Bible Pathways - Aug. 29, 2006

In Today's Reading:

Judgment of Babylon; fall of Jerusalem; captivity of Judah

The spectacular empire of the Chaldeans surpassed anything the world had ever known. Its capital, Babylon, appeared invincible, with walls over 300 feet high and wide enough for chariots to ride two abreast. The empire was enjoying absolute rule over all the nations when Jeremiah declared that Babylon is suddenly fallen. . . . thine end is come. . . . Babylon shall become heaps (ruins) . . . without an inhabitant (Jeremiah 51:8-62).

As foretold by the prophet, the Babylonian capital "suddenly fell." This was on the night that Belshazzar the king. . . . saw the part of a hand that wrote . . . on the wall of the king's palace. . . .God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it (Daniel 5:1,5,26). After the fall of Babylon, Cyrus, the conquering king of the Persian Empire, issued a decree urging the Jews to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. Most of the older generation that had been taken captive to Babylonia had died. The new generation was prospering under the new Persian rule and, consequently, only a small number felt a desire to leave.

The unwillingness of the majority of the Jews to forsake the luxuries of Babylon for the poverty and hardships they would experience in returning to Jerusalem has a modern-day parallel. How accurately this describes some who love the pleasures of the world and will not respond to the invitation of Christ, who said: If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me (Luke 9:23).

Many who seemingly consent to be "followers" of Christ drop out when things become difficult. Jesus illustrated this in His parable concerning the seed sown in stony places and among thorns. He likened such people to those who, when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the Word, by and by he is offended, and of others the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the Word (Matthew 13:21-22). Can anyone think it possible for a person to take up his cross daily (Luke 9:23) and yet devote his time, tithes, and talents to personal pleasures on the Lord's Day?

Jesus promised: There is no man that hath left house, or brethren . . . or lands, for My sake, and the Gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time . . . with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life (Mark 10:29-30).

Christ Revealed:

As the Creator of the universe (Jeremiah 51:15). All things were created by Him, and for Him (Colossians 1:16).

Word Study:

51:2 fanners =b> strangers, destroyers; fan =catter, disperse; 51:11 device =b> plan, purpose; 51:17 brutish =b> foolish; every founder =b> every metal caster; by the graven image =b> by the idol he has made; 51:25 mountain =b> power; 51:31 at one end =b> from end to end; 51:42 The sea =b> The flood waters of the Euphrates; 52:31 lifted up the head =b> showed favor to.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcast in honor of Bonnie Wilhite · Government Officials: Sen. John McCain (AZ) and Rep. David Reichert (WA) Country: Ireland (4 million) off the coast of western Europe · Major languages: English and Irish (Gaelic) · Religious freedom · 93% Roman Catholic; 3% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Pray in such a manner that others would be encouraged to praise and glorify God also (Jude 1:24-25).

Optional Reading: Revelation 3

Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 100:5