Jan 16 2014

1 Chronicles, Judah to Levi

1 Chronicles chapter 2 begins with the 12 children of Jacob (Israel). It quickly begins to focus in on Judah, as this is the tribe of David, and it continues doing so in chapter 3 and chapter four all the way through to verse 23. Chapter 2 is a genealogy of David, and chapter 3 is a record of the descendants of David all the way up through the post-exilic period in which the Chronicles are written.

English: English translation of hebrew version. Map of the twelve tribes of Israel, before the move of Dan to the North (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chapter four then continues the genealogy of the other clans of the tribe of Judah until we reach verse 23. The rest of the fourth chapter is a record of the tribe of Simeon. Simeon is probably chosen next because its territory resided within the borders of Judah. In fact, it had largely been swallowed up by Judah, but there was still a genealogical and tribal identification that most Simeonites would hold on to.

Chapter five records the genealogy of the Trans-jordanian tribes – Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Although the tribes had been virtually wiped out by the Assyrian invasion in the eighth century B.C., there were still those who identified with these tribes. Verses 18-22 record an important victory in battle that occurred before the exile that we do not have recorded anywhere else in the Bible. It accentuates that they were still God’s people and the text says that “many fell, because the war was of God.”

Chapter six a is a very long chapter. It was especially important to get this genealogy just right, as this was about the tribe of Levi. Since the Levites were not allotted their own territory, it was also important to document various tribal territories where different Levite clans were settled, and what they were given in those areas. Verse 28 identifies the prophet Samuel as a Kohathite.

(This year’s reading plan for Luke, Acts, and 1 and 2 Chronicles averages just 15 verses per day – 5 days per week!)
Schedule for this week
Read or listen to audio of today’s selection from Luke here
Read or listen to audio of today’s selection from 1 Chronicles here

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility. When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.

Jan 12 2014

The Events of the Days

The Books of I and II Chronicles, like Kings and Samuel, were originally one book. The Hebrew title for the book (“Dibre Hayyamim“) is often translated “The events (or annals) of the days.” We like the fact that the Septuagint calls it “the things omitted,” as that seems the very best description – for it contains much that Samuel and Kings do not. But the overriding message throughout the book is the faithfulness of God to his covenant with His people through the house of David.

English: Table of nations according to genesis 10 Nederlands: Volkerenlijst naar genesis 10 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1 Chronicles 3:17-24 contains the names of a list of descendants of David that is at least 5 generations beyond the exile, and so it seems reasonable to date the beginning of the writings to at least 400 B.C., and possibly a few decades afterward. With the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar, the Davidic kingdom was overthrown, and there was no longer a nation of Judah. Babylon, however, fell to the Persians in 538 B.C., and after the decree of Cyrus, the returning exiles (with much help from Ezra and Nehemiah) eventually got the temple rebuilt, as well as the walls around Jerusalem. But where did that leave God’s people if there was no more monarchy of David’s house? What was God’s plan, and where did that leave the covenant made to David in 2 Samuel 7?

This is the main purpose of the Book of Chronicles – to reinforce faith in the promise of the Davidic throne through a clear and precise record of the nation’s history from the perspective of the remnant of the southern kingdom and its rulers. As the book was written, a start in rebuilding had been made in the temple and in Jerusalem, but the people must not repeat the mistakes of the past. And so those who had not been there must learn all about it.

The genealogy of the first nine chapters of 1 Chronicles begins in verses 1-3 of chapter one – from Adam to Noah and his three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japeth. From here, it begins to read very much like what we know now as “The Table of Nations” in Genesis 10. Verses 5-24 give us the sons of each of Noah’s sons, etc. down to Abraham, and thus the names of nations – many of which are very familiar to us now through geography, history, and other biblical reference, such as Canaan, Egypt, Cush, and Uz (from Job).

Verses 28-54 give us the generations from Abraham to Jacob (Israel), but only Jacob’s brother Esau is the focus of the genealogical record from verse 35 onward in this chapter. Jacob’s descendants will be covered at great length beginning in chapter 2. These 29 verses are all devoted to the nation of Edom, which Esau fathered, many of which would be bitter enemies with Israel and Judah in times to come.

(This year’s reading plan for Luke, Acts, and 1 and 2 Chronicles averages just 15 verses per day – 5 days per week!)
Schedule for this week

/Bob’s boy

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog. All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility. When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.

Dec 29 2013

Malachi – The Messenger

Malachi is the last book in our arrangement of the Old Testament, the last of the “minor prophets,” and the last time God will talk to His people through them for about 400 years – when he sends His son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to fulfill His plan of salvation for us. The name translates to “my messenger” but some believe it may be the shortened form of “Malachiah,” which means “messenger of the Lord.” Since there is some foreshadowing of the arrival of John the Baptist (as in Malachi 3:1, which says “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me”), some consider it word-play on the prophet’s name.

Some estimates of the date are about 460 B.C., making him a contemporary of Ezra and Nehemiah. The temple reconstruction was completed about 516 B.C., and the time was after that, as Malachi 1:10, 3:1, and 3:8-10 clearly allude to an existing temple. But the date may actually be a bit later than that, as the times were somewhat different. The good news is that God’s people finally seem to be rid of the scourge of idolatry here. The bad news is that they are spiritually weak, if not practically dead. They were apathetic toward their worship, and insulted the Lord with their offerings of lame and diseased animals (Malachi 1:6-8).

John the Baptist preaches in the wilderness, preparing people for Jesus’ coming as the Messiah — Matthew 3: 1-12.

But that is just the beginning of the things that Malachi points out for which the people need to repent. They are divorcing their wives to marry foreign women – again disregarding the law given against doing so (Deuteronomy 7:1-6). Malachi 3:6-12 speaks of how they are robbing God by not honoring their tithes. And one thing certainly had not changed. The people were still plagued by bad leadership, for the priests were to blame for much of this – and they are certainly addressed and rebuked throughout he book. Malachi’s message from the Lord is that He demands real worship – not simply going through the motions, as they were doing. It was time for God’s people to step up and serve the Lord as their part of the covenant demanded.

Malachi 4:1 warns of the coming judgment for those who continue to show disrespect, indifference, and disregard for the Lord’s will. Both chapter 3 and 4 promise the coming of the Lord’s messenger – named as Elijah the prophet, but clearly a reference to John the Baptist – to “prepare the way.”

/Bob’s boy

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image © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Dec 22 2013

Prophet of Hope – Zechariah

Zechariah (fresco by Michelangelo) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Book of Zechariah begins in the first verse with the word of the Lord coming to this prophet in the eighth month of the second year of Darius’s reign. This is October/November of 520 B.C., and places it between Haggai 2:1 and 2:10. Zechariah was a priest. The text tells us that he was the grandson of Iddo, who was one of the Levitical priests that came back from Babylon with Zerubbabel, the grandson of king Jehoiachin (Nehemiah 12:1-4).

Zechariah is sometimes referred to as the prophet of hope. The people had been back from captivity for twenty years. Taxes were high, especially in light of Darius’s preparations for his campaign against Egypt. Jerusalem was far from restored – in fact, the people felt like they were nothing on the world’s “stage.” The temple foundation had been started shortly after their return, but the effort had stalled due to opposition. Discouragement ruled the day, and the only thing to do seemed to be to just try to get by in the best ways that one could.

Zechariah’s vision of the four horsemen (Zechariah 6:1-8), engraving by Gustave Doré. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

That is where Zechariah comes in, letting the people know that despite adversity from hostile enemies, they must remain faithful because God is in control. He was in control of everything before, during, and after captivity. He is in control of what is happening now, and He is in control of what will come to pass. The book is full of apocalyptic visions and oracles that read much like the apocalyptic literature that would come to be so popular, and filled with language and symbolism that would be very meaningful to the people of the times.

The first six chapters are a series of eight night visions that we could spend several pages discussing. They are a combination of reassurances of God’s favor for His people and of Messianic promise – restoring the covenant and the house of David. Chapter 7 takes up two years after these night visions, dealing with all of the fasting that the people are doing. The Lord has not commanded them to do so much fasting. What He wants from the people is for them to return to faithfulness and live by His commandments.

Concluding with chapters 9-14, various future events are addressed – at the forefront are God’s coming judgment on the nations that oppressed them and much emphasis on the coming Messiah. There is much encouragement in these chapters, but also warning – God has had more than enough of idolatry and wicked leadership! The future looks good indeed, but it depends on their faithfulness.

/Bob’s boy

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image © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Dec 20 2013

Psalm 150 – Everything That Has Breath

Psalm 150 is the final chapter of the Book of Psalms, closing out Book 5; and as such, it servers as the final doxology. It is, of course, also the last of the “Hallelujah Psalms,” beginning and ending with “Praise the Lord!” That is indeed what each of the six short verses are about; and we will let them speak for themselves – as they do quite adequately.

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens!

Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness!

Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!

Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!

Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Dec 19 2013

Job 42 – The Lord Rebukes Job’s Friends

This closing chapter of the Book of Job begins with Job confessing to the Lord that he knows God’s power, His knowledge, and the inevitability of His will, and he repents. Then the Lord turns to Eliphaz and rebukes him (along with Bildad and Zophar) for wrongly speaking about Him. He then requires a sacrifice from them, and states that Job will pray for them because of their folly – it is Job’s prayer only that He will accept on their behalf. This is as much an endorsement of Job as a rebuke for them. The book concludes with Job’s fortunes turning completely around, as God blessed him with great wealth, much in the way of possessions, and 10 more children. Then it says that God blessed him with a very long life.

As we conclude the reading of this great book, it should be noted that it is characterized somewhat incorrectly by most people, in our opinion. Many say that the book of Job is all about the question of why there is pain and suffering in the world. But we do not believe this is the case. Note that at no time did God explain to Job anything about His conversation with the devil. Nor did He state any type of regret to Job or indeed, offer any explanation of suffering whatsoever.

We believe that this book is mostly about teaching us how wrong it is to assume bad things about others without having good reason. Man tends to be harshly judgmental of others, often at the worst times or in the most inappropriate circumstances. It also serves to teach us how to cope with the pain and trials of a life that can often be unfair – and to know that those who fear the Lord will come through it all to a much better end. That is the promise of Job, and it is the promise of God, through the sacrifice of His son, our Lord Jesus the Christ. He is our “mediator” (Job 9:33, Hebrews 4:14-16).

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Dec 18 2013

Psalm 71- When My Strength Is Spent

This is one traditional place of David’s tomb. The other is on Mount Zion, in Jerusalem, on the first floor of the same building where one traditional site of the Upper Room is on the second floor. In Jacob’s time, it was called Ephrath, which meant “fruitful.” Jacob buried his favorite wife Rachel there after she gave birth to Benjamin. After the conquest of the Promised Land, it was called Bethlehem-judah (Ruth 1: 1). Famine drove Elimelech and Naomi from Bethlehem to Moab, where their sons married Ruth and Orpah. When all three husbands died, Ruth returned to Bethlehem with Naomi and gleaned in the fields of Boaz. She and Boaz married, and their great-grandson was David. In his childhood, David cared for the sheep of his father Jesse in the fields of Bethlehem, possibly the same fields where his great-grandmother Ruth gleaned. A thousand years later, Jesus was born in Bethlehem and angels announced His birth to shepherds caring for their sheep in the fields near there. These fields have become known as The Shepherds’ Fields.

The Hebrew text for this psalm has no superscription or title. The Septuagint, the Vulgate, and others have it as “by David, a song sung by the sons of Jonadab, and the first that were taken captive.” Many commentators do take the position that it was probably written by David in his old age. The inclusion of the fact that it was sung by the sons of Jonadab and by the first of those taken captive is somewhat puzzling, but must have had some historical significance at the time the superscription was added. The sons of Jonadab (the Rechabites) are the subject of Jeremiah 35 for their faithfulness to their father’s command.

It is a song of lament, easily fitting for anyone who is weak and in distress. it is easy to see why the captives would sing this psalm, as it both cries out for help in a dire situation and when one feels helpless:

“forsake me not when my strength is spent…
O God, be not far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!…
I will hope continually
and will praise you yet more and more.
My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
of your deeds of salvation all the day,
for their number is past my knowledge.”

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Dec 17 2013

Proverbs 31 – The Last Chapter

The last chapter of the book of Proverbs is considered by many to be like an appendix, as it is very different from any previous chapter. For our full comments on this chapter concerning the “Excellent Wife,” please see this previous post.

Our time this year in the Wisdom Literature is coming to a close, and this is it for the Book of Proverbs. Though we went through the entire book twice, we still covered only a small portion of the verses. We hope you will spend more time in this wonderful book. If you have not seen it already, please take time to read this post with helpful tips for reading this book of wisdom.

As for this chapter, we would like to leave you with this thought. If you find a good godly woman, hold on to her with all your love and honor. If you are a good godly woman, thank you. It is you and others like you that make our children grow up right, and it is you that make our men better men. With respect to that, we salute you with the final words of this book:

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Dec 16 2013

Psalm 147 – He Sends Out His Word

Carrying Branches To Make Booths (illustration from the 1897 Bible Pictures and What They Teach Us by Charles Foster) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Of the five final “Hallelujah Psalms,” Psalm 147 is the longest, though only 20 verses itself. The psalmist is unknown, as is the occasion that it was written. Some have supposed that it was during the Feast of Tabernacles – mainly due to verse 14’s reference possibly to harvest. The references to the building up of Jerusalem may mean that it was written after the captivity (along with verse 2’s “he gathers the outcasts of Israel.”

As a song of praise, it speaks in general terms of all the wonderful things God does in this world to care for man and even for the animals. But the bulk of the praise is for all that God has done for His chosen people. The psalm closes out in verses 18-20 with verses about the power of His word and how God has entrusted them with keeping it for all:

He sends out his word, and melts them;
he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.

He declares his word to Jacob,
his statutes and rules to Israel.

He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
they do not know his rules.
Praise the Lord!

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Dec 15 2013

Restoring God’s House – Haggai

The biblical prophet Haggai. Woodcut from the Nuremberg Chronicle (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On most of the occasions in scripture that we read of a prophet who had been preaching to God’s people about a particular subject, that prophet finds little good to come from the recipients of that preaching. A notable exception was Nineveh’s repentance when Jonah gave them God’s warning – but Jonah wasn’t exactly thrilled about that response, was he? Haggai and Zechariah are two exceptions that stand alone – at least as far as the rebuilding of the temple is concerned.

Haggai begins with reference to “the second year of Darius,” and that historically sets this book in the year 520 B.C. Chapter 1:1 gives us “the first day of the 6th month,” which makes the starting date of this book August 29, 520 B.C. It just doesn’t get any better than that with biblical dating. In fact, we get 5 such exact accounts of dates from Haggai. Just 24 days after Haggai’s first message, the people start work on the temple on September 21, 520 B.C. (Haggai 1:15 – the 24th day of the sixth month). Haggai 2:1 occurs in “the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month,” which is October 17, 520 B.C. Haggai 2:10 and 2:20 both happened on “the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month,” which is December18, 520.

Per the decree of Cyrus, the people began returning from captivity in 538 B.C. They started working on the temple in 537, but that ceased in 536 due to opposition (see Ezra 3:1-4:5). The work had been left unfinished for 18 years when the Book of Haggai begins. The reign of Cyrus the Great ended about 530 B.C. When his son Cambyses died in 522, a general, Darius I, rose to power in his place.

Haggai and Zechariah were present at the rebuilding of the Temple of God during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, after the return from exile.
The Medo-Persian Empire included the lands of Media and Persia, much of the area shown on this map and more. The Jewish exiles were concentrated in the area around Nippur in the Babylonian province. The decree by King Cyrus that allowed the Israelites to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple was discovered in the palace at Ecbatana.

Haggai picks up in verse one of the first chapter where Ezra 5:1 makes mention of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, as it was after Haggai’s message that the temple construction was re-started. Then came Tattenai’s letter to Darius to try and stop the rebuilding. But the elders did not stop while they were waiting for the letter to reach him (Ezra 5:3-17). It was Darius’s decree (Ezra 6) that ensured the temple would be completed.

It was God’s will, of course, that ensured Darius would make such a decree. God called Haggai to move the people to action because they were stalled in completing the work of rebuilding the temple. Some form of “thus says the Lord” occurs 19 times in 38 verses, and the words”Lord of hosts” occurs 14 times, illustrating God’s sovereignty. Haggai’s message has them examine their situations and their lack of prosperity (Haggai 1:5-7, 2:15-19) in light of the work they had left unfinished. In chapter 2, the Lord (through Haggai) spoke to Zarubbabel, (who was in the line of David as the grandson of Jehoiachin) and Joshua, the High Priest.

The Lord intended to re-establish His people in their land, along with the house of David (Haggai 2:23). He had promised to bless the world through them (Haggai 2:9). There was a coming Messiah to prepare for. It was time to go to work!