1 CHRONICLES
MOMENT – (30APR19) 1 Chronicles helps to fill in the missing events that were
not included in the books of Samuel and Kings. It starts out with giving the genealogy
from Adam to Noah and then from Noah to Abraham, which also includes the kings
of Edom. God destroyed the world during the time of Noah because the earth was
full of wickedness introduced by the fallen ones (angels) who slept with human
women resulting in the Nephilim being born, and man’s total disregard for God (Genesis
6:1-8). Therefore, God destroyed the
earth by water with the exception of Noah, his wife and three sons: Shem, Ham,
and Japheth, along with their wives, and some of the animals, and other living creatures
that God allowed onboard the ark. Despite God having cleansed the earth, man
still had wickedness in his heart and later, was made evident through their outright
defiance as Nimrod, the son of Cush, who was a descendant of Ham – a mighty
warrior who is often accredited to being the architect and mastermind behind
the building of the Tower of Babel. 1 Chronicles 1:10 takes a break in its genealogy
list to specifically mention Nimrod. Why is this? There must be some importance
to him being highlighted in this text and it may actually be due to his
possible involvement in the Tower of Babel’s rebellion. The Bible does not
actually name him as such, but Christian scholars have based this on research
that was done archeologically to make this connection. Regardless of if Nimrod
or some other unknown person was the constructor, man has always found the need
to rebel against God.
Even so, we
can see God’s grace and mercy all throughout history. Despite Him destroying
the earth, God gave man a second chance to get things right and yet, we have
failed miserably. We can easily have hindsight in pointing out the mistakes of
generations past, but we seem to never learn from them as the human race. We
tend to think that we know more than God as if we are responsible for our own
creation. Yet, God could have ended the world a long time ago and did not have
to allow the generations to continue, but He loves us so much that He has
allowed the world to remain, so that we may have a chance at salvation.
Nevertheless, probation is coming to a close. God has been patient with man, but
one day, all that we know will cease to be. God will make new heavens and a new
earth. “See, I will
create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17). What a glorious day that will be
when Jesus returns to take His children home. All that we have gone through on
earth will be a thing of the past – never to be repeated or relived again.
Something to ponder…
QUESTION OF
THE DAY – (30APR19) 1 Chronicles 2 lists the sons of Israel which were Reuben,
Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad
and Asher. This chapter goes into their genealogies, but it takes a moment to
mention Judah’s firstborn son being wicked resulting in him receiving the
punishment of death from the Lord. Why is this important? Judah’s firstborn son
died without leaving his wife, Tamar, any children. Consequently, this caused a
chain of events after his death. His brother did not fulfill his duty in reproducing
with Tamar to carry on his brother’s name. Therefore, God killed him as well.
Judah failed to give Tamar his youngest son to reproduce with for fear that he
too would die. This caused her to take measures into her own hands by disguising
herself as a prostitute and sleeping with Judah where she was finally able to
have children – twin boys (Genesis 38).
The author
shows by making mention of Judah’s son being wicked that God wants us to be
obedient to His commands. Yet, we also see His mercy and grace in our lives
because God does not destroy us as quickly as He did in Old Testament times. He
patiently waits for us to turn from our wicked ways and accept Him into our
hearts. We must all ask ourselves the question, “If God were to come to our
names today, would He be able to say, ‘Well done thou good and faithful servant,’
or would He say, ‘Depart from me you worker of iniquity into the fires of
eternal hell and damnation?’ ” What would He say to you? Something to ponder…
1 CHRONICLES
MOMENT – (30APR19) 1 Chronicles 2:7 takes a moment out of is genealogy list to
mention Achar (Achan) who brought trouble on Israel by taking things that were
forbidden. God had given Joshua instructions concerning His plans to give them the
victory over Jericho. These instructions included His warning of punishment for
anyone who would take things for themselves from there because everything was
to be destroyed with the exception of the silver, gold, bronze and iron which
were to go into the Lord’s treasury (Joshua 6:18-19). Achan, from the tribe of
Judah, disobeyed God and caused Israel to be under God’s judgment.
Israel
suffered a military defeat at the hands of their enemies and Joshua did not
understand the reason (Joshua 7). He went before the Lord to get an answer and
the Lord told him that Israel, speaking of Achan, had defied him by taking forbidden
things and placing them with his own possessions. Israel was told to consecrate
themselves in preparation for what the Lord was about to do because Israel was
not going to be able to defeat their enemies until the sin was out of their camp.
They found out that Achan was guilty of taking a robe that had come from
Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold, all of which were
hidden in his tent. Israel stoned Achan and his family as well as burned everything
that he owned including his cattle, donkeys, sheep and stolen items. They were
then able to successfully defeat their enemies.
We find time
and time again that the Lord requires for us to be obedient before Him. He
wants us to honor Him in all that we do and say. God may not have us being
stoned and burned today, but He in no less wants His children to act out of
love in obedience to Him. One day, all who have rejected Him will burn for their
sins, but we have a work to do in helping to spread the Gospel to the lost, and
ensuring that we do not be like Achan in having no regard for God’s commands.
We must not set the wrong example before others – ultimately, causing their destruction
as well. Something to ponder…
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