Message Theme & Verses: 1 Chronicles
Memory Verse: 1 Chronicles 28:9b If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if your forsake him, he will cast you off forever.
1 Chronicles was originally one big book with 2 Chronicles called “the events of the years.” It was most likely written by a priest or levite who had access to the temple record. The 70 Jewish scholars who translated the book into Greek called it Paraleipomena or “things omitted” when putting together the Septuagint, viewing it as a companion to Samuel and Kings. Then, Jerome translated the Bible into Latin and labeled the book as a chronicle of sacred history and Martin Luther finally called the book The Chronicles in his German translation.
We can trace the history of God’s from Adam to their return from exile to rebuild the temple if we read Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. This book was probably written just after the restoration of the temple when the people needed hope. They were back in the Promised Land after God used capture by foreign nations to discipline them and bring them out of idol worship. But, things were not good and there was much conflict internally and with foreign nations.
Chronicles is about the Davidic Covenant as a basis for the people to relate to God and the author wants the people to see that unfaithfulness by the people leads to destruction and disaster, but when the kings are faithful, the people experience God’s blessing. There is hope that the two main institutions, the temple and the monarchy will be restored.
Chronicles is about calling the people to seek God and to not forsake God. The chronicler also shows how in Israel’s history, even with King David, when the people humbly repent and atone through the sacrificial system at the temple, God will forgive and restore His people in His mercy and grace.
1 Chronicles is about the life and reign of King David and paints a beautiful picture of God’s people thriving by living under a godly leader and the watchful hand of God Himself. There is a heavier emphasis on the temple than in Kings and we get the idea that the continuation of David’s reign and the hope for the people may not come politically, but through the Messiah.
These books also highlight the people themselves and longs for all the tribes of Israel to be back together, serving God. The southern kingdom of Judah has returned from captivity in Babylon, but they are incomplete without their northern brothers. By looking back over the history of God’s people, Chronicles is actually looking forward to when God’s Kingdom will be fully established and everything will be restored. Then, we will see God’s people living God’s way in God’s land.
Read 1 Chronicles 29:10-20
Jesus in 1 Chronicles 29:10-20
If we look closely, we can see that this is different than Samuel and Kings as Chronicles gives us more theology than just history. The people of God, those who love God and follow Christ are the heirs of the promises God made to Israel. We become sons and heirs not by blood, but by faith. The hope that the throne of David will be restored is fulfilled in Christ. Though the kings of Israel were not obedient to God’s law, Jesus met all of the conditions of obedience. When Jesus died, He paid the ultimate sacrifice that animals at the temple never could. Then, in His resurrection, Jesus took His throne in heaven, the son of David and the Son of God. Jesus is the King the people have been waiting for. He is both the Great High Priest and the perfect sacrifice. Jesus reflects the judgment and blessing of God shown in Chronicles as well. Jesus bore the judgment of God on sin and gives all those who believe in Him new life as citizens in God’s perfect, holy Kingdom.
Questions
If someone wrote the story of your life, what would you call it?
What stories would you like the book to tell? (We might want a book that only tells good stories about us. But, God is the hero of the Bible and so even in books like Chronicles that tell the story of God’s people, the good and the bad are both on display. We see the people blessed when they seek God and we see the punishment and correction for those who forsake Him.)
David was a mighty king who won many battles and did many great things. How does he see himself in relation to God? (In David’s prayer we can see that he gives all of the glory and honor to God. David recognizes that God is the powerful creator and the one who raises and lowers kings and kingdoms. David feels small before God and knows that God tests men’s hearts.)
What does David mean when he says “we are strangers before you and sojourners?” (David is saying that the people are completely dependent on God for their provision and protection. He knows that God is eternal and that the life of a man is short. David knows that the Promised Land belongs to God and the people can only be in it if they follow God. David asks God to make the people faithful to Him.)
Why did the people make sacrifices to God? (There can be no forgiveness of sins without the shedding of blood. The animal sacrifices are indicating to God that they people recognize that they are sinful and deserve to die. They are offering the animal as a substitute for their own punishment and death. Of course, animals are not perfect and cannot obey God’s law, so the blood of animals cannot wash away sin. Only Jesus, who perfectly obeyed every command of God the Father is worthy to be the perfect sacrifice. Jesus can satisfy the wrath of the Father against sinners with the payment of His precious blood. He takes away sins and gives his own righteousness to a sinful people can be together with their holy God.)
What would your prayer to God today be for your family?
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