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OT: This week we finish Isaiah and move on to the prophet Jeremiah:

• Although the last chapters of Isaiah include condemnation of idolatry and religious hypocrisy and sin, the tone is generally very positive and filled with hope. God desires to bless both his own people and all nations.
• He comes himself to redeem and restore sinners. He promises to restore Jerusalem and make her great among the nations – this is a wonderful picture of the future glory of the church.
• Amongst all the acts of God’s righteous judgement, there is the wonderful promise of the provision of his grace and covenant love.
• As we turn to Jeremiah the theme of judgement continues. Jeremiah is called as a prophet to the nations but he first brings a warning of judgement against Israel and Judah for their idolatry, for their spiritual adultery and prostitution.
• Even the kings, priests and prophets have been unfaithful.
• Jeremiah weeps for the judgement that is coming against his people.

NT: 1 Timothy ends with more instructions from the apostle Paul to the young Timothy, especially about what he should teach about money and wealth. We then move on to 2 Timothy:

• This second letter to Timothy is more personal in nature than the first letter, with many personal exhortations and instructions to Timothy, but also with a clear concern about the importance of sound teaching for the health of the church.
• Timothy’s example and teaching is even more important in the difficulties and challenges, the spiritual and social decline that Paul warned would happen in the last days.
• This emphasis on sound teaching is also the emphasis in Titus as such sound teaching had to be at the foundation of the church in a corrupt culture.
• He also had to appoint elders to exemplify, protect and pass on this sound teaching.
• This letter also includes some wonderful reflections on the grace and the glory of the gospel.
• The short letter of Philemon is a testimony to Christian love, forgiveness and generosity of spirit as Paul exhorts Philemon to forgive and receive back his runaway slave.
• As such, this letter pictures how Christ is a mediator between us and God from whom we have become estranged but who welcomes us back not as slaves but as sons.