From the Men's Bible Study, Oct.13

Jeremiah 31:27-34
The people of Judah have failed to follow God’s ways for generations. Despite Jeremiah’s appeals, they have refused to return to his ways. God has sent the Babylonians to punish them for these sins by deporting many and destroying Jerusalem. Israel, the northern kingdom, suffered a similar fate at the hands of the Assyrians over a century earlier. Now, through Jeremiah, God tells the people that restoration of both Israel and Judah will come. Recalling God’s commission to the prophet; Jeremiah now foretells the building and the planting. In early Israelite history, sin was largely collective: if a person sinned, it affected the whole nation. Jeremiah now explains, using a proverb, that henceforth “all shall die for their own sins”. The sin of one generation will no longer be inflicted on the next. Responsibility will be personal.

Timothy 3:14-4:5
In Palestine, based on popular books, people thought that a time of moral decay would precede the end of the world. The author of this book sees the decadence resulting from false teaching as contributing to this. Timothy has Paul’s example to follow, particularly the “persecutions he endured. Suffering for Christ is part of being Christian. While true Christians will be shown to be godly, false teachers “will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived” by the devil.
But the writer encourages Timothy to “continue”, and stand fast in what Paul and your family have taught you! Remember that the Old Testament, interpreted in the Christian community tells you about “salvation”, about Christ. “All scripture” has authority rooted in God and so gives a basis for human conduct. It enables all who speak for God, equipping them for good works, including “teaching". Thinking ahead to Christ’s second coming, “his appearing" when he will “judge” and begin ruling all creation, the writer now urges Timothy to “proclaim the good news", whether the time seems propitious or not. False teachers are undermining the faith now; perhaps “the time is coming” when no one will adhere to the true faith.

Luke 18:1-8
In Jewish society, a “widow” had no legal status; she was powerless. The story tells us twice that the judge is a rogue: he neither respects God nor cares about other people. So why would Jesus tell an absurd story? Because such stories are easily remembered and are likely to be retold, Jesus uses this incongruous story to teach the disciples a lesson. If even this rogue listens to a petition, how much more so will God, loving as he is, hear and answer the prayers of the faithful, those whom he has “chosen", by again sending Christ, to judge. He will grant them justice soon after he comes, however, they cannot know when he will come. But, Jesus wonders, will any still be faithful then, or will they all be preoccupied by other matters?

Submitted by Dick Nelson