Tag Archive - 1 Chronicles

Context, perspective, and history: 1 Chronicles Summary

July 29, 2010 in Bible Blog with 0 Comments

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

July 28, 2010 in Bible Blog with 0 Comments

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

July 27, 2010 in Bible Blog with 0 Comments

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

July 26, 2010 in Bible Blog with 0 Comments

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

July 25, 2010 in Bible Blog with 0 Comments

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…

How leadership handles failure: 1 Chronicles 21 and 22

July 24, 2010 in Bible Blog with 0 Comments

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

July 23, 2010 in Bible Blog with 0 Comments

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…

God’s promise to David and humanity: 1 Chronicles 17 and 18

July 22, 2010 in Bible Blog with 0 Comments

I love how the idea of dwelling is used consistently in 1 Chronicles 17 when God tells David that he would not build Him a permeant place to dwell. What does it mean for God to dwell? God is everywhere so when He dwells among us what is that saying? “Thus says the Lord, “You shall not build a house for Me to dwell in; for I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from one dwelling place to another.” 1 Chronicles 17:4,5  The idea of God dwelling in one particular place confuses me since He is omnipresent. Is dwelling similar to the idea of abiding? God chose to dwell among the people of Israel. Do you sense the amazing reality of the fact that God chose to dwell among the Israelites. God didn’t need the Israelites because He needs nothing but He still desired them. Continue Reading…

Beautiful picture of God and His beloved: 1 Chronicles 15 and 16

July 21, 2010 in Bible Blog with 0 Comments

I thought that 1 Chronicles 13 and 14 revolved around the idea of celebration and worship of God but it pales in comparison to the details given in 1 Chronicles 15 and 16. The over all story covers the arrival of the Ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. The text also makes it clear why Uzza died at the threshing floor when the ark was transported by cart. In the urgency, excitement, and celebration over the kingship of David the Israelites forgot to adhere to the commands of God about the handling of the Ark. Did the years of everyone doing what was right in their own eyes lead to the forgetfulness of  the people to remember God’s commands? All too often I failure is found to be the best reminder and teacher when it comes to our faith in God. Continue Reading…

Celebration and worship of God: 1 Chronicles 13 and 14

July 20, 2010 in Bible Blog with 0 Comments

Do we ever celebrate before God with all our might? In 1 Chronicles 13 the people celebrated before God with songs, lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets and from 2 Samuel 6:14 we know that David danced for joy as the people celebrated. How do christians today celebrate before God? Can the idea of celebration mentioned in 1 Chronicles be equated with our worship today? Why does music play such an integral part of our celebration and worship of God? All too often the church today has subjects its own viewpoint upon the definition of worship of God by claiming what is correct and true worship without concern for what the Bible says. In these moments we claim the authority only God has by presuming to know what worship would be if we were God. What does the Bible say about worship? How does the greatest commandment to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength play interact in our worship of God. Continue Reading…

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