as written by Jana Riess:
Chapter 26: Jer receives a Mafia death threat for being such a party pooper. Jer: “Go ahead. Make. My. Day.” Freaked-out mob backs off.
Chapter 27: Bible politics Q: “Should we rebel against Babylon?” A: “Not if you value your city, temple, and necks.” Hindsight’s a . . . “
Chapter 28: Jer and Hananiah in death match! But don’t bet on Han here. No one ever profits from betting against a prophet.
Chapter 29: Jer to exiles: “Marry locals and enjoy the hanging gardens in Babylon, cause you’ll be there 70 years!” This advice is not popular.
Couldnt’ have seaid it better, so we’ll leave it at that for today.
Peace, Pastor Bailey
Readings for the next few days: Tuesday, August 20: Jeremiah 30 – 31 Wednesday, August 21: Jeremiah 32 – 34 Thursday, August 22: Jeremiah 35 – 37 Friday, August 23: Jeremiah 38 – 41
Readings for the next few days: Saturday, August 17: Jeremiah 18 – 22 Sunday, August 18: Jeremiah 23 – 25
I don’t know what it is about Jeremiah, but I am having the hardest time staying engaged and connected with these readings. Maybe it is the post vacation blues, or the exhaustion that seems to have set in now that all my travels are over for the Summer. Maybe it is the bleak message that Jeremiah has to share over and over again. Unfortunate, and truthful, this has been the closest that I’ve been to saying, “I’m done, gave it my best shot, time to move on.” Then I think, we’ve made it this far, we can do this . . . and so here we are.
While I lament, I try and recall what things may have been like for Jeremiah. Can you imagine having the calling to warn the people of Jerusalem time and time again that devastation and hardship is soon to come? Sound pretty depressing. Even as challenging as it has been to keep reading for the past week, the scale of Jeremiah’s task and calling come to life in verse 25:3, “For twenty-three years . . . I have spoken persistently to you.” Imagine . . . 23 years with one message, you have sinned, you will be punished, Jerusalem will be destroyed, but a remnant will carry on. There isn’t much joy in that (unless you are one of the lucky few as part of those who remain).
Even as Jeremiah speaks difficult words to hear, they have consequence, personally for him. Chapter 20:1-6 give us just a glimpse of his suffering as Jeremiah finds himself placed in the stocks near the Benjamin Gate. The shame! The example! Yet, it doesn’t deter Jeremiah from proclaiming the Word of God. Of course, Jeremiah’s suffering is nothing compared to what the Jesus experienced on the the Cross. Just as Jeremiah continued on, and Jesus went willingly, so to ought we to do the same. Suffer through (yes even the long somewhat boring readings) for the sake of the Gospel, so that we might be a living breathing message of the hope and love that is found in Christ.
Peace, Pastor Bailey
Readings for the next few days: Monday, August 19: Jeremiah 26 – 29 Tuesday, August 20: Jeremiah 30 – 31 Wednesday, August 21: Jeremiah 32 – 34 Thursday, August 22: Jeremiah 35 – 37
Readings for: Tuesday, August 13: Jeremiah 4 – 6 Wednesday, August 14: Jeremiah 7 – 9 Thursday, August 15: Jeremiah 10 – 13 Friday, August 16: Jeremiah 14 – 17
While you were hopefully busy reading Jeremiah, Wendy and I took the boys on a quick end of the summer get away. Don’t worry, I kept up with my faithful reading, I just decided to put the blog away for a few days and enjoy some time with the family!
Together we ventured off to Canada’s Wonderland. Being roller coaster junkies, it was great, and I think we all may have a favorite new coaster . . . Leviathan. 306 feet, 92 mph, in the rain. What a rush! If you are into that kind of thing, I’d recommend it. Then on on our way home we made a day of Niagara Falls. I’m always fascinated by the Falls. A true display of God’s majesty and wonder on display, and living reminder for the over of abundance of grace poured out at baptism. Always a blessing.
So while I unpack and try to get organized for Sunday Worship, I’m going to leave you with thebibleproject.com and their explanation of Jeremiah. Hopefully it will help to explain some of the prophet’s words the dire message he seems to bring to the people of Jerusalem.
Readings for the next few days: Saturday, August 17: Jeremiah 18 – 22 Sunday, August 18: Jeremiah 23 – 25 Monday, August 19: Jeremiah 26 – 29 Tuesday, August 20: Jeremiah 30 – 31
Readings for the next few days: Monday, August 12: Jeremiah 1 – 3
As we turn from Isaiah to Jeremiah, there was one noteworthy similarity to the beginning of both of their ministry. Essentially . . . their mouths were touched. Think back to Isaiah chapter 6, when he had the vision of heaven. What happened? The Seraph flew and touched a live coal to his lips, and he was made clean. While nothing quite so grand happens to Jeremiah, there was a similar moment in the first chapter. “Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me, ‘Now I have put my words in your mouth.'” (Jeremiah 1:9)
While this may not be so grand as Isaiah’s vision, I find this to be a humbling empowering reminder of what is means to be a voice for God. To speak boldly, purely, sternly when needed, but always mindful of the call which was given to us at baptism. This reminds me of the words of St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.”
Remember you may be the only bible that some people ever encounter. Live your faith!!
Peace, Pastor Bailey
Readings for the next few days: Tuesday, August 13: Jeremiah 4 – 6 Wednesday, August 14: Jeremiah 7 – 9 Thursday, August 15: Jeremiah 10 – 13 Friday, August 16: Jeremiah 14 – 17
Readings for the next few days: Sunday, August 11: Isaiah 64 – 66
As Isaiah comes to a close, the Prophet revisits a theme that has been woven in and out of his writing, as we hear again of the potter and the clay vessel.
It is a humbling and fitting description for who / what we are. Molded by the hand of God. Fragile. Easily broken. While we may have lost sight of the significance of pottery and the connections that Isaiah is making to the people at that time, we still have a great apperiaciate for what is being said. For pottery is temperamental in nature. Mold it too fast, make the walls to thin, add too much water, bake it too long or too hot, drop it, miss treat it, and on the list could go. For any one of these items the pottery may will crack into shards that cannot be put back together.
If we treat a clay vessel with care and dignity . . . shouldn’t we do the same to one another? I believe that is the heart of what Isaiah is trying to remind us. For all of us are the miraculous work of God’s hands. All of us are unique and precious in God’s sight. All of us deserve the care, compassion, respect, and support of one another. So let us, in embody the same care the God has given to us through Christ, by treating one another as clay vessels, fragile, precious creations of God.
Peace, Pastor Bailey
Readings for the next few days: Monday, August 12: Jeremiah 1 – 3 Tuesday, August 13: Jeremiah 4 – 6 Wednesday, August 14: Jeremiah 7 – 9 Thursday, August 15: Jeremiah 10 – 13
In the 4th chapter of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus returns home and goes to the Temple as is his normal custom. Everyone is in awe as this young new prophet begins to speak. And what does he say? He quotes (for the most part) Isaiah . . .
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. (Isaiah 61:1-3)
The Spirit of the Lord is the breath of life that is visibly seen coming upon Jesus at his Baptism. It is the same Spirit that is poured out on the disciples/apostles at Pentecost. It is the same Spirit that calls us forth as the hands and feet of God. But what exactly does this Spirit call us towards? Isaiah helps us to understand that further . . . As we are all called to work toward justice and peace.
Think of life for those who live under the hand of oppression. For oppression comes in many forms because our our own definitions of who is in “entitled” based on their race, class, gender, sexual orientation, languages spoken, neighborhoods we live in, families that we come from, and many other social distinctions that you and I may put upon others. It is our human nature to want to place ourselves as better than someone one else. Can you sense that in Isaiah’s words? Can you place yourself in the shoes of someone that society has deemed as less than worthy? Even if we think we can, we really can’t. The best we can do is reflect on Isaiah’s words . . .
The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths. Their roads they have made crooked; no one who walks in them knows peace. Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us; we wait for light, and lo! there is darkness; and for brightness, but we walk in gloom. We grope like the blind along a wall, groping like those who have no eyes; we stumble at noon as in the twilight, among the vigorous as though we were dead. We all growl like bears; like doves we moan mournfully. We wait for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us. (Isaiah 59:8-11)
While life for those on the fringe of society may be a struggle. While they are oppressed and peace and justice may seem far off . . . there is still hope. That hope comes through you and me, realizing what we are called to do on behalf of those in need. Just as the Spirit of the Lord filled Christ, it fills us. Therefore we should be agents of peace and justice for all. Yet I say that with caution and a challenge, because God’s justice is not like our justice. God’s justice treats all people the same, sinners made saints through the death and resurrection of Jesus. So our call, our challenge, filled with the the Spirit of God, we should be striving for the equality of all people. No matter why/how they have been defined as different, outcast, and oppressed, we are all the same in God. We are all loved by God. We are all welcomed by God.
While the world has a long way to go, let us set aside our differences from one another, take up our calling, and live in the words of Isaiah . . .
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. (Isaiah 62:1)
God’s blessings, Pastor Bailey
Readings for the next few days: Sunday, August 11: Isaiah 64 – 66 Monday, August 12: Jeremiah 1 – 3 Tuesday, August 13: Jeremiah 4 – 6 Wednesday, August 14: Jeremiah 7 – 9
Our Churchwide Assembly came to a close on Saturday, with a festival worship service and the challenge to live in God’s peace and justice. A fitting challenge as we hear Isaiah’s words today!
Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. (Isaiah 55:1-3)
What an invitation! What generosity! What a model to life by as we are called to welcome everyone! No matter what race or ethnicity . . . Come! No matter the language you speak . . . Come! No matter how many treasures you may have stored up, or if you only live with the cloths on your back . . . Come! No matter what level of education you may have . . . Come! No matter what sexual orientation you may identify with . . . .Come! No matter how perfect, imperfect, right or wrong you may feel you are . . . Come!
Come . . . Because God accepts you just as you are! Come . . . Because God loves you just as you are! Come!
Therefore, as humble broken people longing to be in the arms of God we should . . .
Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; (Isaiah 55:6)
And when we fail to seek him, know that God still seeks us, and claims us as his own through the death and Resurrection of Christ!
Peace, Pastor Bailey
Readings for the next few days: Saturday, August 10: Isaiah 59 – 63 Sunday, August 11: Isaiah 64 – 66 Monday, August 12: Jeremiah 1 – 3 Tuesday, August 13: Jeremiah 4 – 6
During our last full day at our Churchwide Assembly in Milwaukee, we elected Deacon Sue Rothmeyer as Secretary of the ELCA. May God’s blessings be with her as she begins her work in this capacity. We adopted amendments to the Constitution which now states that Deacons within the ELCA will be “ordained” into their various calls. This is a significant milestone especially as much of the the day was spent celebrating and reflecting upon the 50th anniversary of ordination for women in the ELCA, 40th anniversary of the ordination of a woman of color, and 10th anniversary of the ordination of individuals in same sex monogamous relationships. It was another exciting day to be Church together.
Isaiah 53 brings us a rich meaningful text that simply speaks for itself. If you haven’t read it yet, let me share it with you:
Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By a perversion of justice he was taken away. Who could have imagined his future? For he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people. They made his grave with the wicked and his tomb with the rich, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain. When you make his life an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days; through him the will of the Lord shall prosper. Isaiah 53: 4-10
What more is there to say that, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Peace, Pastor Bailey
Readings for the next few days: Friday, August 9: Isaiah 54 – 58 Saturday, August 10: Isaiah 59 – 63 Sunday, August 11: Isaiah 64 – 66 Monday, August 12: Jeremiah 1 – 3
Thursday was a busy day for our Churchwide Assembly. We started the election process for our Churchwide Secretary. We adopted a Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment. It was empowering to see the stage filled with thirty or more individuals from other denominations and faiths with whom the ELCA is in partnership and conversation with. Together we recognize our common interest in caring for those in need and the world that God made. One of our greatest signs of this commitment came in participating in the World Council of Church’s “Thursdays in Black”. It is a call and challenge to put to an end to violence, rape, and injustice towards women. As many of us personally know someone who has experienced violence and rape, this is a challenge that reaches far and wide, and like would have an impact on someone you know.
First Lutheran Tiffin Ohio 44883 