August 8 - Evening

"When the priest Pashhur son of Immer, the official in charge of the temple of the Lord, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things, he had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put in the stocks at the Upper Gate of Benjamin at the Lord’s temple.

The next day, when Pashhur released him from the stocks, Jeremiah said to him,

'The Lord’s name for you is not Pashhur, but Terror on Every Side. For this is what the Lord says: "I will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends; with your own eyes you will see them fall by the sword of their enemies. I will give all Judah into the hands of the king of Babylon, who will carry them away to Babylon or put them to the sword… And you, Pashhur, and all who live in your house will go into exile to Babylon. There you will die and be buried, you and all your friends to whom you have prophesied lies." '

- Jeremiah 20:1-6

The Name of the Priest Pashhur is Changed to Terror-on-Every-Side

Pashhur, the chief officer in the temple, was the second in rank after the high priest. An ostracon found at the high place sanctuary in Arad from this time period has Pashhur’s name on it. (Arad High Place. Ostracon details.) The message Jeremiah had received and proclaim to the government leaders and the priest in the Hinnom Valley (Jeremiah 19) was now proclaimed on the Temple Mount in the hearing of Pashhur. The chief officer of the temple reacted to Jeremiah’s message with violence since Jeremiah’s teaching was contrary to Pashhur’s own prophetic messages he gave to the people of Judah. Because of this Jeremiah was beaten and imprisoned in stocks near an entrance to the Temple Mount on the north side of the Temple Mount. The Upper Gate on the Temple Mount refers a north gate that also served as an entrance to the city that led to the land of Benjamin on the north side of Jerusalem. Jeremiah’s arrest left him beaten and on display for public humiliation.

When Pashhur came to release Jeremiah the next day, Jeremiah announced a name change for Pashhur. Usually in the Bible a name change indicates a change of circumstances in the person’s life. Pashhur’s new name is Terror-on-Every-Side because Pashhur’s future is now going to be a future that involves extensive and intensive terror.

Pashhur, or Terror-on-Every-Side, will be the target and source of terror. He will see terrifying things and what others see happen to him will bring them terror.

Passhur will see his friends killed by Babylonian swords
Passhur will see Nebuchadnezzar take the whole land
Passhur will see his people taken in chains to Babylon
Passhur will see his priestly family taken to Babylon
Passhur will see Babylon in chains himself
Passhur will see his death in Babylon

It appears Pashhur’s anger with Jeremiah was because Jeremiah’s message of judgment was in conflict with Passhur’s message of hope, peace and security since Jeremiah tells Pashhur that he had prophesied lies to all his friends:

There you will die and be buried, you and all your friends to whom you have prophesied lies.

The mention of Babylon in Jeremiah 20:4 is Jeremiah’s first mention of the Babylon. This is the year 603 BC and with General Nebuchadnezzar’s victory over Assyria at Carchemish in 605 Babylon has suddenly become a major power in the Middle East. Jeremiah has been talking about an invasion from the north since chapter one (648 BC), but now 45 years later that power from the north, that will serve as God’s hand of judgment, has manifested as Babylon.

Hupakeo (Gr) – obedience (Eng) – the Greek word hupakoe is a compound word from hupo meaning “under” and akouo meaning “to hear.” Together hupo-akouo mean “under-hearing” and is translated as “obedience”, “obey” and “obedient.” Hupakoe is used in Romans 6:16; 2 Corinthians 7:15; Philemon 21

I will consider the cares, concerns and worries of another person today, before I consider all the things I think about concerning myself.

Bible Reading Descriptions Here

Narrative

(morning only)

Complete Text

Jeremiah 6

General Text

Ezra 2 (538 BC)

Personal

Open doors for financial growth

Church

Grow in faith

Nation

daily update

Illegal Aliens

World

daily update

Kyrgystan

Flowers in a field in June in the Hill Country of Benjamin.

Salem or Jebus in 2000-1000 BC. (More details)

Someone to Quote

"But when I'd reached the bottom of a hill
it rose along the boundary of the valley
that had harassed my heart with so much fear
I looked on high and saw its shoulders clothed
already by the rays of that same planet
which serves to lead men straight along all roads.
At this my fear was somewhat quieted;
for through the night of sorrow I had spent,
the lake within my heart felt terror present.
And just as he who, with exhausted breath,
having escaped from sea to shore, turns back
to watch the dangerous waters he has quit,
so did my spirit, still a fugitive,
turn back to look intently at the pass
that never has let any man survive."
- Dante in his book/poem "The Divine Comedy"
written 1308-1321 AD
(read it here)

Something to Ponder

In 332 Alexander the Great approached Jerusalem after conqueroring Egypt. Jaddua is the high priest in Israel at the time (371-320) and mentioned in Nehemiah 12:10-11. Jaddua believes the young Macedonian, Alexander, could be the goat or the four-winged leopard of Daniel’s prophecy (Dan. 8:5-9 and 7:6). So, as Alexander approached Jerusalem Jaddua did not lead Jerusalem to meet Alexander with military resistance, but instead put on his high priestly garments, took the Scriptures in his hands, opened the gates and went out to meet Alexander. The other priests went with him dressed in white robes. Alexander got off his horse and bowed in front of Jaddua. Alexander then said that he had seen Jaddua in a vision and that Jaddua was a representative of heaven. Alexander told Jaddua that what he had to say would be of great advantage to Alexander. Jaddua then opened the scroll to Daniel and read to Alexander the prophecies of himself. Alexander then promised Jaddua that Jerusalem would never be touched nor its temple polluted. Alexander entered Jerusalem and worshipped as a Gentile at the temple. Before leaving in peace Alexander gave gifts to Jerusalem and to Jaddua.

Here’s a Fact

Zarephath has been located and identified. Elijah stayed in Zarephath in 1 Kings 17:9. (Details 1, 2.)

Proverb

"I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning,
before the world began."
- Proverbs 8:23

Coach’s Corner

The greatest miracle is salvation. The godliest spiritual manifestation is the transformed soul.

Ezra 2 New International Version (NIV)
The List of the Exiles Who Returned
2 Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken captive to Babylon (they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to their own town, 2 in company with Zerubbabel, Joshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum and Baanah):
The list of the men of the people of Israel:
the descendants of Parosh
of Shephatiah
of Arah
of Pahath-Moab (through the line of Jeshua and Joab)
of Elam
of Zattu
of Zakkai
of Bani
of Bebai
of Azgad
of Adonikam
of Bigvai
of Adin
of Ater (through Hezekiah)
of Bezai
of Jorah
of Hashum
of Gibbar

2,172

372

775

2,812

1,254

945

760

642

623

1,222

666

2,056

454

323

112

223

the men of Bethlehem
of Netophah
of Anathoth
of Azmaveth
of Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah and Beeroth
of Ramah and Geba
of Mikmash
of Bethel and Ai
of Nebo
of Magbish
of the other Elam
of Harim
of Lod, Hadid and Ono
of Jericho
of Senaah

123

128

743

621

122

223

156

1,254

320

725

345

3,630

36 The priests:

of Immer
of Pashhur
of Harim

the descendants of Jedaiah (through the family of Jeshua)

973

1,052

1,247

1,017

40 The Levites:

the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel (of the line of Hodaviah)

41 The musicians:

the descendants of Asaph

128

42 The gatekeepers of the temple:

the descendants of

Shallum, Ater, Talmon,

Akkub, Hatita and Shobai

139

43 The temple servants:

Keros, Siaha, Padon,
Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub,
Hagab, Shalmai, Hanan,
Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah,
Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam,
Uzza, Paseah, Besai,
Asnah, Meunim, Nephusim,
Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur,
Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha,
Barkos, Sisera, Temah,
Neziah and Hatipha

the descendants of
Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth,
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54

55 The descendants of the servants of Solomon:
Jaala, Darkon, Giddel,
Shephatiah, Hattil,

the descendants of

Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda,

Pokereth-Hazzebaim and Ami

The temple servants and the descendants of the servants of Solomon

392

59 The following came up from the towns of Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon and Immer, but they could not show that their families were descended from Israel:

60 The descendants of

Delaiah, Tobiah and Nekoda

652

61 And from among the priests:

The descendants of

Hobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai (a man who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by that name).

62 These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 63 The governor ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food until there was a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim.
64 The whole company numbered 42,360, 65 besides their 7,337 male and female slaves; and they also had 200 male and female singers. 66 They had 736 horses, 245 mules, 67 435 camels and 6,720 donkeys.
68 When they arrived at the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site. 69 According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 darics of gold, 5,000 minas of silver and 100 priestly garments.
70 The priests, the Levites, the musicians, the gatekeepers and the temple servants settled in their own towns, along with some of the other people, and the rest of the Israelites settled in their towns.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Jeremiah 6 New International Version (NIV)
Jerusalem Under Siege
6
“Flee for safety, people of Benjamin!     Flee from Jerusalem! Sound the trumpet in Tekoa!     Raise the signal over Beth Hakkerem! For disaster looms out of the north,     even terrible destruction.
2
I will destroy Daughter Zion,     so beautiful and delicate.
3
Shepherds with their flocks will come against her;     they will pitch their tents around her,     each tending his own portion.”
4
“Prepare for battle against her!     Arise, let us attack at noon! But, alas, the daylight is fading,     and the shadows of evening grow long.
5
So arise, let us attack at night     and destroy her fortresses!”
6 This is what the Lord Almighty says:
“Cut down the trees     and build siege ramps against Jerusalem. This city must be punished;     it is filled with oppression.
7
As a well pours out its water,     so she pours out her wickedness. Violence and destruction resound in her;     her sickness and wounds are ever before me.
8
Take warning, Jerusalem,     or I will turn away from you and make your land desolate     so no one can live in it.”
9 This is what the Lord Almighty says:
“Let them glean the remnant of Israel     as thoroughly as a vine; pass your hand over the branches again,     like one gathering grapes.”
10
To whom can I speak and give warning?     Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed     so they cannot hear. The word of the Lord is offensive to them;     they find no pleasure in it.
11
But I am full of the wrath of the Lord,     and I cannot hold it in.
“Pour it out on the children in the street     and on the young men gathered together; both husband and wife will be caught in it,     and the old, those weighed down with years.
12
Their houses will be turned over to others,     together with their fields and their wives, when I stretch out my hand     against those who live in the land,” declares the Lord.
13
“From the least to the greatest,     all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike,     all practice deceit.
14
They dress the wound of my people     as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say,     when there is no peace.
15
Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct?     No, they have no shame at all;     they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen;     they will be brought down when I punish them,” says the Lord.
16 This is what the Lord says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look;     ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it,     and you will find rest for your souls.     But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
17
I appointed watchmen over you and said,     ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’     But you said, ‘We will not listen.’
18
Therefore hear, you nations;     you who are witnesses,     observe what will happen to them.
19
Hear, you earth:     I am bringing disaster on this people,     the fruit of their schemes, because they have not listened to my words     and have rejected my law.
20
What do I care about incense from Sheba     or sweet calamus from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable;     your sacrifices do not please me.”
21 Therefore this is what the Lord says:
“I will put obstacles before this people.     Parents and children alike will stumble over them;     neighbors and friends will perish.”
22 This is what the Lord says:
“Look, an army is coming     from the land of the north; a great nation is being stirred up     from the ends of the earth.
23
They are armed with bow and spear;     they are cruel and show no mercy. They sound like the roaring sea     as they ride on their horses; they come like men in battle formation     to attack you, Daughter Zion.”
24
We have heard reports about them,     and our hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped us,     pain like that of a woman in labor.
25
Do not go out to the fields     or walk on the roads, for the enemy has a sword,     and there is terror on every side.
26
Put on sackcloth, my people,     and roll in ashes; mourn with bitter wailing     as for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer     will come upon us.
27
“I have made you a tester of metals     and my people the ore, that you may observe     and test their ways.
28
They are all hardened rebels,     going about to slander. They are bronze and iron;     they all act corruptly.
29
The bellows blow fiercely     to burn away the lead with fire, but the refining goes on in vain;     the wicked are not purged out.
30
They are called rejected silver,     because the Lord has rejected them.”
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.