1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17
After having read the books of Samuel and Kings, Chronicles will add some very interesting information. Chronologically these books were probably written after the Babylonian exile. Their purpose was to reestablish both the genealogy of Israel and the history of Israel for a new generation reentering the land. It has been supposed that Ezra, of the book of Ezra, was the writer. When we get to Ezra, we'll see that it was not easy for Israel to reestablish itself. This genealogy and history would help.
Why start at the beginning? Well, as mentioned in a famous song from Sound of Music, "that's a very good place to start." Actually, the direction Ezra is going is toward the lineage of David and the Davidic kingship. That is "the shoreline" we come to today. The writer is linking David to Adam, both of whom had a special relationship to God.
Enjoy the reading. Some of this will be review. See how much you remember.
1Chr. 1:19 Notice Peleg. In his days the earth was divided. This doesn't mean that surveying crews went out and set up boundaries. This was after the confusion of languages. People scattered from the area around Babylon. After this scattering of people, it is thought that the continents began to drift apart. In the movie "2012," this is what happens to the planet. Wisconsin becomes the new south pole. Packer fans would love that.
1Chr. 2:3 Notice that the author goes right to the tribe of Judah.
1Chr. 2:16 Notice the relationship between David and Joab. This was another reason why it was so hard for David to get rid of him. And notice the relationship between Joab and Amasa, whom he murdered.
Acts 23:11-35
V. 11 This is how we know that all of this mess was not a mistake on Paul's part. The Lord Himself stood with Paul in prison and told him that everything was going according to plan. So when you get here, you can look back over Paul's journey to Jerusalem, all of the warnings, Paul taking the guys into the temple to complete the vow and understand that it was God's plan, not some human mistake.
Vs. 12-15 This is simply first century terrorism. This is a suicide squad. I wonder if these guys really held to their vow. It would serve them right if they did.
Vs. 16-22 This tells you that Paul had family in Jerusalem and that they were still connected to the religious elite. That's the only way Paul's nephew could have been close to those who knew this information.
V. 17 This is another example in Acts of a Roman officer who was positive toward Christianity. What Luke mentions here would have gone into Roman records that might have been called upon for Paul's trial in Rome before Caesar.
Vs. 23-35 Caesarea was the Roman capital of Israel. This would be Paul's home for the next 3 years. Notice verse 29. This again would have been in the official Roman record. So why wasn't Paul released? Because, as we will find out, Felix was a rat. Oh, and God had a purpose in all of the next three years of confusion. Imagine, Paul had been so busy and traveling so broadly. Now God's will for him was to sit "under house arrest" for at least 3-4 years in Caesarea and then in Rome.
As disciples we learn like Paul did, and all the great servants of God before him, that we serve where and when and how He chooses. And even in jail or in isolation, we are in His will, serving the same God in His harvest.
This is probably a good place to use the Steven Curtis Chapman song, "What Kind of Joy." It is a song about the apostles and what it was that gave them joy in the harvest following Christ enduring hardship.
What Kind of Joy Steven Curtis Chapman lyrics below
Anybody in their right mind, would’ve given up their preaching and headed for home. They’ve been warned a hundred times, but something inside them keeps giving them hope. And just when you think they’d be crying, instead of the tears, there’s joy in their eyes.
What kind of joy is this, that counts it a blessing to suffer? What kind of joy is this, that gives the prisoner his song? What kind of joy could stare death in the face and see it as sweet victory? This is the joy of a soul that’s forgiven and free.
Anybody else with his pain, would want to shake their fist at heaven and give up the fight, ‘cause trouble had been Paul’s middle name ever since he’d been captured by God’s blinding light. But just when his hope should be dying, if you listen you’ll hear him singing as song.
What kind of joy is this, that counts it a blessing to suffer? What kind of joy is this, that gives the prisoner his song? What kind of joy could stare death in the face and see it as sweet victory? This is the joy of a soul that’s forgiven and free.
What kind of joy is this, the Father has promised his children? What kind of joy is this, that Jesus has come to reveal? What kind of joy could give hope in this world to someone just like you and me? This is the joy of a soul that’s forgiven, Oh, I’ve found this joy for my soul is forgiven and free.
Psalm 3
Wow. I wonder if Paul read this psalm in prison in Caesarea. God was in fact a shield around him.
Proverbs 18:14-15
What crushes a spirit? In the Spirit, a person close to God, led by the Spirit, prays and cries out and comes to understand the times and the Lord's leading. He or she survives those times that crush men's souls through coming to grips with God's will and His love. I'm sure that is how Paul survived these very long years in jail.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.
I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.
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