1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4
Admittedly, I tend to read some of this with half an eye, but there are some things to note.
1Chr. 2:18-55
Notice that up to verse 17 the author came to the reign of David. Now he is going back into the lineage of Judah again beginning with Caleb establishing the line of David through the exile to the return to the land. What you find here are a lot of names that became towns and villages.
Vs. 50-51 Kiriath-jearim became home to the ark of the covenant for a while and Bethlehem became a well-known place too.
V. 55 Now these are some interesting names, all associated with the tribe of Judah.
This is the first time you see the name of Jabez. Here it is the town named after the guy we meet in chapter four. Notice that this town became home of clans of scribes. Now, if you ask me, it was no accident that the scribes who made copies of the Bible settled in a town governed by a man like Jabez. Godliness attracts godliness. Then you have a summary of these clans of scribes who are called Kenites who come from the house of Rechab. The Rechabites will also figure to be important, especially in Jeremiah 35:1-19 where God makes an eternal promise to them. Godliness attracts godliness. I'll have more to say about Jabez tomorrow.
1Chr. 3
In this list of sons of David the intended goal seems to be getting to verse19. Zerubbabel was the first governor of Israel after they returned from Babylon. This establishes Zerubbabel as a continuation of the Davidic line. The other names continue the line of David to the 400 silent years, but the point is made that the line of David is clearly able to be established, even after the exile.
Notice how many kids David had with Bathsheba.
1Chr. 4:1-4
So, now the author is taking a look at the lineage of all of Israel, beginning with Judah, possibly with an emphasis on entering the land after Egypt.
Acts 24
This is another formal hearing regarding the "innocence" of Christianity in the Roman world. This would have been interesting news for Theophilus and the other readers of Acts.
V. 1 This Tertullus was a trained lawyer and with a Roman name and pedigree to win favor with Felix.
Vs. 10-21 Paul's defense not only has the backing of the Roman tribune who sent him to Caesarea, but the fact that Paul was found on the last, seventh, day of the cleansing, proved that he had done nothing to make a disturbance. This is why God allowed Paul to be caught on the last day.
Vs. 22-23 Felix understood that Christianity was the fulfilling of the Jewish religion, the question being if Jesus was the Messiah. The promise here of Lysias (the guy who wrote the letter and sent Paul to Caesarea) coming and setting the matter to rest would seem to work out for Paul.
Paul is placed under house arrest. So, being in the palace, he doesn't have it too bad and he is protected.
Vs. 24-27 Felix and his wife both listened to Paul, but were never moved to conversion. This reminds me of what it says about Herod listening to John the Baptist gladly, but still killing him. There is a perverse delight in learning about God and His judgment. You feel challenged and guilty and somehow cleansed. And you can still be lost and do what you like. I think this is what Jesus meant when He warned His disciples to beware of the leaven of Herod: the joy of listening and soothing your conscience without conversion.
It is said that Paul came from a wealthy family and therefore Felix's desire to be bribed. If Paul's family still held to the Law, there was no way they'd pay for Paul and there is no way Paul would help himself.
Probably like today, an official leaving office can grant pardons. But there is no pardon for Paul because the ones who were really good to Felix were the Jews.
All of this looks like a victory for Paul's enemies. Paul is not guilty, but the hate and influence of the Jews, coupled with a corrupt politician like Felix kept Paul under house arrest for two years; inactive and ineffectual. Or did they win? And was Paul really inactive and ineffectual? Paul had quite a bit of freedom and had visitors when he wished. Caesarea had a thriving Christian community and a major seaport. All the Christians traveling by sea from Greece or Turkey to Israel would have to land at Caesarea. Philip was there and it's possible that Cornelius was still there. It would have been a great place to do ministry and to make disciples and to teach. If he could look past the "imprisonment" part of this assignment, Paul was now teaching and equipping and being taken care of and being protected. He was exactly where God wanted him.
As disciples, we need to have a very high view of God's sovereignty. If we are victims, we become bitter and ineffectual. If we are humbly following God, we are always where He wants us. God can't lose or be frustrated.
Psalm 4
I have to admit, I've never noticed how these psalms reflect what Paul must have been going through in Acts. Read this imagining what Paul must have been thinking being in jail, having his accusers "victorious," thinking that at least Paul was locked up and there would be no real justice as long as Felix would do them favors.
V. 4 Doesn't this verse sound like Paul's words in Ephesians 4:26 "Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger?" I'll bet this is where Paul got this.
V. 6 Doesn't this verse sound like a good thought for a song?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoYdQa6Cprc
Proverbs 18:16-18
This is an interesting bouquet of verses considering we have Paul being falsely imprisoned and held there by corruption. V. 18 allows the decision to become the Lord's, assuming the "lot" isn't fixed. But then again, if we are following Christ in this dark time of harvest and if God is sovereign, can He really be frustrated by the corruption and designs of men? In Christ, we see and live a different life. 1 Corinthians 2:15 The spiritual man judges (understands) all things, but is himself to be judged (understood) by no one.
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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