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1 Kings continued…

1 and 2 Chronicles

After reading through 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings only to find 1 and 2 Chronicles, it is fair to ask the question “what is the use of reading yet another set of books on the history of Israel and its kings?” It is important to see, however, that the Chronicles are not simply a regurgitation of the history that was already recorded. The book of Chronicles was written to remind the nation of their entire history (from Adam right through to the Fall of Jerusalem) and of their position among other nations. It emphasizes the history of the priestly worship and, importantly, the relationship of the kings to the true worship of God. (Because of this, the Northern Kingdom does not even rate a mention.)

In exploring the writer’s message, it important we think about who the Chronicler is writing to. They are those who have survived the exile and endured this punishment God has dished out to His people. They are people who can now look back and assess their history and begin to ask themselves the fundamental questions: What went wrong? Can we return? Where to from here? As such, Chronicles has a great message: no matter how low the people of God sink, there is always a way back, through repentance, to God’s favour.

Don’t get drowned in the genealogies! They are there to show that the promises and purposes of God continue.

Key reflection questions:

  • David and Solomon feature in nearly half the chapters of 1 and 2 Chronicles. What do you think the Chronicler wants us to learn from the examples of these two ‘stars’ of Chronicles?
  • 2 Chronicles: What is the encouraging principle the writer repeatedly reminds us about how a sinful people can return to God?

Ezra

The book of Ezra follows on seamlessly from 2 Chronicles. It charts the slow, shaky, but promising progress God’s people make in returning to their promised land and re-establishing themselves. The Temple lay in ruins, and it clearly reflects the people’s religious degradation of as well. That the Temple is the ‘first brick laid’ in the new city says so much about the lessons the people of Judah have learned from the past. Whilst there are no mind-blowing miracles on offer in the book of Ezra, and the building project is dogged by political red-tape, the message is loud and clear: God is still behind His people, despite all that has happened.

Key reflection questions:

  • The Israelites would have been wondering if their rebellion to the covenant and their exile spelt an end to their special relationship with God. How does the book of Ezra answer their concerns?
  • Is rebuilding the temple really going to solve the worship and obedience problems they have? What is the real solution?

Esther

Esther is an entertaining story about how a Jewish girl far from her homeland became the queen of Persia and saved her people from plans to destroy them. Despite God not even being mentioned in the entire book, it is clear He is everywhere ‘behind the scenes’ blessing and protecting His people, even when they are in exile.

Key reflection questions:

  • What indications are there that God is working ‘behind the scenes’ in this story?
  • What does the book of Esther say to us as we struggle against Christian oppositon in our lives?
  • What does the book say to us about God’s commitment to His people?

Job

The book of Job is set on two stages: one in heaven, one on earth. The tension of this book is that Job, the main character, can see only the earthly stage which he is on and does not understand the goings on in heaven. (Only we the readers have the privileged position of seeing how the heavenly stage influences the earthly one.) The writer seems to be using our two-stage perspective to explore the issue of how believers live before their God when they do not fully know how and why He does the things He does.

Satan has a theory that believers only follow God for the blessings He gives them and challenges God to remove these blessings from God’s righteous servant Job to prove His point. Whilst enduring this suffering Job’s friends offer another theory, that suffering follows sin, and blessings follow obedience. By the end of the book both of these theories are shot down in flames. Job certainly grows in bitterness and frustration through the ordeal, (and at no point does he understand what God is doing to Him or why,) and yet Job still remains trusting in God. He disproves Satan’s theory and, once restored, shows his friend’s theory to be defunct. Job shows that trusting God does not ultimately require a total understanding His ways. Because of this, the book of Job is not simply a book about suffering (as so many believe) ultimately it is a book about the nature of faith in a sovereign God whose ways we don’t always understand.

The various speeches of Job and his friends can make you a little dizzy and disorientated, so be sure to keep your eye on who is speaking at any one time, and the main theory the 3 friends are insisting on.

Key reflection questions:

  • How should we view the ups and downs of life?
  • What then is true wisdom for the believer?

Proverbs

From the world of unpredictability in the book of Job, Proverbs highlights the order present in the world. Proverbs is not simply about the application of Newtownian physics, it really focuses in on the moral order that rules the universe. It links good and bad with reward and penalty. Throughout the book, the view is presented that all people fall into two basic identities. Both are known by their habits or ‘fruits’, and also their fitting ends. The proverbs cover a huge range of subjects from relationship and parenting advice, to how you use your tongue, to your work ethic.

Chapters 1-8 really set up the ultimate choice by way of an illustration: a father calling his son to say no to the temptation of the adulteress and instead to embrace the true wisdom that comes from his instruction.

Key reflection questions:

  • Do these proverbs shine a light on any areas of your life where you are high in folly but low in wisdom?
  • If this world has so much order lurking below the surface, what does that say about the God who created it?