1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17 + Acts 23:11-35 + Psalm 3:1-8 + Proverbs 18:14-15
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Old Testament - Today we begin the book of First Chronicles! Let's Go!
~First Chronicles~
Author: Unknown
Date: Fifth century B.C.
Content: First and Second Chronicles form one book in the Hebrew Bible and are written from a priest’s point of view. In this way they supplement the Book of Kings, which were written from a prophet’s point of view. First Chronicles begins with a series of genealogies that record the family histories of David the king and the descendants of Levi the priest. This is followed by the death of Saul and the reign of David, with special emphasis being placed upon the religious affairs of the nation. It closes with Solomon’s being made king.
Theme: Because First Chronicles was written from a priestly point of view, many details about Judah’s religion are given to supplement the history found in the Book of Kings. The stress is upon the supreme importance of worshiping God and the positive effect that has upon the life of a nation. God blesses those nations that trust in him. The mention of so many unfamiliar names, while seemingly irrelevant, actually shows that God forgets no one. Those who go to their graves unknown by men are personally remembered by God. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 7) More commentary on First Chronicles is at this link.
(image courtesy of IronOrchid Photo Clipart)
Bible Project: Here is a terrific video overview of 1st Chronicles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR7xaHv3Ias
Today in First Chronicles chapter 1 we begin a genealogy that will take us through to chapter 9. I know you may have the temptation to skim or skip these genealogy readings, but I encourage you to read them! They are fascinating if you really take the time to read through them. You will notice, for example, that most of today's genealogies come from the book of Genesis. The author of Chronicles is essentially writing this genealogy for the nation of Israel, after their return from Babylonian exile. The Chronicler is taking the nation of Israel back to Adam - to very creation! - to demonstrate God's care for the Israelites since the creation of humankind. You will also notice in today's genealogies that the Chronicler is paying special attention to the tribe of Judah from whence King David will come. This genealogy from Abraham to Judah to David ultimately leads to Jesus, as we can read in the 1st chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. Are you enjoying reading genealogies in the Bible? Why or why not? The genealogy in Matthew is sometimes illustrated by a "Jesse Tree" showing the lineage of Jesus from Jesse, father of King David:
New Testament - Our readings in Acts today open up with a very encouraging word to Paul from Jesus in verse 11 - "That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, "Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have told the people about me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome."" That is awesome that this occurred in the midst of all of Paul's trials and imprisonment. Jesus was there with him. How about in our lives today - think Jesus is always with us? Is there any circumstance you can find yourself in that Jesus won't be there? Is there anywhere on this earth you can go where Jesus won't be there?
An interesting note on verses 12 & 13 in today's readings - "The next morning a group of Jews got together and bound themselves with an oath to neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. There were more than forty of them." It is believed by some scholars that these 40 men may have been part of the Zealots - the group that later led the revolt against Rome in A.D. 66-70.
Paul is taken to Governor Felix at the end of today's readings in Acts. Felix is in the same position that Pontius Pilate was. I find it kind of interesting that both Jesus and Paul were brought before the same-positioned Roman ruler. It reminds me of Jesus' words in John 15 verse 20 to his disciples - "Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." If Jesus was brought before a Roman governor, it's no surprise that Paul was too. I think you and I should remember Jesus' words in the Gospel of John as well. I know oftentimes we don't seem persecuted at all - maybe most of the time really. But, I think we need to remember, it can happen. If we are truly living our faith and truly following Jesus, persecution will come in some form or another. No servant is greater than his master... Have you ever been persecuted for your faith? Are you willing to be persecuted for your faith?
Psalms - Psalm 3 is a wonderful Psalm of David's, when he was fleeing his own son Absalom - details of which we read about earlier this year. Verse 5 stood out to me today: "I lay down and slept. I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me." God watches over us as we sleep! I like that a lot! I hope this verse comforts you as you sleep tonight! Have you ever seen any correlation in how well (or not well) you sleep and where you are spiritually with the LORD?
Proverbs - Today in Proverbs 18 verse 15 we read – “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.” Are you acquiring knowledge in your life today? Are you actively seeking out knowledge in your life through a "quiet time" with the Bible every day? Why would you want to acquire knowledge? Do you realize that acquiring knowledge may compel you to change many of your current behavior patterns? Are you prepared to change? Do you believe that reading, studying, and reflecting upon the Bible will bring you godly knowledge? Will you then allow your life and behavior and heart to be transformed by this godly knowledge?
Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the terrific CeCe Winans song, “Believe For It:”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd24fpsF1Qw
Do you believe God? Click here to Believe in Him!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. " Psalm 3:5 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you will sleep deeply tonight, knowing that the LORD is sustaining you while you sleep. Pray for great rest and sleep in your life, resting in your saving relationship with Jesus.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 - I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
Two things caught my eye in today’s read, the kings of Edom (1:43-50) did not rule by generational succession, and Judah’s middle son (2:3) is not mentioned as also having had his life “taken” by God (Genesis 38:9-10), I wonder why?
Family values are all over the place in this listing. David’s sisters, Zeruiah, and Abigail gave birth to four warriors, Abishai, one of the Mighty Men of Valor, the text states he was the most famous one (II Sam 23:19); Joab was David’s general, however he is not listed as one of the men of Valor. The third son of Zeruiah was Asahel also one of the Mighty Men but he was killed by Saul’s general and cousin Abner (II Sam 2:20-30), who was latter killed by Joab (II Sam 3:27). Then latter, after Absalom was killed by Joab, the son he of Abigail, Amasa, who became Absalom’s general is killed by his cousin, Joab (II Sam 20:10).
Family get togethers or reunions must have been a real blow out with this in this family.
Acts 23:111-35
When things don’t go smoothly we have the tendency to think we are in sin, but it just could be we are in the will of God and that is why the heat is being turned up. Paul’s life is an example for us that difficult circumstances, dangerous situations and hostile people may not be about us doing the wrong thing but about us being on the right rode. If Paul had not been locked up in prison so much we would not have the letters he wrote to the churches and to Timothy, Titus and Philemon.
Psalm 3:1-8
Interesting that David wrote this after his son Absalom sought to kill him while wresting the throne away from his father. Did David write this before or after Absalom death? Either way David knew who to turn too and because he trusted God he did not miss out on his necessary rest, sleep.
Proverbs 18:14-15
15 Intelligent people are always open to new ideas. In fact, they look for them.
I’ve read this but never saw this. So often people who have done great things, great teachers who have taught for a couple of decades, hold onto the things that first made them great and we think, “They were fabulous, intelligent, and wise all those years ago, so they must know what they are talking about now despite them not keeping up with new discovers and methodologies. Yet this proverb states intelligence continually looks for and is open to things that are new.
I’ve heard this saying and have used and applied it to my life and in counseling others.
“When change is necessary failure to change is destructive.”
Change can only come about when new information is presented and accepted.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
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Interesting that in today's readings, both the Psalmist and Paul are surrounded by enemies.
In both cases their confidence is in the Lord, not their own strength or resources to overcome their adversories.
It's good to know that whatever comes against us; he who is in us is greater! (1Jn 4:4)
Chris
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Truly there's a comfort to feeling Jesus is there with you no matter where you are.Reading through Acts,I feel like God keeps telling me that on the straight and narrow there won't always be showers of blessings....there'll be persecution,grief,battles.....May we keep going on the straight and narrow in spite of all distractions.
God bless you all
Anka
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I agree with Mike about the genealogies that it shows that God forgets no one. It also struck me this morning as reassurance of the reliability of God's word. So many names in the genealogy that are recorded nowhere else, and yet they are part of the history of people that make up God's story. They were real people in real families with real children and real struggles. God's word is real.
Micah Girl
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amen Micah girl, GODs Word is real... And it sharpens us.... and nourishes us... and makes us better servants as we apply its truths and incorporate it into our lives...
John
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1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:5-6 KJV)
Mercy-unmerited favor: from Medieval Latin merced-, merces, from Latin, price paid, wages, from merc-, merx merchandise
1 a : compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power;
As I read through the names, names easy to pronounce and those that are just---hard names, the subject of God’s mercy crosses my mind. It’s like getting a salary of $10,000 for the day and you were lazy and did nothing and the one giving you your payment, knows it. Every breath we take, every day we are alive mercy is poured out upon us. Even the wicked is shown mercy by God. They are given time to repent and make a 180 degree turn from their sins. I have been shown mercy over and over again and I am humbled, in awe, in praise and in a state of disbelief that the goodness of God overlooks my sin and sees me through the filter of His Son, Jesus. MERCY!
For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23 AMP)
Grace and peace,
Ramona
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Hey i've been struggling to focus when i have tired to read my bible and i know how important it is to have quiet time and give the Lord my first fruits of time during the day, but it's bewen hard and i've made the choices to be too lazy. So today i got up and i knew that all your commentaries would be interesting so thatnks for doing what you do. keep up the good work. !
-Evan
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We are entering a new book. Hooray! Even though I have never read the whole book of Chronicles, I am curious to see what it entails.
The verse from todays study that most interested me was:
19"..... the name of the one was Peleg; because in his days the earth was divided."
I love to study God's creation and this verse mentions the days when the separation of the continents occurred..I had studied that the days of the separation were called the days of Peleg, But I never knew that this came from the Bible. So as you see I was fascinated to read about it.
Hope you had a great 4th of July. God bless you!:-)
Carmen
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What is so evident as we finish Kings and then begin Chronicles is Gods unwillingness to let his people go. He finds in our human brokeness time and time again a way to bring us out and lead us forward. These instruments come from the most unlikely sources and they unaccomplish unexpected triumphs. Faithfulness is power.
Thank you Ramona for your words.
Jen
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Hello Mike and other OYB people :) I definitely see the correlation between a restful, peaceful sleep and my relationship/obedience to God.
It is fact when I have done things that are not good my sleep is disturbed. This is a fact.
Billy
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Having gone deaf more than 20 years ago you don't know how thrilled I was to click on the YouTube link and see that the message was captioned. I've been doubly blessed today - first by the reading of this morning's daily devotion and second by being able to read the message presented on YouTube. Thank you Lord for all your blessings!
Pat
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This blog and OYB have been a real blessing to me over the past several years. Thanks to all who make it possible and thank you Lord.
Alan
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Thank you so much for your ministry, you are a blessing to me, my daughter and my sister who are faithful followers.
God bless you with his very best.
Jeannie
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Reading Chronicles always encourages me that God is in everything. He is in and cares about the details of our lives and He KNOWS our name! Like the woman at the well...she was a broken woman. Also, a Samaritan that did not associate with Jews. But, here comes Jesus walking directly to her and (being the son of God) told her about her life, with compassion with compassion. And, her life is changed! (John 4:4–26).
Imja
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Thankful God knows our name. Ordinary people can be used in extraordinary ways by God. Let's be those people!
Sam
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Good morning! Wow new chapter today and book! 1 Chronicles. I love having read through the Bible this year and see names I recognize and it makes more sense and understanding of geneol9gy.
Acts Paul..love his mission and purpose fulfilled and Jesus speaking to him and confirming his assignment for Rome.
Psalm 3- dur8ng or after Absoloms life and David seeking comfort in arms of his Savior and asking for peace and protection while he sleeps.
Proverbs 18..I feel like people are skeptical of change. Change is eminent to see growth. We need to be constantly be growing and not be stagnant. When you think you know it all is when you get prideful, they becomes your destruction.
Dee