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2 Chronicles 9-11

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Here are a few lessons you can learn from today's 3 chapters:

1) This is the ONLY time Israel had peace as a nation! Throughout all the years of time that Israel has existed as a people group, this time period during King Solomon's reign was the only time they ever had peace. In 9:22-23, you read the fascinating words, "King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. All the kings of the earth sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart."

Solomon's wisdom was so unusual that even the Queen of Sheba (possibly Ethiopia) gave praise to the Lord and witnessed the incredible ability Solomon had to rule his kingdom with such justice and righteousness (9:8).

If you remember, Solomon's father, King David, was a man of war. He fought the nations around him continuously until there were no more battles to fight. King David left quite a legacy! He left this earth with Israel enjoying peace from war and with such great wealth that the number is quite staggering. What David died, he left his son Solomon with the freedom and finanicial ability to accomplish the one mission David felt was worth more than anything in the world - to build a monument (Temple) to the glory of God, one that would serve as a world-wide testimony to God's greatness.

This peace lasted only 40 years or until Solomon's death.

2) There is wisdom in the elderly! Sometimes we younger people (however I'm not considered a younger person anymore at age 50) often discount the words or advice of the elderly. This can be a HUGE mistake! One great example of this is found in chapter 10! Solomon's son, Rehoboam, did not have the wisdom Solomon had. In fact, he made a grave tactical error in not listening to the elderly men who served with his father. When the other 11 tribes came before Rehoboam to ask for some slack, Rehoboam sought the advice of both those who served his father (the elderly men) and those who were his friends (his younger comtemporaries). Although 10:15 explains that God had a hand in Rehoboam's decision as a fulfillment of an earlier prophecy, Rehoboam rejected the wisdom of the elderly and it cost him his kingdom!

One day, I was asked to speak to the graduating class of Southeast of Saline High School in Saline, Kansas. I remember a statement I made to the class, one that I had learned early in life, "Listen to the advice and gather yourself around those who are older and wiser than you, and in time, you'll become known as one of the wisest person's your age!" Let's face it - we are who we hang with!

One can only imagine the wisdom gained by those elderly men who listened to the wisest man who ever lived day in and day out! But, can you imagine someone going to those men for advice and rejecting such wisdom learned? Actually, it happens everyday and to many of us! God's Word is true wisdom, yet many of us reject it everyday! We often find ourselves doing what Rehoboam did - listening to our peers rather than to God.

If you need some advice about something, find an older, Godly person and prayerfully seek their advice. There's a better chance God will give you the answer you really need through a wise, Godly person than a mere book or a friend!!!

3) Israel becomes a divided nation! This is where the nation of Israel begins its downfall as a nation. The other 11 tribes of Israel get mad at King Rehoboam (who is from the tribe of Judah) and reject submission under his rule. Only the tribe of Judah remains faithful to their king. This initiates the disintegration of God's people as a united society. From here on we'll read one sad story after another of how ungodly they become, how angry they become at one another, and how they become destroyed by other nations.

Remember what Jesus said in the New Testament - "A house divided against itself can not stand." This is what has happened!

And, in part, this is exactly what is happening to America! It's the conservatives verses the liberals, the Republicans verses the Democrats. While every nation experiences two or more sets of different thinkers and believers, America has come to a place where we've become angry with one another and verbally challenge the patriotism of each other And, if you think about it, it's the war in the Middle East and the war on Terror that seems to be the tide that brings us together. In my opinion, as I view the news and witness the debates on TV, its only the war that unites us as a nation. Discussions get heated and the debate seethes with passionate and vehement argument until you get to the topic of the war - that's when both Democrats and Rebuplicans, conservatives and liberals come together and agree in part!

If we're not careful, we could become another Israel where states begin to secede from the Union! May God bless America and hold us together and may He receive the glory and praise for what He has done to build this country into a place of freedom!

God bless you, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem and America!

2 Chronicles 6 - 8

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In these 3 chapters, we witness Solomon's prayer of dedication of the Temple, the appearance of the Lord to Solomon, and a few other of his activities after the building of the Temple. But, in these 3 chapters, come TEN IMPORTANT THINGS that everyone should know about the Lord:

1) There is no God like the God of Israel. 6:14
2) God always keeps his promises! 6:15-17
3) God is omnipresent - present everywhere! 6:18
4) He is a prayer-hearing God! 6:19-20
5) He is a forgiving God! 6:21-25
6) He can create natural disasters to punish people for their sins! 6:26-29
7) He knows the hearts of all men! 6:30
8) He wants us to fear Him and walk in His ways all the time! 6:31
9) He can become angry and give His people up to their enemies due to sin! 6:36-40
10) God inhabits the praises of His people! 7:1-3

God appeared to Solomon the night after his prayer of dedication of the Temple and made 4 REMARKABLE COMMENTS:

1) I will forgive and heal IF my people do these 4 things: (2 Chronicles 7:14)
- Humble themselves before God!
- Pray earnestly to God!
- Seek God with all their heart!
- Turn away from their sin!
2) I will listen to all who offer prayers! 7:15
3) If you do all that I command and observe my decrees, I will bless you! 7:17
4) If you turn away from me, I'll uproot you and make you an object of ridicule! 7:19-22

2 Chronicles 3 - 5

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In chapter 3, Solomon begins the monumental task of building the Temple! The Temple was planned by his father, King David, for the purpose of bringing world-wide fame, glory, and honor to God! It was the most fantastic and beautiful building of its day. It was built on Mount Moriah and on the threshing floor where King David built an altar to God to stop the plague that killed more than 70,000 Israelites. This is the very same piece of land where Abraham attempted to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. The Temple was overlaid by tons of gold, silver, precious stones, and bronze. It was absolutely stunning!

Perhaps the most significant aspect of this whole story is when God filled the Temple at the end of chapter 5. It says in 5:13, "Then the temple of the Lord was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God."

It was as the priests and Levites were singing, playing their instruments and worshipping the Lord that God filled the Temple with His glory. The Bible says that "God inhabits the praises of His people." If you want to see God's glory - praise Him!

Visit this link "A Virtual Tour of Solomon's Temple" to get somewhat of an idea of how magnificent this building might have been!

1 Chronicles 29 - 2 Chronicles 2

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What has God put on your heart to accomplish for His glory?

King David wanted to build a monument to the glory of Israel's God! He wanted to build a structure that would cause the whole world to know about Him. He wanted to evangelize the world so to speak. Notice the 5 characteristics of this magnificent project:

1) It will be different than any other building in the world! vs.1
2) It's not just another building...it's for God Himself! vs.1
3) David spent years gathering as much material and resources as possible! vs.2
4) David sacrifices much of his personal wealth for its success! vs.3-4
5) He challenges his leaders to do the same...and they do! vs.5

This free-will offering which involved a great deal of personal sacrifice brought a great deal of joy to David and to all that gave out of willing heart! Giving willingly is exactly how God wants all of us to give to His work!

Then, David prays to dedicate the Temple for God's honor and future glory. Notice David's heart as he prays to the Lord:

1) He PRAISED the Lord! vs.10
2) He gave all the GLORY to God for everything! vs.10
3) He acknowledged that EVERYTHING is God's! vs.11-12, 16
4) He acknowledged that God CONTROLS everything!
5) He humbled himself before God! vs.13-15
6) He acknowledged that God sees the HEART! vs.17
7) He begged God to help Israel to OBEY and LOVE Him! vs.18-19
8) He encouraged everyone to PRAISE and WORSHIP the Lord! vs.20
9) He encouraged people to bring SACRIFICES to God! vs.21-22

As we begin 2 Chronicles, you'll see how it reveals the TRUE standard for commitment as we read the stories of the kings who followed Solomon. Through their failures and faithfulness, we'll see how worship involves more than externals such as our wallets and our attendance at church. The picture of true worship is the total release of our hearts and wills to God. When God searches for and finds a heart that wholly belongs to Him, He summons the whole of Heaven in support!

In chapters 1 and 2, Solomon begins to build the Temple and delegates responsibilities to the right people. And, in addition to great delegation skills, God gives Solomon unusual wisdom!

Wouldn't it be awesome to have the Lord appear to you and ask the question, "What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!"? Well guess what! He did! In the book of Matthew 7:7, Jesus offers us the very same statement and promise! It was because Solomon was praying for something that was for the benefit of others and the glory of God that God answered His prayer! So often, we pray selfishly! God loves to answer prayers that benefit others and honor Him. What are you praying for?

Have a great day in the Lord!

1 Chronicles 26 - 28

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Well, I'm back! I've needed to take a few days off from this blog to take care of a few things. Got it done, and now I'm ready to get back into the swing of things! For those of you who were following along...thank you for bearing with me!

Hopefully you didn't get too bored with today's Bible reading. It is more of an historical account of those in charge of certain duties concerning the protection and organization of Solomon's Temple. While the Bible is full of adventure and made-for-Hollywood stories, occasionally we'll find ourselves reading some of the important historical aspects to Jewish history.

Let me easily summarize today's Bible reading in three easy to understand points:

1) In chapter 26, Solomon sets up "gatekeepers" or guards for the Temple. You'll read a few very interesting comments about these men:

a) The first of which is about the man - Obededom. He was a Levite who was actually one of King David's body guards in whose house the Ark of God was hid for three months! Obviously, he was an incredible and courageous soldier! You don't get the honor of being one of the King's body guards unless you have proven your valiant skills as a warrior in the heat of battle. He also was the same guy who marched valiantly before the Ark as King David left Jerusalem in fear of his son Absalom. To Obededom were born 8 sons, one of which was Shemaiah in which the Bible speaks of his sons as possessing "great ability who earned positions of great authority." The Bible also speak here that "God had richly blessed Obededom." No wonder his family was picked for guarding Solomon's Temple! In verse 8 it says, "All of the descendants of Obededom...were very capable men, well qualified for their work."

b) The second interesting comment made by God in chapter 26 is ascribed to Zechariah in verse14, in that he was "a man of unusual wisdom." In fact, Solomon's father (David) appointed Zechariah to do several things: 1) Guard the Temple 2) Guard the Ark 3) Play the harp for worship 4) And, to serve as one of the priests! King David knew how to pick the right guy...didn't he? He surrounded himself with multi-talented men!

c) A third interesting thing is how these gatekeepers were appointed. Solomon used "sacred lots" (the Urim and Thummin) to make the decision as to "who was going to be a guard" and "what gate" they will be guarding. If you remember, the Urim and Thummin were special gems that were placed in the Ephod of the High Priest. Moses and the Kings of Israel would pray to the Lord and watch God's response to His will through the Urim and Thummin. Wouldn't it be nice today for each of us to have a Urim and Thummin?

I hope God will bless you and me with descendants like those of Obededom!

2) Solomon also set up "treasury" guards for the Temple. Their specific duty was to take in the gifts offered to the Lord, protect it, and account for it. The Bible says that this duty was given to the family who were direct descendants of Moses. If you remember, Amram is Moses' father!

3) Chapter 27 details many of the other positions that were of importance as King David prepares to die and leave the kingdom and the building of the most magnificent monument in the world to his son Solomon.

4) David offers 7 Points of Advice to Solomon! I love the way David prepared his son for his future! Here's what he did to prepare his son:
a) He told him - "learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately." All of us need to strongly encourage our children to not just know things about the Lord, but rather to know God intimately!
b) He told him to "worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind." In other words, he encouraged and challenged Solomon to be a worshipper of God, to be a servant of God, and to do all these things willfully and with a total heart-felt dedication to God! He wanted Solomon to have God as first place on the throne of his heart! He didn't want Solomon to be like spiritual zombies (like most church goers!) who sing and worship God out of with such apathy. He wanted Solomon to know and love God with all his heart!!!
c) He reminded him that "the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought." Wow! He reminds his son that he can't fool God! He wanted Solomon to "keep it real!"
d) He explains how God works! He says, "If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever." Can it be any clearer than that?
e) He urges his son to "take this seriously" the task of serving the Lord and building the Temple. Solomon is not to let anything side track him from the task of building the Temple.
f) He encourages his son to "be strong and do the work." In others words, "Git'r Done!"
g) He offers his son the plans, the finances, and the materials to build the Temple. He leaves his son the resources needed to be successful at the task!
h) He assures his son of success through the mighty Hands of God!

Wow! What great advice for fathers!

See you tomorrow! Have a great day in the Lord!

1 Chronicles 22 - 25

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Have you ever had a vision or dream to do something great FOR GOD? Have you ever wished you could do something to show your devotion, love, and appreciation to Him? Well, David has a vision, and the vision is bigger than himself - it's to build a monument to the Glory of God! But not just a monument, a Temple, where God can be worshiped continually 24 hours a day, and where praise for God continually rises up before His throne!

Here are a few thoughts from today's chapter readings...

1) Expect GREAT things from God; attempt GREAT things for God! I love that statement! However, it's not from me, it's a quote I heard years ago as a young preacher boy whose quotation is attributed to William Carey. He made this statement in his sermon to the Baptist Association meeting in Hampton, England on May 30, 1792. He said to motivate his colleagues to enter the missionary enterprise.

In today's chapter (22), we see King David sharing his great vision (vs.6), "I wanted to build a Temple to HONOR the name of the Lord my God." In order to see it come to pass, he spent years preparing the plans and accumulating a vast amount of resources to make it happen. However, David never did get to see the finished product. While he may have seen it in his mind, God told him that he couldn't build it due to the many men he had killed in the heat of battle. There was simply too much blood on his hands. So, God would allow his son, Solomon, to build it and finish it himself.

Even though David didn't have the opportunity to see the fulfillment of his dream, it happened anyway! What are you dreaming today? What are you actively doing right now to allow both faith and vision to blend together to expect GREAT things from God and attempt GREAT things for God? Take time to fast and pray and seek the Lord about what He'd like to accomplish through you! Only through quiet times can we usually hear God's voice. What is He saying to you?

2) Can you describe your life's mission statement? Before David died, he gave his middle-aged son, Solomon, a two-fold life mission statement (22:19):

a) Seek the Lord with all your heart!
b) Build the sanctuary of God!

Really, that's what all of us ought to be doing today! First, we ought to be seeking the Lord with all of our heart! Secondly, while there's no need to build a temple, we ought to build or do things that bring honor to name of God! The purpose of the building of the Temple was to bring HONOR to God throughout the world! Every one of us ought to be doing the same thing! We ought to be asking the question, "How can God use me to bring honor to His name throughout my world and, perhaps, the world?"

Try using this same mission statement for your life!

3) Music can help us memorize God's Word! Our memory can often play tricks on us, especially as we get older! So often, we forget where we left the car keys, or someone's name, or even where we left our glasses (that's me!). Maybe that's why memorizing God's Word is so difficult for many people.

As I read chapters 23-25 (and especially 25:1), David is creating an organization of ministers and musicians to offer continual praise before the Lord within the Temple. How cool is that? But, when we read 25:1, it says, " David and the army commanders then appointed men...to proclaim God's messages to the accompaniment of harps, lyres, and cymbals."

Isnt' that interesting? So often, it's easier to remember things when put to music! Right? We remember things so much better when music is applied to it. For example, I can still recite the Greek alphabet to this day (after 20 years) all because I learned it in bible college to the tune of "Yankee Doodle." So, if you want me to recite the Greek alphabet for you, you'll have to hear it to the tune of Yankee Doodle, otherwise I'm stuck!

Try memorizing some verses today! Try putting it to music and see what happens!

Have a great day in the Lord!

1 Chronicles 19 - 21

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Have you ever worried about things going too good in your life? You know what I mean! Don't you ever wonder about when things seem to be going so well that it makes you wonder when it's all going to come to an end or get interupted by something bad? I have at times.

I'm not sure if King David ever worried about some bad event creeping up in the midst of some exciting times, but that's exactly what happens in today's Bible reading! Here's what you can learn from David's life...

1) Satan loves to spoil a good time! In chapter 19, David is fighting one military victory after another. He destroyed the Arameans and the Ammonites, then he gloriously captured the city of Rabbah. On top of that, he and his troops destroy the last of the giants of Raphah! Everything is going extremely well for him and the nation of Israel. He's having a good time enjoying the blessings of God and fulfilling God's will.

But, in chapter 21, David sins against the Lord and causes the immediate death of some 70,000 Israelites!

Here's some things we can learn from this horrible incident...

2) Satan devises a plan, and gains God's permission. God was angry with the nation of Israel (2 Samuel 24:1)! Satan knew it, and devised a plan! Notice what Satan did in Job 1:6-12 in planning a scheme against Job! Satan, obviously, decided to prod David with a test - just like he did with Job. Notice 1 Chronicles 21:1 - "Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census of the people of Israel."

3) Satan creates the temptation by working on our weaknesses! God didn't cause David to sin, Satan created the temptation for David to sin. God gave David the free will to choose between right and wrong. Yes, He allowed Satan the opportunity to trip David up, but God was hoping that David would do the right thing (just as Job did!), but David gave in to temptation. Notice how Satan attacked David - at his weakest point. For anyone in power over a kingdom, they'd like to know just how much power and kingdom they have! Satan knows mankind very well! And, his plan worked.

The reason the census taking was a sin was because of what the Law of Moses said about census taking. It was, first of all, to be ordered by the Lord! It was not to be initiated by any human means. When David ordered the census without God's permission, it became a sin to him! Even as he admits in 21:17 - "I am the one who called for the census! I am the one who has sinned and done wrong!" David knew it was wrong, but he did it anyway!

4) Though Satan won the struggle to get David to sin, God won the battle! Satan, no doubt, enjoyed seeing God's anger vented toward Israel and his servant David. He, no doubt, enjoyed watching as the Death Angel took out his sword and invisibly slew some 70,000 people throughout the territory. What he didn't like, however, was that David got a glimpse of this frightening looking creature and immediately purchased a field just in front of the Angel, built an altar, and humbly sacrificed to the Lord in deep repentance and confession. Immediately upon confession of his sin, David visibly and nervously watched as the Death Angel put his sword back into his sheath in answer to God's command to stop the plague.

It must have been a horrible, horrible thing! The Bible says that David (a mighty warrior) was so frightened by the drawn sword of this Angel, that he could never go back to that land to pray to the Lord! It must have been a life-altering experience! In fact. it put the "fear of God" into David's life!

It's time we all realize just how Holy our God is! It's time we fear Him! Solomon said, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Do you fear Him?

May God's face shine upon you today!

1 Chronicles 16 - 18

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As King David celebrated the returning of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, he created and had the Levites sing a song of thanksgiving to the Lord. Here's some stuff you can learn from David's song:

1) 7 Things We All Ought To Do With God Everyday:

- Give Him thanks! vs.8
- Proclaim His greatness! vs.8
- Let the whole world know what He has done! vs.8, 9
- Sing to Him! vs.9
- Exalt and worship Him! vs.10
- Search for Him, His strength, and continually seek Him! vs.11
- Remember His miracles and commandments! vs.12

2) We are to EVANGELIZE the world! 16:23-24

Here's how:
- We're to do it EACH DAY! vs.23
- We're to share the GOOD NEWS of salvation! vs.23
- We should PUBLISH all that He's done! vs.24
- We should publish it to ALL THE NATIONS! vs.24
- We're to tell EVERYONE! vs.24

3) There are 4 things that SURROUND God:
16:22

- Honor - He is exalted by all the angels and everything is in awe of Him!
- Majesty - His presence is glorious as He rules supreme over everything!
- Strength - He can accomplish anything!
- Joy - Peace, happiness, and excitement fill His presence!

4) God's Word gives us the boldness and faith to do GREAT THINGS FOR GOD!


God does an incredible thing in chapter 17! He tells David that He will make him famous throughout the world and give him a lasting dynasty (which is eventually fulfilled in Jesus Christ, a direct descendant of King David). David, now filled with this message from the Lord, goes forth in chapter 18 and accomplishes several major military victories without fear!

Notice what David does with the spoil. He give ALL the spoil to God - to the building of His Temple (which will be started and finished during the reign of his son, Solomon).

What a great 3 chapters! Have a wonderful day in the Lord!

1 Chronicles 13 - 15

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Here are a few lessons we can learn from today's three chapters...

1) Prayer is CRITICAL for protection and guidance! In chapter 13 (yesterday's reading) we saw how God killed Uzzah for touching the Ark of the Covenant while it was being pulled on a cart by a few oxen. As a result of touching the Ark, God slew Uzzah!

In chapter 15, David explains what happened - they forgot to pray about "how" to the handle the task of moving the Ark. He says in verse 1315, "Because you Levites did not carry the Ark the first time, and anger of the Lord our God burst out against us. We failed to ask God how to move it properly...Then the Levites carried the Ark of God on their shoulders with its carrying poles, justs theLord had instructed Moses."

Because they moved the Ark in the EXACT way God had ordered, He blessed them! Notice 15:26 - "Then David and the elders of Israel... went...up to Jeruslalem with a great celebration. And because God was clearly helping the Levites asthey carried the Ark of the Lord's Covenant..."

David learned his lesson about NOT praying before you do something. In fact, in chapter 14:11, David asks God about direction in what to do as the Philistine army approaches them in battle. And, again in 14:14, he goes to God in prayer as the Philistines decide to attack again! Through prayer, God gave David direction and guidance on how to win the battle! Prayer is our greatest tool!

2) Angels fight in our behalf! I love the story of how God defeats the Philistines during the last part of chapter 14. He tells David to "circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees. When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the trees, go out and attack! That will be the signal that God is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army!"

These are the angels of God's army going before David! The noise they hear of marching footsteps at the top of the poplar trees are God's army of angels! Remember when Elisha was attacked by the Aramean who came to capture him (2 Kings 6:15-18) and his servant said, "Oh sir, what will we do now?" Elisha prayed that God would open his servant's eyes, and when he did he was able to see into the spiritual realm and the fact that the entire hillside was surrounded by thousands of angels! Elisha told him, "Don't be afraid! For there are more on our side than on theirs."

Even this morning I overheard a waitress giving God the glory about a car wreck they just missed being involved in. She said, "There was no way we could have avoided that car wreck unless God (and His angels) did it! It was an absolute miracle!"

Remember, Paul admonished the Christian believers in Hebrews 13:2, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."

Angels are very involved in our lives!

3) Never forget that it is God who works THROUGH us! Throughout David's remarkable military campaigns, he never give himself the glory. Chapter 14 offers us a good example of how humble David is, as well as how much he realizes that God is the one that has protected him from the many battles he's engaged in. In 14:11, it says, "So David and his troops went up to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines there. 'God did it!', David exclaimed. 'He used me to burst through my enemies like a raging flood! So they named that place Baal-perazim (which means 'the Lord bursts through')."

Unlike other kings who would have named the city after themselves, David gives the glory to God and identifies it as a city in which the Lord gets all the glory!

God has a purpose in this world and He has a purpose for your existence. It is He who will accomplish His purpose. And, He will accomplish it through you. There is NOTHING you can do for God. God does NOT need your help. He does, however, want to use you to accomplish His purpose and plan - the very one for which He's allowed you to be created for! Therefore, in reality, we have no reason to become prideful. The bible says that "all good things come from above from the Father of lights." Humility is where God wants us to be. It lets Him know that we understand His greatness and our weakness. And, it presents an attitude through which God loves to do His greatest work!

Have a wonderful day in the Lord!

1 CHRONICLES 10 - 12

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Just so you know: The writer of the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles appears to be a Jew (from the tribe of Judah) who has returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile since he has obvious knowledge of "why" Israel and Judah was exiled into Babylonian slavery (9:1), and knowledge of exactly "who" the people were who were able to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple (9:2-34)! In returning to Jerusalem, he gives us a rapid but detailed account of the geneological records of the nation of Israel and Judah leading from Adam (the first man) to King David (Israel's most Godly king). His first mission seems to be restoring Israel's and Judah's historical identity as a people group and the need for rebuilding the Temple!

The rest of 1 and 2 Chronicles give us a duplicate account of what we just finished reading in 1 and 2 Kings, however with less detail.

Here's another important note: When the writer of 1 and 2 Chronicles was writing these books, he (and other Jews) realized that God had not fulfilled the promises (of a Messiah) concerning David's son completely in Solomon's day or during any of his successors' reigns. They looked for a Messiah to appear who would be both a king and a priest. The prophets had given revelation that such a person would come someday. He would be a perfect king who would rule the whole world, not just Israel (Ps. 2; et al.). Moreover he would be a priest, not of the Aaronic order, but of the order of Melchizedek (Ps. 110; et al.). David was the first king of Israel who served as a faithful priest after this order. He personally offered sacrifices and led the people in worship as well as in government. David's successors on the throne did the same things. The prophets promised that Messiah would build a house (temple) for God. He would give attention to His people's worship of God and their fellowship with God. He would be a man of peace compared to David who was a man of war (1 Chron. 22:7-9). David's rule was the kind of rule the coming King would establish. Consequently the writer of 1 and 2 Chronicles measured all of David's successors by the standard of David and his kingdom.

The 3 chapters we read today (10 - 12), tells us the details of how great warriors from Israel defected from the army of Israel and joined David's group of exiled soldiers. All of Israel was beginning to realize that David would soon be the new King of Israel. After Saul's death, they flocked to David in great numbers begging him to be the new King.

Chapter 12 is one of my favorite chapters! It describes the kind of men we need today! These were unusually brave and courageous men! The weakest among them could take on a hundred regular troops and the strongest could take on a thousand (12:14)! We need men like that today who will fight Heaven's battles and make a difference in this world for the cause of Christ!

It's good to note that David's power was not in himself! David was merely one man - a brave man - but only one man. Chapter 11 and 12 explain the dynamics of David's success:
1) God and His Angels fought the battles for David! 11:9 - "And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord of Heaven's Armies was with him."
2) God gave David some of the bravest and most-skilled warriors on the planet! (chapter 12)

Well, that's all for now. Have a wonderful day in the Lord!

1 Chronicles 1 - 9

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Since these first 9 chapters are simply the geneological records of the beginning of Israel and the developments leading up to King David, I thought perhaps you could simply peruse through these chapters and try not to get bogged down in understanding it all. Someday, you may want to go back through it and do a study on each of these individuals or their tribes. But, for now, let's just cruise through it and let me give you some insight as to what you're reading here.

Here's what you can learn from these geneological records...

1) How Israel began! The first 27 verses of 1 Chronicles provides a detailed account of the development of a group of people (Israel) that God begins an intimate relationship with and from whom Jesus Christ (His Son) will be born to. These verses give a generation-by-generation account from Adam (the first man created by God) to Abraham (the grandfather of Jacob - who was renamed "Israel").

a) Only 10 generations lasted before God destroyed the earth with a flood! In the first 4 verses, you can see that it only took 10 generations of people before Noah is born - the very man whom God commanded to build an Ark due to the fact that He was going to destroy the world with a flood as a result of man's intense wickedness! This, and the book of Revelation, are great indications of just how wicked man really is without the Holy Spirit of God convicting men of their sin and of the need to be in right standing with God! Man is essentially evil at heart, not good!

2) How the Earth was populated! From verse 5 to verse 27, we see the lineage of the 3 children of Noah who came out of the Ark after the flood and repopulated the Earth. Remember, these sons were married BEFORE they entered the Ark, thus they had children after the flood event. You don't read this here, but the descendants of Japhepth poplulated (according to the book of Genesis) populated the north - Europe, Russia, Turkey, Italy, etc. The descendants of Ham populated the southern and eastern regions such as Africa and Asia. The descendants of Shem populated the regions primarily around the nation of Israel and the central regions of the Middle East.

3) It only took 5 generations before WAR broke out after the flood! In 1:10, we read of Nimrod, "who was the first heroic warrior on earth." It's sad to think how brothers can't even get along!

4) Shem's family destroys much of Ham's family! When you get to verse 13 of chapter 1, you see the very families that God tells Moses, Joshua, and the nation of Israel to destroy out of the land of Canaan because of the evil life they lived. Canaan was a descendant of Ham (one of the 3 sons of Noah). In essence, it's cousins killing off cousins!

5) More Cousins Killing Cousins! In 1:36, you see the tribe of Amalek arising out of the tribe of Esau (Israel's - or Jacob's - brother). Do you remember what the Amalekites did after Israel escaped from Egypt and after they crossed the Red Sea? They attacked their cousins - the Israelites - in an attempt to destroy them! You talk about family problems!

6) Chapter 2 goes right to King David! The bright spot in the nation of Israel was King David! Therefore, it's not surprising that only 1 chapter is devoted to the special tribe from which King David came from - that of Judah! Although Israel (Jacob) had 12 sons from which came 12 tribes, they'll be described later, but for now - the writer wants to talk about how King David came to the throne of Israel! After all, this is the lineage from which the Messiah - Jesus Christ - will come from! According to Matthew 1, there were 14 generations from Abraham to King David. Sadly, only 14 generations were developed after King David before Israel became so corrupt and evil that God sent them into Babylonian exile. And, it was another struggling 14 generations after that that Jesus Christ was born!

While so much more could be said, I hope this gives you some idea of the many things you can get out of the remaining 7 chapters. May the Lord give you a wonderful day!

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