Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.
Understanding to grow in
You can tell why the books are named Chronicles. More genealogies! Two things are noticeable about those that remain. First is the stress on the amount of fighting men each had, with a note of those who were outstanding (see also 5v18), to inspire us to great deeds for the Lord as it would have the orginal readers. The second thing to stand out is the lack of the tribes of Dan or Zebulun. It may be that records were lost, stressing how absolute the exile of the northern kingdom by Assyria was in the eighth century BC. We should remember Joseph’s line was split into the two tribes of Ephraim and Mannasseh (7v29), of which the former became the key tribe of the northern kingdom and the latter split into two half-tribes, settling on the east and west of the Jordan. The greatness of Ephraim in particular fulfilled Genesis 49v22-26. In the lead up to historical narrative, the genealogies focus on Saul, Israel’s first king, but bracketing a record of the re-establishment of worship in Jerusalem after the southern kingdom of Judah's exile to Babylon in the sixth century. So not only are the key themes of rule and temple raised again, but also the historical scope of 1 and 2 Chronicles. Linking the two are notes in Saul’s genealogy of those living in or near Jerusalem (8v28, 32, 9v38). The focus is on the tribe of Benjamin’s partnership with Judah as the two tribes that would comprise the southern kingdom located around Jerusalem. We might consider that belonging to the New Jerusalem comprising those in Christ is the most critical aspect to our legacy too. In chapter 9 we move to the resettlement of Jerusalem after Judah’s exile. The mention of the settlers “own property” stresses the regaining of the land. What is striking is how small the populations were compared to the previous lists of fighting men (ch. 7). Much would need doing for the kingdom to be restored. The focus moves to the high pedigree by descent of the priests, and how able those responsible for ministering in the temple were (9v11, 13). In this way the author places post-exilic worship in continuity with that under David. Likewise, although culture changes, today’s church is in continuity with that of the apostles, and the roles God has assigned within the church remain the same and are to be patterned on those within the New Testament. Moreover, as with the gatekeepers and Levites, each has their own task in benefitting the whole, and ministers in guarding access to God's kingdom (Matt 16v13-20). As you read consider your legacy.Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.