Day 119 – 1 Chronicles 7-10

Talking Points

• In these chapters, we find the Chronicler’s completion of the genealogies. Again, we see the importance of the historical account of God’s work among His people in making legitimate Jesus’ claim to be the promised Messiah of God. It is not random. Dates matter. Facts matter. Lineages matter. Historical references must add up if Jesus, the carpenter’s Son from Nazareth, is truly God’s salvation.
• As previous chapters have told of the exile of the northern tribes, now the formerly unthinkable captivity of Judah is reported. Because of their disobedience, God’s judgment is upon them, and even the people living in the city of God are taken away.
• The lineage of Saul is reported. His defeat and death are described again — a sad testimony to the effects of sin. Saul, the first king of God’s people, takes his own life as the battle fell around him.
• Starting in 9:2, we read of the return to and repossessing of Jerusalem, highlighting a theme that will echo throughout Scripture and will land at the gospel: God’s judgment is always tempered by His grace. If God’s people will seek Him, there is always the promise of restoration.

Thoughts

The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to people. Simply, we know who God is by what He reveals. Here is a hard question: What if the God we find revealed doesn’t match the image we like?

In these verses, God tells us He is responsible for the death of Saul (10:13-14). It plainly states, “He killed him…” Due to Saul’s disobedience (his seeking of a medium), and his lack of trust in the Lord, God says His judgment brought death. Wow. He killed him.

Today, people fight against this truth of God. Atheists point to it to try and discredit God. Some professing believers try to explain it away in defense of God. And, yet, the reality stands. God judges sin, and His final penalty is death. That is our God.

Here’s the thing: That is where grace comes in. If we dismiss or deny the just judgment of God, we will never appreciate His grace. God’s great love prompts His grace. And, God’s great grace provides a way for the guilty to be redeemed from the penalty they are due. Go slow, and see the hugeness of this. God forgives if we will repent. The sinful people led captive in judgment return restored in repentance. The same God who executes righteous judgment on an unrepentant Saul is the same God who forgives and restores a repentant David. You can’t have one without the other, and you won’t cherish one without the other.

Lord, thank You for Your perfect justice and Your great grace. Thank You that they perfectly reconcile in You, alone.