2
Chronicles 1-3
Leaving David, Ezra is now showing the people the grandeur
of the temple. As you read over these three chapters, it is fairly easy to
understand the purpose or main subject of each. Enjoy figuring this out.
Think about the purpose of God and Ezra in writing this.
When the returnees came to Jerusalem, they began the work on the temple
immediately; but due to persecution, they let off the work and lost interest.
These chapters, beginning in 1 Chronicles and continued here, are to motivate
the people to continue building and to treasure having God's presence among
them. Eventually, Ezra will show them the point at which God will make a
binding promise to dwell in Zion and in the temple that will continue through
the Millennium. That would be an important reason for them to trust God,
rebuild the temple and hold on to God’s love for that place.
2 Chronicles 1
V. 1 This seems to be the introduction to what we are about
to see. To Solomon’s credit, he took up the torch of his father’s passion for
the temple and for God.
Vs. 2-6 The lavishness of offering 1000 burnt offerings on
the original altar in the tent made in the wilderness must have reflected the
sincerity and desperate desire in Solomon’s heart to receive God’s help.
Vs. 7-13 Solomon’s request was humble, sincere and pretty
short. The Lord on the other hand was willing to bless Solomon as a testimony
to the nations.
Vs. 14-17 I think this is meant to show some of the
greatness God allowed Solomon to have. Ironically, it also showed Solomon’s
ignorance of what God had said. A king was warned not to go to Egypt for
horses. Along with this, you can imagine that Solomon probably had the best
military force on that side of the world. He could have built an empire. But
rather than that, his real purpose is seen in chapter 2.
2 Chronicles 2
Vs. 1-10 Solomon poured all of his energy into organizing
everything to build the temple (and his palaces for his massive number of
wives). Solomon’s desire and energy would have become world news and a relief
to all the surrounding nations. This man was amazingly wise, powerful and rich.
He was a superstar and all he wanted to do was build a temple. It would have
been news.
Vs. 11-12 Hiram was not necessarily a believer, because
everyone believed in many gods, but he did publicly pronounce his amazement and
testimony that God was blessing Israel and Solomon.
Vs. 13-16 So, Tyre as a nation was now working hard for
Solomon and Israel. The wood was not only for the certain things in the temple,
but for transporting the blocks and probably also for Solomon’s houses. The
temple was made of stone blocks, but the inside walls were wood panels overlaid
with gold. Plus, there were lots of wood carvings, which, too, were overlaid
with gold.
Vs. 17-18 Interestingly, Solomon used the people of Israel
as overseers and the resident aliens as forced labor (1Kings 9:20-23). I wonder if he paid well.
One positive thought here is that this wasn’t evil forced labor; it was giving
people jobs. With all of his wealth, Solomon may have been an employer who paid
well. Many people lived from hand to mouth back then, and having a good steady
job would have been welcomed.
2 Chronicles 3
Vs. 1-2 Here is where you see that the place was Mount
Moriah. This mount is only mentioned in one other place in the Bible in Genesis
22:2.
There is a diagram, “The Plan of Solomon’s Temple,” in the Bible
Knowledge Commentary-OT, on p. 500.
Vs. 3-7 This was the main building.
Vs. 8-14 This was the back part of the building, separated
by the veil, and housing the ark of the covenant.
Vs. 15-17 These pillars seem to be Solomon’s idea. Jachin
means “He establishes,” and Boaz means “in Him is strength.”
Romans
6
Take your time reading this chapter and write down lots of
questions. Make observations and be honest to admit that if sin is
"dead," it sure seems pretty alive in us.
V. 1 When Paul asks these rhetorical questions, it is
probably because he has heard similar questions raised before, most likely by
opponents. If and when Paul does quote an opponent, he always answers the
question immediately.
Vs. 2-4 Paul is saying that at conversion we are baptized by
the Spirit into Christ’s death, freeing us from the law, and the Spirit gives
us a new spiritual life. Water baptism is a visual of this burial and rebirth.
I think this is a new thought for the Romans. Paul is stating it in question
form, but now he will explain what he means. Do you "feel" like you
have died to sin? I sure don't. But it is true. You've just got to figure out
what he and the Spirit mean. Paul is going to talk about something that took
place in reality, and he really won't get to the conclusion of this thought
until Romans 8.
Notice how often death with Christ and resurrection with
Christ are mentioned in vs. 3-11.
Vs. 5-11 Notice that the “death” to sin’s power has already
taken place, and Paul points them to the hope of the resurrection, which, of
course, is still future. The body of death and our old nature are both still
present, but the power of sin’s absolute control is broken and can be overcome
with the Spirit. The body will just have to limp along, decaying as it goes.
Now, God could have solved this problem immediately by taking us to heaven at
conversion. The sin nature would be gone and the dying body translated into an
eternal spiritual body. But then, who would be down here to work in the harvest
telling others what Jesus did, rescuing the lost and making disciples. It is no
accident that we are still here, especially when you think that the other
alternative would have been quick and easy for God and for us. For now the
power of sin is broken, and our hope is in the promised resurrection when all
of this decay will be done away with. Admittedly too, there is something God
wants to prove to the principalities and powers through us. So, the drama
continues as God uses us to prove them wrong. And even Israel, as a nation,
will rise up in God’s grace and Christ’s redemption and stick it to them as
Israel reaches the world during the Tribulation, fulfilling their mission and
destiny.
Vs. 12-14 The Spirit’s presence in us, along with the new
spiritual life, enables us to make the choice to follow God. That choice is
important because we still feel the pull of the old nature.
V. 14 This is a key thought. The death to sin is actually
death to the law, meaning that the effect of the law on sin, that allergic,
rebellious reaction, should be gone because we are saved by faith, not by the
law. Being saved by grace through faith means we are dead to the law. We face
God’s love, not law. We respond and follow by being overwhelmed by His love and
grace and kindness in Christ. This is what the Spirit uses. Our obedience is
not out of fear but out of gratitude. The sinful nature, though still alive,
has been given the death sentence. Paul will explain this more in chapter 7.
Vs. 15-23 Read these verses, understanding that the sinful
nature has been judged and neutralized. It can't react to the law, because we
are not under the law. Within us now is a newly created nature that responds to
the love and grace of God in Christ. This isn't the full story. We still
struggle with sin, but we still have two chapters in Romans to understand what
God has done for us in Christ. One interesting note, as you read, is to think
of these closing words in 1 Corinthians 15, The
sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God
who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Notice that it talks about becoming willing slaves. Becoming
slaves of God and slaves of righteousness is still what we do in yielding
ourselves to God. The reality is that now we can do that. The reality is also
that this “slavery” is not optional. In this life, we will always be slaves to
something. Now we have the choice and only a fool would resist the love that
has proven itself by death, to gain our life and freedom.
Vs. 22-23 What a message for those who still don’t know.
Psalm
16
The first verse seems to give an idea of where David was in
his life when he wrote this. He was probably on the run from Saul. He was in
the wilderness with people who were gathering to him. David had nothing to
offer them. There was no pay, no insurance, and no benefits. They didn't even
have TV or computers. David had plenty of nothing. Actually, that's not true.
David had the Lord. David must have written this on a good day, during a good
time on the run, where he understood that the closeness to the Lord was better
than anything he had experienced before. This is what David learned in hardship.
This is why David was a man after God's own heart. You can also sense some of
what Paul says above, echoed in these words.
Vs. 1-3 David’s life was reduced down to what he absolutely
cherished and had to have, and that was the Lord. Actually, the thought of
“slavery” is in this verse, since the word Lord
means someone who has ownership or control over you. Does this sound like joy
in being a slave of God? I think so.
V. 4 So here is the description of those who were still
slaves of the other things, who didn’t even know they were lost or were slaves.
Vs. 5-6 This sounds like David was yielded to God.
Vs. 7-8 David was following God and seeking His way. This
could be like Paul saying that we need to be led by the Spirit and to yield our
members to God’s instructions.
Vs. 9-11 And in all of this, David learned that his true joy
was in God. Being yielded to the Lord brought him deliverance and the kind of
confidence and joy that only comes from learning to trust the Lord in very hard
circumstances. This all kind of sounds like the way Paul ended Romans 6.
Proverbs
19:20-21
You've got to admit. These two verses are a perfect
complement to Psalm 16 and Romans 6.
The first three lines are all relative and only make sense
if the last line is important to us. What is the purpose of the Lord? As disciples that is what we live for.
Many disciples have been smashed on the rocks of their plans and expectations.
God's purpose might be a train wreck. It could be a desert. For Paul and
Barnabas it was a heated argument and a parting of the ways. We tend to listen
to advice that pleases us and define wisdom as what we are doing. We make our
plans and cast our vision and hope that God will bless them. But what is God's
purpose for us, for our time, for our work in the harvest? In submission to
Him, following Christ in the harvest, making disciples, who make disciples, the
list of our expectations and ideas gets smaller, and our joy and contentment
with Christ grows. Living life on earth becomes more about Him and less about us.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year
Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't
work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/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 complete description of this model
of being and making disciples you can find it in my book: Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
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.
Send comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.
If you would like documents containing an entire month
of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download
these to use on your computer or to print.
No comments:
Post a Comment