Category: 1 Chronicles

Reading

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SAA Notes

80 verses are spent on the Tribe of Levi. The worship of God as He instituted worship is of central concern in any rebuilding of the Church, the Israel of God. Ancient Israel’s treatment of Levi was an important catalyst and indicator of spiritual health. The New Testament reminds the Church that her treatment of preachers is a like catalyst and indicator. 1 Thess.5:17,18.

SJA Notes

* Lord Above, let our cry come before You, O LORD; give us understanding according to Your word!

“But Aaron and his sons made offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense for all the work of the Most Holy Place, and to make atonement for Israel, …”

This passage looks at the priestly families, the high-priestly line, and the cities to which they (the Levite tribe) were sprinkled throughout the promised land, like salt.

The hard reality here is that these priests failed to combat the sin of the people.

Israel still went into exile, and the church couldn’t keep them from their sin. The human priests couldn’t even save themselves, the blood of bulls and goats didn’t wash away their sin.

As then, so now.

The church cannot save a person. The church cannot wash a sinner clean.

But.

We have the words written at the same time, around the exile and the return – from Jeremiah, Ezekiel, from Isaiah – pointing to a better way, a high priest who could offer up Himself, the righteous branch of Jesse, a better saviour!

He is the one who saves, and we the church are the ones who point to Him and Him alone (not ourselves, not the world).

* Father God,

Thank You for Jesus!

Thank You for saving us, completely and utterly!

Thank You that in You the Son, our Saviour Jesus, we see a High Priest like no other – One that offered up Himself as a sacrifice for our sin, to have Your just punishment we deserve meted out on Himself.

Thank You Lord!

Amen.

Reading

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SAA Notes

The three tribes mentioned here were the ones most easily overlooked, the ones who had played ever only a minor part in Israel. God did not want His people to overlook or forget these tribes in the return from exile. The hope was always a return for all Israel – as the Apostle Paul wrote: and so all Israel will be saved. Romans 11:26. Are there people from your congregation’s past whom you have forgotten?

SJA Notes

* Dear God, our soul keeps Your testimonies, we love them exceedingly.

“But they broke faith with the God of their fathers, and whored after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them.”

These genealogies are a reminder for the returning exiles, and for us as well.

They are an encouragement to see God’s hand at work (remember!).

And they hold what happens when we reject God and follow after the world and idols (remember!).

Today we read of the sin of the tribes of Reuben, Gad and (half of) Manasseh.

They broke faith with the Lord, and there were consequences.

They returning exiles were not to forget what happened! (remember!)

We are to do the same – To remember. Remember the Lord, flee from idolatry. Remember what happens when you do turn to idols.

When Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, he says 1 Corinthians 10 of fleeing idolatry and the mechanics of temptation,

“Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.”

Let us learn from these passages, so that we might not desire evil!

* Father God,

Please write Your word on our hearts today, that we might not sin against You.

Please show us what You want for us to learn from this passage.

Please show us Jesus.

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

This chapter contains the prayer of Jabez – made much of, today, in certain Christian circles. The example of Jabez is informative for the returning exiles and for us in this: the tribes of Israel needed to grow and expand. Jabez did not look to worldly wisdom to attain this end, but he looked to God for His blessing.

SJA Notes

* Faithful God, plead our cause and redeem us; give us life according to Your promise!

“The descendants of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son; …”

Here we read of the royal line all the way to those returning from exile.

You can see this lineage follows the royal line rather than actual biology.

We know that Zedekiah was an uncle of Jeconiah (not his biological son).

But in terms of the throne, he was a son.

Chronicles was an important book for the returning exiles.

Knowing this adds deep meaning to the lists of people, the genealogies.

They are to encourage the exiles as they return from far-off Babylon and other places. When they see the ruin of Jerusalem, of the temple – These lists would remind them of God at work for their good throughout the years.

As with the exiles, so with us.

We can see God at work, and this is for our own encouragement as we walk this road.

We can know that God has been at work for thousands of years, in each generation of His people, and will continue to be at work.

We can see that His sovereign will cannot be thwarted.

His will for us, His people, is goodness!

* Gracious Lord God,

Thank You that You work for our good.

Thank You that You have worked with this intent for all the span of humanity, and that You continue to work this way.

Thank You for saving us Lord God, from our sin.

Amen.