Can you imagine the splendor of the Temple that Solomon built to the Lord on Mount Moriah? We are given a brief, yet precise, summary of the materials and items that were collected and assembled with great craftsmanship in of 2 Chronicles 3 and 4. Is there any building that exists today that can compare to the majesty of the Temple? Why was the Temple so richly adorned? Was gold, silver, bronze, precious gems, and the ornate wood important because when collected and completed the Temple was a worthy place for God to dwell on earth? Would the willing hearts of the people who gave these precious materials be of greater worth and significance? God doesn’t need any material thing from us. When we willingly cast aside the items we cherish and give them over to God we express what we truly think of God. Continue Reading…
Upon Mount Moriah deliverance is found: 2 Chronicles 3 and 4
Desire statement about our lives: 2 Chronicles 1 and 2
What would you desire from God if He were to offer you anything? Would our requests reflect our view and opinion of God? In 2 Chronicles 1 Solomon’s requests for wisdom to lead the people of Israel is recounted. There are moments in my life when I think a material need is the most important need I have such as money, a home, or a vehicle. Solomon could have asked for riches but they would eventually lose all value and degrade. In the same way anything I run after in this life is just a fleeting and unable to retain eternal value. I have sometimes thought that my life would come to its ultimate definition if I found a wife but no person can give my life fulfillment. Could a life of perfect health bring hope for tomorrow? Could a life free from conflict bring lasting joy to your life? Continue Reading…
Context, perspective, and history: 1 Chronicles Summary
How would you summarize the story of God at work in the Old Testament? There are many ways you can talk about how God has interacted with mankind. The book of 1 Chronicles uses the genealogies of men from Adam through David to portray the story. Emphasis was given to the people who were present at key events throughout the history of the descendants of Israel. What is the importance of the history of Israel given through the genealogy of men? What is gained when you know your history?
The relationship between God and Israel can be summarized by His faithfulness and the peoples collective inability to follow Him. The foremost command that the people were given was to love God with all of their heart, mind, soul, and strength as they clung to God from day to day. Continue Reading…
Desire and intention of the heart: 1 Chronicles 29
I love how peoples hearts are filled with joy and thankfulness after an encounter with God. In 1 Chronicles 29 the offerings to be used towards the building of the Temple are collected. How often does a leader request something from the people they lead but they count themselves above following their own recommendation? When David tells the people about collections of materials for the Temple, he is first of all giving abundantly towards the Temple.
“Moreover, in my delight in the house of my God, the treasure I have of gold and silver, I give to the house of my God, over and above all that I have already provided for the holy temple, namely, 3000 talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and 7000 talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the buildings; of gold for the things of gold and of silver for the things of silver, that is, for all the work done by the craftsmen. Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the Lord?” 1 Chronicles 29:3-5 Continue Reading…
Break the cycle: be bold, courageous, and act: 1 Chronicles 27 and 28
How do you view the Israelites in the Old Testament? Do you ever think that it is ancient history and there was little if anything remarkable about the people, nation, and rulers? There was much more structure within the Israelites society than I had realized prior to today. Why did I suddenly see this while reading through 1 Chronicles 27? I think the fact that there were scheduled divisions of men who served in the armies of Israel throughout the year. There were twelve divisions of twenty-four thousand men, one for each month of the year. The structure and order that was implemented within the nation of Israel is remarkable. As I look back on the previous books of the Old Testament the order has always been present but finally saw it today. Continue Reading…
Perseverance in hardship when desire wains: 1 Chronicles 25 and 26
I am feeling bogged down by all the genealogies of 1 Chronicles lately and feeling a weariness that extends to my very core because life has been very difficult recently. What do we do when we feel the weight of life pressing in all around us? It will alwaysbe easiest to shutdown and fall into depression, lethargy, and apathy when life is difficult and painful. What do we do to difficult moments? Where do we turn to for help, hope, and healing?
Today I am reading through 1 Chronicles 25 and 26 which is centering around the division of tasks within the City of David. It is encouraging to see how such intent was taken to ensure that the worship of God was continually happening. Continue Reading…
Light that illuminates darkness: 1 Chronicles 23 and 24
The ebb and flow within the book of 1 Chronicles really seems sporadicly presented. Why are the events and genealogies laid out the way they are? It seems that the flow of the book of 1 Chronicles covers the history of the Israelites from Adam through the rule of Solomon with emphasis on genealogies and critical events of the nation.
The Levites who where set aside for service to God are transitioned from service in the Tabernacle to service in the Temple in 1 Chronicles 23 and 24. What was it like for the men who served within the Tabernacle to enter the Temple of the Lord for the first time? What would they have felt as they entered into service in God’s new dwelling place among the people of Israel? Continue Reading…
So long old friend you will be missed: Tribute to Otis
Today my heart is broken. I lost a friend today that was consistently faithful to me until the very end. Our family dog Otis, a Bichon Frise, has been slowly dying this over this last week. He finally got to a point this morning that his quality of life was gone and we had him put to sleep. He was such a wonderful dog full of life and personality. I will miss his unyielding love that he expressed every time I came home and bark in anticipation of me walking through the gate. Continue Reading…
How leadership handles failure: 1 Chronicles 21 and 22
Why do we find temptation so tempting as we easily fall into the snares of Satan repeatedly? In 1 Chronicles 21:1 Satan tempted David to number the people Israel. Who’s fault was it that David chose to sin by numbering the people of Israel without God’s approval? Who’s fault is it when you choose to disregard God and sin? The actions David made were his responsibility alone because he viewed the benefits of sin of greater worth than obeying God. How does temptation so easily entangle us? Satan has spent many years perfecting his craft and we are inherently sinful so we are destined to fail when we look at our inherent inability.Where can hope be found to live in this world plagued by sin? When we acknowledge our sinfulness and trust in God’s forgiveness because of Jesus Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross we have the hope that we crave. Continue Reading…
Reconciliation in the face of persecution: 1 Chronicles 19 and 20
When conflicts escalate why don’t we seek reconciliation? The story found in 2 Samuel 10 of David’s messengers being abused is retold in 1 Chronicles 19. My attention was not drawn to the story of these men when I read through 2 Samuel 10. These men were completely humiliated and abused by the people of Ammon. David was reaching out to comfort Hanun the son of Nahash after his fathers death but fear lead the princes of Ammon consoled Hanun to act treacherously towards the messengers, David, and Israel. Why does fear drive us to see situations in their worst light?
After these men were humiliated was the situation destined for war? The people of Ammon abused these men insulting David and Israel. What would have happened if the people of Ammon would have reached out to David humbly seeking reconciliation? What was David’s initial reaction to the humiliation of his messengers? The people of Ammon knew that they had insulted David and instead of seeking forgiveness they readied for battle. When we have conflicts why do we seek to get ready for more conflict? What is necessary for conflict resolution to occur? Pride needs to be laid aside by both parties for resolution to be possible. Continue Reading…
