Read 1
Chronicles 3-5 & John
8:1-20
To discover:
As you read consider again why the
particular details are included.
To ponder:
Here we see the line of David
stretching way beyond the exile, showing the book must have been completed some
time after, and that the everlasting kingdom
of David was still being looked
for. Indeed, the focus seems so caught up with this, that the only mention of
the exile is that Jehoiachin was a “captive” (3v17). Moreover, as in chapter 2,
the tribe of Judah
is also given prominence, as the one God promised would rule. It was from Judah
that a ruler over the nations was to come (Gen 49v8-10). Perhaps there is a
lesson here about eagerly looking in hope for the return of Christ, rather than
back to what the church once was.
The
spiritual concern that should mark God’s people is highlighted by Jabez’s
prayer. Just as he was “more honourable” than his brothers, so we should seek
to be set-apart by a godly concern. His name sounds like the Hebrew for pain,
explaining why he prayed as he did. But his prayer is a model of what God’s
people might have prayed for themselves. They should have looked to God to bless
them, to enlarge their territory so they took and kept their promised land, and
to “be with” them and so keep them from harm and pain at the hands of the
nations around them. Just as God “granted” Jabez’s request, he was ready to
hear the same prayer for Israel
and Judah. And
he will hear its equivalent from us, as we pray for him to bless, expand, be
with and protect his church. Indeed, as individuals we can pray he would bless
us, grant us more of his Spirit, and so be with and guard us against the evil
one until the last day.
Just
as we noted the inclusion of Gentiles yesterday as a symptom of the people’s
compromise, we might note today that at the same time this also showed God’s
readiness for Gentiles to join his people - as if by adoption (4v18). Another
noticeable detail is the stress on creativity (4v14, 21, 23). This was perhaps
because of the importance of craftspeople in serving the king (4v23), and
perhaps also in serving the work of the temple, where linen was used in the
priestly garments. Our creativity is to be used in service of Christ and his
church.
The
smaller population of a Simeonite clan is explained by one descendent having
few children (4v27). Nevertheless, God’s hand is seen by them receiving their
portion of Canaan, the LORD then “greatly increasing”
their number, and them later settling in a particularly good part of land and “completely
destroying” its inhabitants together with some Seirites and Amalekites (partially
fulfilling Numbers 24v18-20). As with David and Christ, God often achieves much
through those that seem the weakest. This should encourage the smaller church
or struggling family.
We
are again urged to prayer by the note that the tribes on the east of the Jordan
defeated their enemies because they “cried out” and so “trusted” God in battle.
Nevertheless, despite being famous and brave warriors, those of the half-tribe
of Mannasseh in particular became unfaithful, turning from God to the gods of
the land. So God “stirred” the Assyrian king, who took them into exile with the
Gadites and Reubenites. Whatever fame or success one might achieve in the eyes
of the world, the LORD looks for faithfulness. Without this, all else will come
to nothing.
Praying it home:
Praise God that he continues to
hear and answer those who cry out to him in faith. Pray for your own prayer
life and that of your family and church.
Thinking further:
None today.
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