Archives for May 2019

OVERVIEW:

The descendants of Solomon, Judah, Simeon, Reuben, Gad, Manasseh and Levi; temple singers and keepers appointed; the descendants of Aaron; the cities of the Levites.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we read through what seems to be a never-ending genealogy today, rejoice in the underlying message: God doesn’t view mankind as simply a mass of humanity! He is interested in each individual and knows us all by name! Hallelujah! God takes the time in these chapters to make sure that the name of every single priest and Levite, along with the family and tribe to which he belonged, was specifically registered and mentioned. (Exodus 33:17)

Of particular note in chapter 4 is this man Jabez. God stops when He gets to his name to interject an incredible statement about him. Verse 9 of chapter 4 says that he “was more honorable than his brethren”! One of the reasons he was “more honorable”, no doubt, is not only the fact THAT he prayed, but HOW he prayed. Our Lord reveals to us in this passage that Jabez had a beautiful fourfold request, and it was of such significance that God chose to record it for us in verse 10:

1) “…Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed…”

2) “…and enlarge my coast…”

3) “…and that thine hand might be with me…”

4) “…and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!…”

Verse 10 concludes with this monumental statement: “…And God granted him that which he requested.” Verse 10 is not held up as a “model prayer” as such, but its content is well worth incorporating into our prayers! It is obvious that Jabez was a man who lived in pursuit of God, and that God rewarded him for it. May God strengthen us to follow his example as we continue the “365 Days of Pursuit”!

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

In the CITIES OF REFUGE – 1^st Chronicles 6:57, 67, 69 (To find protection from the avenger of blood, a person had to flee to a city of refuge. Likewise, God provided His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ as the Refuge to whom we must flee to find protection from His judgment against sin — John 3:14–18; 10:24–30; Galatians 2:16; 3:1-14; Hebrews 10:1–18; 1^st John 2:2; Revelation 1:5; Hebrews 6:18)

OVERVIEW:

Jesus’ lineage through Adam, Noah, Abraham, Israel (Jacob), Judah, and David.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

At first glance, it appears that the book of 1^st Chronicles is simply a repeat of 1^st and 2^nd Samuel, and that 2^nd Chronicles is a repeat of 1^st and 2^nd Kings, but there are some significant differences.

Whereas Samuel and Kings emphasize the HISTORICAL side of things, Chronicles emphasizes the SPIRITUAL. Whereas Samuel and Kings are seen from the HUMAN standpoint, Chronicles is seen from the DIVINE standpoint. Whereas Samuel and Kings are presented from the viewpoint of the PROPHETS, Chronicles is presented from the viewpoint of the PRIESTS. Whereas Samuel and Kings show MAN RULING, Chronicles shows GOD OVERRULING.

Chronicles primarily concentrates on the reign of David and his successors, and on the temple and its worship. It includes information not previously covered concerning the priests, the Levites, the musicians, singers, and doorkeepers. It goes into detail concerning transporting the ark to Jerusalem, and the preparation for the building of the temple. The northern kingdom is of little significance in Chronicles. In fact, the northern tribes are only mentioned in connection with their dealings with David’s reign.

The book of 1^st Chronicles opens with the longest genealogical history in the entire Bible. It continues on for nine solid chapters! Needless to say, the next several days’ readings will not qualify for the award for “The Most Heart-Warming and Life-Changing Devotional Passage of the 365 Days of Pursuit!” However, always remember Proverbs 30:5, “Every word of God is pure:” and every word is there for a reason! These chapters are in our Bible to provide us the historical basis of our faith.  As Bruce Wilkinson said, “The opening chapters of 1^st Chronicles form the skeletal framework of the entire Old Testament. They bind the Old Testament together into a unified whole, showing that it is in fact history and not merely legend or myth. From Adam to Abraham, Boaz to Benjamin, the generations are all there in their proper order to show the outworking of God’s plan and purposes through the years and in the lives of men and women of faith.” What these chapters teach us, if nothing else, is that God has a plan: A plan for the earth, the universe, Israel, and your life!

A very basic overview of the first nine chapters of 1^st Chronicles is as follows:

• The genealogy from Adam to Abraham. (1:1–27)
• The genealogy from Abraham to Israel. (1:28–54)
• The genealogy of the descendants of Israel. (Chapters 2–8)

* Judah (2:1–4:23)

* Simeon (4:24–43)

* Reuben, Gad, half the tribe of Manasseh East of Jordan (Chapter 5)

* Levi (Chapter 6)

* Issachar (7:1–5)

* Benjamin (7:6–12)

* Naphtali (7:13)

* Half tribe of Manasseh West of Jordan (7:14–19)

* Ephraim (7:20–29)

* Asher (7:30–40)

* Benjamin (Chapter 8)

• Those who returned from captivity (9:1–34)
• The genealogy of Saul (9:35–44)

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

In the FIRST ADAM –  1^st Chronicles 1:1 (Christ is the LAST or SECOND ADAM.  We have eternal life because the last Adam was a quickening, or “life-giving” spirit – 1^st Corinthians 15:45, 47).

Through the genealogy of DAVID – 1^st Chronicles 3:1–24 (Christ, the Son of God was also called the Son of David – Matthew 1:1; Luke 3:23–38; Romans 1:3)

OVERVIEW:

Wicked Manasseh and Amon; the last good King, Josiah; four more evil kings; the Babylonian captivity.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The righteous leadership of Hezekiah for which we were refreshingly able to rejoice in yesterday’s reading is quickly replaced by the overwhelming evil of his son, Manasseh. Though we read of his later repentance in 2^nd Chronicles 33, Jeremiah 15:4 says that the kingdom would be removed because of the deeds of Manasseh in Jerusalem. The deeds of a leader (husband, father, teacher, pastor) have a far-reaching effect for good or for bad.

Josiah, the last good king, did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. He had chosen to do right and restore the temple before the book of the law was found. The knowledge he received from the word of God would not have been revealed to him, however, had Josiah not already chosen to do right! God reveals to us in 2^nd Peter 1:5-7, that virtue (choosing to do right, and doing it!) is to be added to our faith, before beginning to add knowledge. If we have not already purposed in our hearts to follow the instruction of the Lord, what need is there to accumulate more knowledge?

With the “new knowledge” received from the “newly discovered” books of the law, Josiah humbles himself before the Lord, makes a covenant to the Lord in the presence of all the people, and begins to cleanse the temple and the land. He is used of God to remove the idols and the high places of worship in Jerusalem. Interestingly, notice that he carries the items of sin across the brook Kidron, destroys them, and then scatters the ashes on old graves. The Lord Jesus Christ crossed the very same brook, Kidron (or, Cedron), on the way to become sin for us on the cross, where our sins would be buried in His grave! (John 18:1)

Josiah continues his cleansing reforms and goes to Bethel to destroy the golden calf set up by Jeroboam. The idol worship that plagued the children of Israel throughout their entire history is finally destroyed by the one who was prophesied by name. The Lord tells us concerning Josiah in 2^nd Kings 23:25, “And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.” It is almost unbelievable, that not until Josiah, did any king ever go up to destroy the golden calf!

After such an incredible example set by Josiah, surprisingly enough, not a single one of the final four kings follow in his footsteps. As seen in today’s reading, all four of them are weak, evil kings, who are actually controlled by other foreign kings. Because of the evil of Manasseh, the Lord will not spare Judah. The leaders, the people, and the treasures that should have been dedicated to the Lord, are carried away to serve the Babylonians in captivity.

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the PROCLAIMER OF THE WORD –– 2^nd Kings 23:2 (Luke 4:16)

As the ONE PROMISED BY NAME –– 1^st Kings 13:2 and 2^nd Kings 22:1 (Matthew 1:21-23; Luke 2:21)

As the PASSOVER –– 2^nd Kings 23:21 (1^st Corinthians 5:7; John 1:29; 1^st Peter 1:19)

As the INNOCENT BLOOD OF JERUSALEM –– 2^nd Kings 24:4 (Matthew 27:4; Acts 13:28)