October 22

OT -- Jeremiah 39:1-41:18
This part of Jeremiah makes me really sad. We know that the Assyrians took Israel and that Babylon took Judah. We read in Kings and again in Chronicles how wicked the vast majority of kings were. We read in Isaiah how hard Isaiah tried to sway Ahaz and the king of Judah over to God's way and how unsuccessful Isaiah was.
But Jeremiah gives it to us in intimate, graphic detail. Unsentimental detail.

I, myself, have a hard time with watching your children die, poking eyes out, being slaughtered as you come to bring tribute in a world/culture that is dying.

I have just finished reading (actually, listening to) Dies the Fire by S M Stirling. It is an apocalyptic world story (I cannot escape these -- after all, I live with Cole) and the saddest part of the whole story was how quickly society devolved into hurting one another. There was no pulling together to make it through the collapse. There is something to be said for being armed, to the teeth and not just with guns.

This was Jeremiah's world after the wall was breached. The one appointed in charge by Nebuchadnezzar seemed to be a decent guy -- he gave Jeremiah the choice as to where to go and be -- but within months, he was slaughtered and all the rest with him, leaving Ishmael (could the name be indicative?) in charge.

NT -- 2 Timothy 1:1-18
Here are two versions of the same song:




Both are by the same singer -- Eric Clapton. Both are the same lyrics, both the same tune.
What is different?
Well, for one, 20 years separate the two versions. Several marriages, including one to the girl he wrote Layla for (George Harrison's wife at the time), a couple of kids, the death of one, drugs, alcohol, the ins and outs of fame.

2nd Timothy is a lot like Layla.
It is the same singer/writer -- Paul. It is the same message/lyrics/music -- Jesus Christ has saved us and called us to live a holy life.
It is even roughly the same time -- 15-17 years if Acts is accurate.
The message is the same but the singer/writer has lived through some pretty tough times that would stun the strongest.
It is no wonder that he sounds a little depressed and a little downhearted. vs 15 "you know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygellus and Hermongenes."
Poor Paul. This letter has much to teach those of us who are edging or are already there at the tail end of life.

Psalm 91
This is my friend Nancy's favorite psalm and one that she gave both daughters when they went away to sleepover camp for the first time.
I do love the imagery of being covered by His feathers.