Commuter Bible OT

As we cover the siege of Jerusalem and it’s fall there will be a lot of overlap as we try to cover all the material that pertains to this period in biblical history. Today, we’ll begin with a reading that spans the entire book of Habakkuk, wherein the prophet of the same name is recorded speaking to the Lord on behalf of his people. He openly and honestly struggles with understanding why God would allow injustice to prevail. By his conversation with the Lord, we are reminded of the sovereign power and authority of God, who calls the righteous to live by faith. Later, we’ll read the final chapter of 2 Chronicles which covers the last four kings of Judah, the destruction of Jerusalem, and then a jump to Cyrus of Persia who sends the people of Judah back to their land.

Habakkuk 1 - 1:07 . 

Habakkuk 2 - 4:38 . 

Habakkuk 3 - 8:59 . 

2 Chronicles 36 - 13:06 . 

Proverbs 14:16 - 18:20 . 

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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In our last episode, the prophecies of Jeremiah came to pass. The Chaldean army laid siege to Jerusalem and right before his eyes were gouged out, Zedekiah’s sons were executed in front of him. Our chronological reading of the Old Testament continues as we read this account from 2 Kings. In both readings we are introduced to Nebuzaradan, the Chaldean captain of the guards. Those who surrender to the Chaldeans are spared, and those who resist are put to the sword, usually at Nebuzaradan’s command. Through all of this, the Lord keeps His promises to Jeremiah and protects him from harm. What’s more, the leaders of the Chaldean army treat Jeremiah with greater honor and respect than the leaders of Judah did when they were in power.

2 Kings 24 - 1:06 . 

2 Kings 25 - 5:09 . 

Jeremiah 40 - 12:04 . 

Proverbs 14 - 16:44 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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From a chronological standpoint, today’s reading can be a little confusing. Have you ever been watching a TV show that begins with a jump in the story’s timeline for dramatic interest, then jumps backward to show the circumstances that have led up to that point? That’s what’s happening here. Our last reading opened with Jeremiah in prison, but there was no explanation of how he got there. The accounts in chapters 35-36 (starting after the first musical break) jump backward and lead up to his imprisonment, giving us narrative detail that we haven’t yet encountered. We’re going to be transported back to the days of Jehoiakim, and over the next two episodes we’ll see how Jeremiah wound up in prison.

Jeremiah 37 - 1:03 . 

Jeremiah 38 - 5:12 . 

Jeremiah 39 - 12:32 . 

Proverbs 13 - 16:31 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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From a chronological standpoint, today’s reading can be a little confusing. Have you ever been watching a TV show that begins with a jump in the story’s timeline for dramatic interest, then jumps backward to show the circumstances that have led up to that point? That’s what’s happening here. Our last reading opened with Jeremiah in prison, but there was no explanation of how he got there. The accounts in chapters 35-36 (starting after the first musical break) jump backward and lead up to his imprisonment, giving us narrative detail that we haven’t yet encountered. We’re going to be transported back to the days of Jehoiakim, and over the next two episodes we’ll see how Jeremiah wound up in prison.

Jeremiah 34 - 1:02 . 

Jeremiah 35 - 7:34 . 

Jeremiah 36 - 12:05 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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This part of the text may be a little confusing, so let me give a little historical context. The Babylonian siege began after King Zedekiah had been in office for nine years. This siege was lifted for a small window of time when the troops caught word that an Egyptian army was approaching. During this break, Zedekiah arrested Jeremiah because he was encouraging the men of Judah to surrender, but God commanded Jeremiah to tell them to do exactly that, to surrender. During this time, the Lord sends Jeremiah’s cousin to sell Him property, and at the Lord’s direction, Jeremiah buys it. Confused about the transaction, Jeremiah turns to the Lord for clarity.

Jeremiah 32 - 1:04 . 

Jeremiah 33 - 11:46 . 

Proverbs 12:15 - 18:19 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Today, the Lord offers consolation and hope for those in exile. After 70 years of living outside of the land the Lord has given them, the Lord will bring judgment upon those nations which brought destruction. His people will once again return to the land of promise. Though their land had been decimated by war, it will be brought back to life. The Lord then expresses His everlasting love for His people, promising to rebuild them and make them joyful once more. A new covenant is coming, one in which the Lord will put his teaching within his people and write it on their hearts. When that covenant comes he will forgive their iniquity and never again remember their sin.

Jeremiah 30 - 1:04 . 

Jeremiah 31 - 6:37 . 

Proverbs 12:1-14 - 17:52 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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In an age before billboards, movies, and cat videos, there were few ways to stand out from the crowd and command the attention of people who might otherwise ignore you. At the Lord’s command, Jeremiah frequently acts out some of his prophesies in order to dramatically display the reality of what will soon take place. You wouldn’t soon forget a man wearing chains and a yoke who looks you in the eye and tells you that you will be like him in the near future. Another prophet named Hananiah comes along, and in similar fashion breaks Jeremiah’s yoke, prophesying that the Lord will break the yoke of King Nebuchadnezzar, but things are not what they seem.

Jeremiah 27 - 1:05 . 

Jeremiah 28 - 6:04 . 

Jeremiah 29 - 10:43 . 

Proverbs 11:17 - 18:13 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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At this point in the life of Jeremiah, he has served as a prophet among the people of Judah for 23 years. During that time, the people have ignored his prophecies and his calls for repentance. Moreover, other prophets have come before him, but the people have not paid attention. As such, they have brought disaster on themselves and the cup of God’s wrath will poured out on them and on the nations. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, will destroy them, but after 70 years, the Lord will punish the nation of Babylon. The Lord commands Jeremiah to enter the temple and preach it’s destruction, but the people become furious and begin proceedings to put Jeremiah to death.

Jeremiah 25 - 1:05 . 

Jeremiah 26 - 10:00 . 

Proverbs 11 - 15:25 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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In our last reading, Jeremiah condemned Zedekiah and the three godless kings that preceded him. These leaders of Judah, whom the Lord addresses as shepherds in today’s reading, have led the Lord’s flock away from Him, but God promises to raise up one who is called “a Righteous Branch for David,” a king and a shepherd who will reign wisely and administer justice righteously. Moreover, the prophets of Judah have not only prophesied falsely in the name of the Lord, they have become so morally repugnant that when the Lord assesses them, they seem like Sodom and Gomorrah. While Jeremiah prophesies wrath and destruction, these false prophets prophesy peace. Finally, the Lord gives Jeremiah a vision of two different baskets of figs presented to God at the temple.

Jeremiah 23 - 1:05 . 

Jeremiah 24 - 11:41 . 

Proverbs 10 - 14:20 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Jeremiah has proclaimed that those who trust in men are cursed and those who trust in the Lord will be blessed. Today, the prophet must put this very teaching into practice, for after gathering the priests, prophets, and leaders of Judah to declare the judgment of the Lord, he is beaten, put in the stocks, and humiliated by one of the priests. Both before and after this event, Jeremiah pleads with the Lord to do something about the humiliation he endures, lamenting in sorrow over the day he was born. Later, King Zedekiah sends messengers to Jeremiah asking that he might inquire of the Lord on behalf of Judah, but instead of a prophecy of favor, he receives a prophecy of destruction and captivity for the leaders of Judah.

Jeremiah 20 - 1:05 . 

Jeremiah 21 - 5:30 . 

Jeremiah 22 - 10:06 . 

Proverbs 9 - 17:13 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

facebook.com/commuterbible

instagram.com/commuter_bible

twitter.com/CommuterPod

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[email protected]