Category: 1st and 2nd Chronicles-BibleTrekToday
Trek through 1st and 2nd Chronicles
Rejoice in faithfulness!
Scripture reading for April 17th: 1st Chronicles 5-8
Key Scriptures: 1st Chronicles 5:25-26 “But they were unfaithful to the God of their fathers and prostituted themselves to the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them. So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul, king of Assyria, that is, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria), who took the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh into exile.”
The writer of Chronicles, possibly Ezra the priest, was faithful to record the history of God’s people. He set down, tribe by tribe, to tell how their character and faithfulness brought reward or their lack of faithfulness brought dire consequences. Here, the tribes that failed to enter the promised land soon fell to idolatry and were unfaithful to God. As a result, the king of Assyria took them into captivity! We have another ‘bad example’ to warn us!
Thankful for faithfulness: Jesus Christ, was our faithful brother from the tribe of Judah! He completely obeyed and makes it possible for us to be free to possess our inheritance! “But Christ is faithful as a Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.” (Hebrews 3:6)
Thankful God knows our name!
Scripture reading for April 14th: 2nd Kings 25, 1st Chronicles 1-4
Key Scriptures: 1st Chronicles 1:1-4 “Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah. The sons of Noah; Shem, Ham and Japheth.”
Chronicles 1:1-4 opens with a list of names beginning with Adam and going through the sons of Noah, which began the history of the world after the flood. God uses each person’s unique name and records them in His books! Some are written down here in the Bible and referred to in other passages according to their stories. Others are written in the Book of Life as they put their faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ! He knows each name and each name has a story known by God!
Thankful that God knows our name: Our name may or may not be recorded in the Bible, God’s holy book. But we can be sure that He records all those who are His children in the Book of Life! “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. . . .If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:12, 15)
Eyes of the heart!
Scripture reading for August 25th: Ephesians 1
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:” (Ephesians 1:1)
Paul opened his letter to the Ephesian church by addressing them as ‘saints’, the ‘faithful in Christ Jesus.’ Paul always tried to help believers view themselves as Christ would–new creations made holy by the blood of their Savior! He emphasized their continued faithfulness to stay in Christ and proceeded to give them a beautiful description of their standing with Christ. They had been chosen by Him “before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.” (vs 4) They had also been adopted as God’s sons through Christ. (vs 5) They also had been given a knowledge of the ‘mystery of His will.’ (vs 9) They were also ‘marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.’ (vs 13)
Paul then recorded a prayer to help us to pray for continued understanding. “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:17-19a)
Believers have a second set of eyes given them–the ‘eyes of your heart.’ These eyes are opened through prayer and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. As God’s Word is allowed access, the Spirit brings light to our inner man and our faith expands to give purpose and meaning to each day. We can know Christ and His provision for us!
The curse of the law!
Scripture reading for August 19th: Galatians 3
“You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?” (Galatians 3:1-2)
False teachers had come to Galatia and told the church members that to be real Christians, they needed to keep certain parts of the Jewish law–particularly circumcision. Paul used the rabbinic technique of asking questions. He asked them to identify who it was that was ‘bewitching’ them. He asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit through keeping the law or by faith. The answer was obvious!
“All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law. Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” (Galatians 3:10-13)
Paul explained that the law brings a curse on all those seeking to keep it. It is the curse of sin and death that results from breaking God’s law for all have sinned! But Jesus Christ took the curse of death by taking our sins with Him to the cross! He was hung on that tree that we might believe on Him and be justified by faith! This is available to Jew and Gentile! Have you been redeemed from the curse of the law?
There was no remedy!
Scripture reading for May 2nd: 2nd Chronicles 33-36
“The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent word to them through His messengers again and again, because He had pity on His people and His dwelling place. But they mocked His words and scoffed at His prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against His people and there was no remedy.” 2nd Chronicle 36:15-16
The period of the Kings and Chronicles ends with this sober statement concerning the Lord’s evaluation of the state of His people. He sent messengers repeatedly. He had loved them and provided for them. He had driven out their enemies and delivered them miraculously time after time. He had given them His presence in their midst and a way to return to Him. But they mocked His words and mistreated the prophets. This aroused God’s anger and He sent the promised consequences!
“There was no remedy!” Does it mean that God would not hear the prayers of His people any more? Did it mean that He had given up on them and was through? Did it mean that God had failed His people and would not honor the covenants that He had made with them?
No, God is faithful, even when we are faithless! (2nd Timothy 2:11-13) God was going to allow the consequences of their stubbornness to fall on them. They would see the destruction of their temple and go into captivity. The land would enjoy it’s sabbath rests that they failed to give in accordance with God’s Word. (2nd Chronicles 36:21) Seventy years would pass in captivity as decreed by Jeremiah, the prophet. (Jeremiah 25:11-12) After this time of captivity and punishment, God would again restore the nation to their land and rebuild the temple. Isaiah the prophet correctly named Cyrus as the ruler who would give the decree to rebuild Jerusalem more than 150 years before it happened! (Isaiah 44:28)
God is merciful even in judgment! He lets us in on His plan if we are humble and will listen to His Word. But there is coming another day when there will be “no remedy” for those who reject Jesus Christ! Without repentance and faith in Him, there will be eternal captivity in the Lake of Fire! (Revelation 20:11-15) Let’s humbly cling to God’s remedy!
Priorities to obtain God’s blessing!
Scripture reading for May 1st: 2nd Chronicles 29-32
Today we find our country in economic turmoil and moral collapse. We find many of our children leaving the path of the Lord and going into captivity in the world system of humanism and self-gratification. Many churches are losing members and there are few young families in attendance. But the times we live in are not new!
This was the case 2700 years ago in Judah under King Hezekiah. The wrath of God was poured out on the nation because they had forsaken Him! Many had fallen to the violence of that day. Women and children were in captivity and the nation was in terror and fear. (2nd Chronicles 29:8-9) King Hezekiah began to set things in order. His plan of action was to order priorities for obtaining the blessing of God again. The first step he took was to reopen the doors of the the temple and repair it’s doors. (2nd Chronicles 29:3-6) He brought in the priests and Levites and had them consecrate themselves first and then they began to cleanse the temple. They removed all defilements from King Ahaz and restored the utensils and furniture that he had removed.
The next thing Hezekiah did was gather all the leaders and renew the covenant with the Lord by sacrifice. Sin must be confessed and atoned for with blood sprinkled on the altar. (2nd Chronicles 29:24) The king and the people sang and worshiped as the sacrifices were being offered. The Levites played and led the singing. The people bowed and worshiped and offered themselves with joy and gladness! The work was completed quickly!
Is your life in turmoil and your family in captivity? Is your temple in disrepair? Begin by removing the clutter and idols and turn to the Lord in humble repentance. Consecrate your life to the Lord again and establish a regular pattern of worship. Claim the blood of Jesus Christ to atone for your sins! He can do a “quick work” in your life too! May God’s blessing and joy be restored!
A walk with God!
Scripture reading for April 30th: 2nd Chronicles 26-28
People are always curious when someone says that they know a secret that will make them young, rich, beautiful, successful or powerful. Many people have gotten rich selling secrets to these popular desires. Most of them are people who are playing on the selfish nature of man for their own benefit. We would do well to avoid them. But in today’s reading, we find a treasure from the Lord!
Let’s look at the Life of Jotham, the twenty five year old son of King Uzziah. He did right in the eyes of the Lord. (2nd Chronicles 27:2) The main event recorded was a war with the Ammonites and Jotham conquered them. (2nd Chronicles 27:5) After the conquest, he got a large amount of silver, wheat, and barley for several years.
The secret of his power is found in one verse that makes up a paragraph! “Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God.” (2nd Chronicles 27:6) Faithfulness is the first requirement of a good steward. Jotham was faithful and he kept the faith all of his life! He served the Lord his God. He wasn’t just the God of his father or mother. In order to serve steadfastly, each person needs to know God personally!
If you don’t know God personally, why not ask the Lord to be your God today! The path to great power starts with a heart commitment to the Lord in faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12) We must humbly confess our sins and our need of His grace. (1st John 1:9) We must believe in our hearts and confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord. (Romans 10:9-11) All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ and He has good works for us to walk in. (Ephesians 2:8-10) If you continue in the faith, steadfast to the end, you will experience the greatest power available to man–God will raise you from the dead and you will live forever with Him! (1st Thessalonians 4:13-18) May the Lord bless you with great power!
He passed away–to no one’s regret!
Scripture reading for April 29th: 2nd Chronicles 21-25
I have officiated at many funerals. Most have been fairly well attended and most have been for people who knew the Lord and had a Christian testimony. Often there is much crying because of the great loss of that person’s life. Sorrow is normal and mourning usually goes on for several months or more. I remember attending the funeral of a famous Christian musician and songwriter. The service was three hours long and the graveside service another half-hour! This man ended well and there were lots of people who were sad that he had departed.
King Jehoram was a king of Judah who did evil in the Lord’s eyes. He married a daughter of the wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. God raised up enemies who constantly caused trouble in Jehoram’s kingdom. Jehoram sought idols and built pagan shrines instead of seeking the Lord. The prophet Elijah sent him a letter that told him of his sins and the coming consequences. (2nd Chronicles 21:12-15) This letter warned that God would strike Jehoram’s family and the king himself with a wasting disease of the bowels. Jehoram was unresponsive to God’s warning.
God aroused the Philistines and Arabs, and they attacked Jerusalem and carried off all of Jehoram’s sons but the youngest. Jehoram was afflicted with the disease of the bowels and he died in great pain. There is no record that he sought the Lord or tried to find help from God. When this king died, there was no big funeral or celebration of remembrance. “He (Jehoram) passed away, to no one’s regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.” (2nd Chronicles 21:20b)
How are you living your life? What kind of legacy are you leaving behind in your community and family? What will people say about you and your life when you pass from the scene? More importantly, what will God say about your life? Will the only record be that you “did evil in the eyes of the Lord”? (2nd Chronicles 21:6) My prayer is that you hear “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25: 23)
Godly judges are important!
Scripture reading for April 28th: 2nd Chronicles 17-20
A dangerous trend in our own land is the appointment of judges who do not render decisions based on the law, but try to legislate from the bench. They feel that they can tailor the laws of the land rather than just interpreting the laws according to their original intent. Every government needs a moral base of law to define clearly what is right and wrong.
King Jehoshaphat decided to bring reform to the people he served. He appointed judges in each of the fortified cities and gave them strict instructions about how to serve the Lord and His people. He told them that each decision should be rendered as from the Lord and that the fear of the Lord should be upon them. (2nd Chronicles 19:5-7) There should be no injustice, partiality, or bribery, for God is righteous!
In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites to administer the Law of the Lord. He gave them strict orders to uphold the Law of the Lord and to warn the people not to sin against the Lord or his wrath would come upon them. (2nd Chronicles 19:9-10) They were to act with courage and God would be with them and reward them.
God Himself places all authority in position. (Psalm 75:6-7) When those in authority violate His laws, consequences follow that bring God’s wrath and judgment. Unrighteous judges have reinterpreted the laws of our land seeking to remove God and His law from the land. We are in danger of God’s wrath and are already experiencing it.
Take time today to pray for those in authority. Pray that they will appoint judges who will impartially interpret the laws. Pray that there will be no bribery, injustice, or partiality. Vote for godly leaders. Call elected officials and make your godly beliefs known. Teach your children God’s Word and law so that they know what He expects! If we don’t pray and take action, we will be overwhelmed with ungodly laws, unrighteous judges, and God’s wrath!
Stay connected with God!
Scripture reading for April 26th: 2nd Chronicles 13-16
“Listen to me, Asa and all of Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2nd Chronicles 15:2
“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2nd Chronicles 15:7
King Asa started out right and did right in the eyes of the Lord. He proceeded to remove idols from the land and commanded God’s people to seek the Lord and obey His laws. The land enjoyed peace under his godly rule. When an attack came from Zerah the Cushite, Asa called out to the Lord for help and God answered him. (2nd Chronicles 14:11) King Asa had a great victory as he walked close to the Lord.
God saw something inside of this king that He addressed through the prophetic ministry of Azariah, son of Oded. He encouraged Asa to keep on seeking the Lord and to stay with the Lord. He warned him and his followers that if they forsook the Lord, they would end up in trouble. He told King Asa to be strong and not give up. God would reward him for his work.
The prophetic word is meant to strengthen us, but we must stay humble and teachable. Asa was humble at the time of an earlier word, but later Asa went his own way without consulting God and enlisted the Syrian King Ben-Hadad with monies from the temple treasuries. The prophet Hanani told him he had done a foolish thing and would now be at war. Asa became angry with the seer and imprisoned him. He mistreated some of the Lord’s people as well. He got a disease in his feet, but refused to seek the Lord and only went to doctors. As a result, he died.
Thank God today for the prophetic word that seeks to warn and encourage us. Ask the Lord to teach you what you need to know. If you have a hard heart, connect with His amazing love and let this word encourage you. Be strong, do not give up, for your work will be rewarded! 2nd Chronicles 15:7