Pastor Joe is always teaching us to notice biblical themes to increase our faith in God’s kindness, goodness, truthfulness, and perseverance with his people. Books he often recommends are Peter Leithart’s “A House for My Name” or James Jordan’s “Through New Eyes,” which point out these repeating patterns of Gods care and revelation.

One such text where several of these patterns lie on the surface is in Jeremiah 52:31-34. There the new Babylonian king Evil-Merodach took Israeli king Jehoiachin, grandson of righteous Josiah, and prisoner from the days of Nebuchadnezzar whom he had surrendered to, and honored him. Merodach elevated Jehoiachin in the 37th year of his captivity (cf 2 Kings 24).

Jehoiachin had done evil, but Yahweh reversed his situation. How so?

• Lifted up the head—victory – Psalm 110:7
• Brought him out of prison/pit-death and resurrection 
• Spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat above other kings at his table-exaltation/ascension
• Dined regularly at the king’s table-a friend of the king/counselor (like Joseph, Daniel, Mordecai, etc)
• Put off his prison garments-resurrection, like Joseph
• Regular provision till he died-versus Zedekiah (who didn’t surrender, had his eyes put out after watching his sons be slain, and was imprisoned and dragged to Babylon and never heard of again).

This is how the book of Jeremiah ends—not on the destruction of Jerusalem, but on the exaltation of God’s people as represented by the king’s reversal. God brings life and hope and peace to his church through his loving sovereign ways; and he remembers his people! Including you in your dark days.

Revelation 20 gives us the period of the Great Commission (GC) which takes place most prominently after Satan is bound so that he can no longer deceive the nations during the millennium (20:1–3; obviously the GC begins when Jesus commands it and the kingdom/church grows mightily between his ascension and 70 AD, just before Satan is bound).

Now, almost 2,000 years later, we can and should ask, how is the GC faring so far? Even in our day?

For starters, we shouldn’t doubt its effectiveness or consummation, because of its preamble in Matthew 28:18: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on earth.” Jesus has all authority given to him by the Father—there is no one who can stay his hand! By faith we are encouraged in its fulfillment—it will be done!

But we can also see this not only by faith, but with our eyes in history. Isaiah 9:6—7 prophesied there would be no end to the extension of Jesus’ government, and that has happened, as there are believers and churches in every nation. Some may be only outposts, with room for complete permeation, but the nations will be discipled in the ways and love of Jesus. Work to be done, for sure!

While we have headwinds and enemies during the GC, we carry on, because Christ is ruling even amongst the enemies he is subduing through our Holy Spirit-filled work (1 Cor. 15:20–28). And he will reign until the last enemy is defeated, death itself, thrown into the Lake of Fire right after the devil himself (20:11ff)!

Finally, the actions of Jesus should encourage you as well, for Jesus releases Satan at the end of the millennium (20:7–10) to once again deceive the nations. But he is not at all worried for his church and its mission, because while they are attacked, he devours our enemies with fire and defeats them. So be of good cheer; in Jesus, you are a serpent treader carrying out the GC! (Romans 16:20).

(Presbytery pastoral reflections continued)

Fourth, don’t be overly Presbyterian in the same way as Ecclesiastes warns you not to be overly righteous. Presbyterian government did not fall out of heaven; it did for the Israelites and they still messed things up. Government needs godly men who implement it. Be holy men and don’t use the polity to grind other men down or get your way. Rather, overlook sins and be patient with each other. Build the kingdom and let Jesus have the final say. Don’t get distracted with legal issues; church ‘wanna be lawyers’ are very discouraging!

Fifth, stay out of elected politics. You are already a politician as you trump the kingdom of Christ. Remember that good laws don’t change hearts, but love and worship and God’s word does. So focus on leading your people into God’s presence weekly, feeding on Christ in faith, and practicing the commandments of Jesus as taught by you and your church’s leaders. Focus on the joy of life in Christ; that’s what changes a culture. A society becomes what it worships.

Lastly, love your wife. She is your helpmeet and brings wisdom to the table. So pick her brain as your personal Lady Wisdom. God gave her one to help you. Of course, she also is your closest friend, being one body with her. So date her weekly, romance her, and set up the date yourself by getting a babysitter, etc. Lead! Practice love by serving her. She needs you up close and personal; make the time. Also take her overnight at least once a year, just the two of you unless you have a nursing baby. Be creative; expensively or cheaply, but do it. Most men leave the ministry over sexual issues or because of bad kids; don’t join them by loving the one you’re with! (2 Timothy 4:1–5; 2 Corinthians 2:16–17)