Jeremiah 47-48/Mark 3-4
God deals violently with obstructions to knowing Him.
OT – 47:2-5 This is what the LORD says: “A flood is coming from the north to overflow the land. It will destroy the land and everything in it–cities and people alike. People will scream in terror, and everyone in the land will weep. Hear the clatter of hooves and the rumble of wheels as the chariots rush by. Terrified fathers run madly, without a backward glance at their helpless children.
“The time has come for the Philistines to be destroyed, along with their allies from Tyre and Sidon. Yes, the LORD is destroying the Philistines, those colonists from Crete.The city of Gaza will be demolished; Ashkelon will lie in ruins. You remnant of the Mediterranean plain, how long will you lament and mourn?”
OT Flash Points
The day the Palestinians are destroyed by God
Moab destroyed
NT – 3:1-6 Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. Would he heal the man’s hand on the Sabbath? If he did, they planned to condemn him. Jesus said to the man, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Is it legal to do good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing harm? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him. He looked around at them angrily, because he was deeply disturbed by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Reach out your hand.” The man reached out his hand, and it became normal again! At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to discuss plans for killing Jesus.
NT Flash Points
Secrets of the Kingdom are hidden by cultural religion (traditions of man)
Sabbath, chosen, family, fruitfulness, growth, Jesus Himself
Perspective:
How do we respond to God’s benevolent attacks on what threatens His plans for us? Do we even ask ourselves if that is the source to the problems we’re having?