Search The Scriptures —Study 20 — Jeremiah 30:1- 31:26

Study 20 From the Book of Jeremiah is: Jeremiah 30:1 – 31: 26

This passage forms part of a group of prophecies. It was a time of darkness and despair and Jeremiah himself apparently derived much comfort from the message (31:26).

1.     This passage falls into sections which are all variants of the one theme, that after judgment will come restoration. See 30:1-3, 4-11, 12:22, 23, 24; 31:1-9, 10-14, 15-20, 21-22, 23-25. What are the blessings promised?

2.     To what extent have these blessings been fulfilled? Observe that they are spoken of northern Israel as well as of Judah (30:4; 31:1). Cf. Rom. 11:25-27.

3.     Meditate on the greatness of the blessings here promised as fully realized only in Christ.  Cf. Jn. 7:37, 38; 15:9-11; 16:27.

Notes

1.     30:14. ‘All your lovers’: i.e., the nations with whom Israel has sought alliance. Cf., verse 17b.

2.     31:2. ‘The wilderness’: here denoting the place of exile.

3.     31:15. ‘Rachel is weeping for her children’: a graphic picture of the sorrows of the exile. Rachel, the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, is depicted weeping in her grave, which was near Ramah, as the exiles pass by. Cf. 40:1; also Mt. 2:17, 18.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 19 — Jeremiah 29

Study 19 From the Book of Jeremiah is: Jeremiah 29

Those who had been carried into exile in the first captivity under Jehoiachin (2 Ki. 24:14-16) were being made restless by prophets who prophesied falsely that they would soon be set free. Jeremiah therefore wrote a letter to them declaring that the exile would last seventy years.

1.     What as revealed to Jeremiah, were the Lord’s thoughts (a) towards the exiles in Babylon, and (b) towards Zedekiah and those who remained in Jerusalem? With verse 17, cf. Chapter 24.

2.     Verses 10-14. What is God’s doing and what man’s in the promised restoration?  Note the divine initiative and sovereignty throughout this chapter, and indeed throughout the book.  Note also how its benefits are to be enjoyed.

3.     What three prophets are mentioned by name by Jeremiah? What accusations did he bring against them, and what judgment did he pronounce upon them?

Notes

1.     Verse 24. ‘Shemaiah’: that he, too was a prophet is seen from verse 31.

2.     Verse 25. ‘Zephaniah’: probably the same as the Zephaniah who in 52:24 is called ‘the second priest’. i.e., second to the high priest. Cf. 21:1

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Search The Scriptures —Study 18 — Jeremiah 27 and 28

Study 18 From the Book of Jeremiah is: Jeremiah 27 and 28

Five kings of surrounding nation seek Zedekiah’s co-operation in an attempt to throw off the yoke of Babylon. Jeremiah opposes the plan.

1.     What means did Jeremiah use to impress upon the five kings the futility of resistance to Babylon? Notice the claim which God made for Himself in His message to these heathen rulers (27:4-7).

2.     What did Jeremiah condemn in the propaganda of the prophets’?

3.     In chapter 28 we have a leading prophet of the time attacking Jeremiah, and we can consider the two men at close range in what respects did they resemble each other, and in what respects did they differ?  Ponder Jeremiah’s now unwavering courage in predicting passive acceptance of Babylonian control in the face of prominent religious opposition. What ought we to learn from this?

Note. 27:16-22. Only a part of the vessels of the Temple had at this time been carried off to Babylon.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 17 — Jeremiah 26

Study 17 From the Book of Jeremiah is: Jeremiah 26

Jehoiakim was a very different king from Josiah.  At the beginning of his reign, therefore, God sent Jeremiah to warn the people against being led astray into further disobedience to Him.

1.     What reason does God give for sending His servant on this dangerous mission? See verse 3 and cf. 2 Ch. 36:15; 2 Pet. 3:9; Lk. 13:34, 35.

2.     Note the points of resemblance between Jeremiah and Jesus (see Study 8, Question 3; and Mt. 16:14) e.g., cf. Mt 24:1, 2; 26:61; 27:4, 24, 25. Consider also the experiences of Jeremiah and Uriah in the light of what Jesus foretold for His disciples. Cf. Jn. 15:18-20; 16:33; 1 Pet. 4:12, 13.

Notes

1.     Verses 4-6. It seems probable that this brief summary of Jeremiah’s words is given more fully in chapter 7.

2.     Verse 18.  ‘Micah of Moresheth’: see Mi. 1:1, 14.

3.     Verse 24. ‘Ahikam the son of Shaphan’: one of those sent by King Josiah to consult the prophetess Huldah (2 Ki. 22:12, 13), and the father of Gedaliah, who was made governor after the fall of Jerusalem (40:5, 6).

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Search The Scriptures —Study 48 — Matthew 28:1-20

Study 48  From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew  28:1-20

With this lesson, we end the book of Matthew and will go back once again to the book of Jeremiah starting with Jeremiah 26.

1.     Note the foremost place taken by women disciples in the story of the resurrection appearances.  Why should this be (cf. Jn. 14:21)? Contrast the effect of the news of the resurrection on the disciples with the response of Christ’s enemies recorded in verses 11:15. How does this prove the truth of Lk. 16:30, 31?

2.     Verses 18-20. Note the fourfold repetition of the word ‘all’ in Christ’s final commission. What is the threefold task given to the Christian church? Are we obeying, as we ought to do, in the light of (a) Christ’s authority, and (b) the promise of His presence?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 47 — Matthew 27:51-66

Study 47 From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 27:51-66

1.     What is the significance of the torn curtain of the Temple (verse 51)? Cf. Heb. 9:8; 10:19-23.  How are the manifestations recorded in verses 52, 53 linked with these truths?

2.     What made Joseph of Arimathea (and Nicodemus, Jn. 19:39) come out into the open at this late stage? Is it not at first sight strange that they should now publicly associate themselves with Christ?  What, in the purposes of God, did such a burial demonstrate and make possible?

Note. Verse 62. ‘Next day, that is, after the day of Preparation’: it looks as if, in their concern to safeguard the tom, the Jewish leaders even broke their own sacred sabbath laws.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 46 — Matthew 27:32 - 50

Study 46 From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 27:32 – 50

1. What were the real sufferings of Christ?  In what way are physical, mental and spiritual sufferings here indicated?

1.     What, if any, truth is there in the taunt of verses 41-43? Why did God not intervene? What is the meaning behind Christ’s own sense of desertion in verse 46? Can you hold this truth with that contained in 2 Cor. 5:19. ‘God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself’? See also 2 Cor. 5:21.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 45 — Matthew 27: 15-31

Study 45 From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 27: 15-31

1.     In these verses the Jewish people made a fateful choice. Note especially verses 20 and 25. It was the choice of what kind of saviour they wanted (see Note below). What was the result of this choice in the life of the nation?

2.     In how many ways did Pilate seek to avoid a decision about Christ? Cf. Lk. 23:7. Read again the question in verse 22. Is this not a question which I, too, must ask and answer?

Note.  Verses 16, 17. There is good textual evidence in favour of reading ‘Jesus Barabbas’. This makes the question of verse 17 even more telling.  This was a choice between a false claimant and the true Saviour.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 44 — Matthew 27: 1-14

Study 44  From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 27:1-14

1.     What lessons concerning the inevitable judgment upon sin are to be found in the account of the death of Judah?  Can you see any sense in which we may be tempted to act like Judas in our situation, or is he unique?

2.     Consider the silence of Jesus in these last hours of His life.  Cf. lk. 23:9. In the light of this, read 1. Pet. 2:-23 and note the lessons for our own life and witness.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 43 — Matthew 26: 57 - 75

Study 43 From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 26: 57 – 75

1.     The trials of Jesus and Peter were running concurrently, but with such different results.  What was Peter’s failure, and what was the reason for it? Do you see any difference between this and the failure of Judas?

2.     Verses 59 – 68. In what ways was the trial of Jesus unworthy of the name of Justice? In contrast note the majesty of Jesus at this point. What would you consider the salient characteristics of His witness here?

Note. Verse 64. ‘You have said so’ is more than the equivalent of ‘Yes’. It indicates that Christ’s Kingship was real, but different from the concept in Caiaphas’ mind.

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