I wonder – who got excited this morning when you opened your Bible to 1 Chronicles and began reading the list of names? We read three chapters of names today and are looking forward to reading another six chapters of them in the next couple of days. What would cause a man to sit down and write all those names down? What does it matter? In about 450 BC it must have mattered a great deal to someone. It would seem that the author, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, wanted the Hebrew people to see with their own eyes and hear with their own ears the faithfulness of God.
Chapter one begins with Abraham – quickly moving to Abraham, Isaac, Esau and Jacob (Israel). There seems to be a special focus on the family line of Israel’s son Judah – listing every king who sat on the throne in Jerusalem from the time of David. Every one of those kings can be traced back to David – and it was pointed out that there were still descendants of David alive and well. This was important information to the Hebrew people because God had made a promise to David. In fact, it was more than a promise, it was a covenant. That covenant said that God would make sure that one of David’s sons would always be on the throne of Judah until the Messiah came and established himself as the King of kings and established a kingdom that would never end. This was a message that the Hebrews needed to hear. They had been in captivity in Babylon – their capital city and temple had been destroyed – but God was bringing them back – restoration was beginning to take place – and this writer wants to encourage them that God has been faithful to this point in time so we can count on the fact that the promised Messiah is going to come . . . Soon!
Jesus has made a promise to us!
John 14:1-4
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. [2] In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. [4] You know the way to the place where I am going."
Jesus is coming again. This life and this world are only the beginning. We have a hope that is eternal. And that is part of what this seemingly endless list of names in 1 Chronicles tells us. God is faithful. I love what Solomon said on the day that they dedicated the temple in Jerusalem . . .
1 Kings 8:56
"Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses.
God is faithful!
Suggested Readings To Read Through The Bible In A Year
Thursday July 15, 2010 1 Chronicles 1-3 & Hosea 13
Friday July 16, 2010 1 Chronicles 4-6 & Hosea 14
Saturday July 17, 2010 1Chronicles 7-9 & Song of Solomon 1
Sunday July 18, 2010 1 Chronicles 10-12 & Song of Solomon 2
Monday July 19, 2010 1 Chronicles 13-15 & Song of Solomon 3
Tuesday July 20, 2010 1 Chron. 16-18 & Song of Solomon 4:1-7