1 Chronicles 10:1-14

THE DEATH OF SAUL

Keywords 10:13a

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD;

 

1. The death of Saul (1-10,13-14)

When someone dies, the cause of death must be determined. The Chronicler

states that Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD. Saul failed to keep

the LORD’s word; he consulted a medium for guidance instead of inquiring of

the LORD.Saul’s unfaithfulness had severe consequences. The Israelites were

defeated by the Philistines and the house of Saul perished. Even worse, Saul’s

head became a trophy in Dagon’s temple. The message is clear: The remnant

must be faithful to God. When we are unfaithful to God, our lives become a trophy

for our enemies. Wasn’t this why Satan brought calamity to Job’s life and why he

tempted Jesus in the desert? We must honor God by keeping his word and by

seeking his will in prayer. In that way, our lives become a testimony to his glory.

 

2. The valiant men of Jabesh Gilead (11-12)

The men of Jabesh Gilead were men of honour, faithful to their king. They

remembered the Lord’s deliverance through King Saul. When they heard Saul had

died, they risked their lives to give their king a proper burial.

 

Prayer Lord, help us to keep your word and seek your will.

One Word Be Faithful to God

 

1 Chronicles 9:1-44

A NEW BEGINNING FOR JERUSALEM

Keywords 9:2

Now the first to resettle on their own property in their own towns were some Israelites, priests, Levites and temple servants.

 

1. The people in Jerusalem (1-34)

The people of Israel went into exile because of their unfaithfulness to God.

But now, God was doing a new work in Israel. Families from Judah, Benjamin,

Ephraim, and Manasseh along with priests, Levites, and gatekeepers came to

resettle Jerusalem. Although they were from different tribes, they were one in their

faithfulness to God. Each person’s role was very important. This is emphasized by

the job description of the gatekeepers who protected the entrances to the house

of the LORD and took care of the temple articles. Mattithiah, the fi rstborn son of

Shallum the Korahite, was entrusted with the responsibility of baking the offering

bread. What have you been entrusted with? Do it faithfully and joyfully for the glory

of God!

 

2. The genealogy of Saul (35-44)

The genealogy of Saul is followed by an account of his death (Ch.10) and the

establishment of David’s throne (Ch.11). Hope is found in the line of David.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for giving each and every one of us an important role in

your kingdom. Help us to be faithful in our duties and glorify your name.

One Word Rejoice in God’s role for you

 

1 Chronicles 7:1-8:40

HOPE THAT OVERCOMES

Keywords 7:22-23a

22 Their father Ephraim mourned for them many days, and his relatives came to comfort him. 23 Then he lay with his wife again, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son.

 

1. Other tribes (7:1-40)

Although Naphtali’s geneology is the shortest, it is very signifi cant. Every tribe

had a place in the resettlement of Jerusalem and a reason for hope. Verse 22

records that Ephraim mourned over the deaths of his sons Ezer and Elead. His

despair was very great and he mourned for them many days. However, new hope

and life came as his wife gave birth to a son. His daughter was Sheerah, who built

Lower and Upper Beth Horon as well as Uzzen Sheerah. Ephraim’s tragedy was

overcome by God’s blessings.

 

2. The genealogy of Saul (8:1-44)

The tribe of Benjamin was familiar with adversity : the descendants of Elud were

deported from their homes, Shaharaim divorced his wives Hushim and Baara,

and Saul’s family lost the kingship. However, their stories show how God’s people

overcame their situation. Among the descendants of Merib-Baal, were the sons

of Ulam, who were brave warriors. God’s people have hope and can overcome

diffi cult circumstances.

 

Prayer Lord, fi ll us with courage and hope.

One Word Find hope in God!

 

1 Chronicles 6:1-81

ATONEMENT AND WORSHIP

Keywords 6:49

But Aaron and his descendants were the ones who presented offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense in connection with all that was done in the Most Holy Place, making atonement for Israel, in accordance with all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.

 

1. The lineage of Aaron (1-15)

Aaron and his descendants were sovereignly chosen by God to present offerings

of atonement for sin. The priesthood of Aaron was challenged by Korah and by

King Uzziah. However, Korah was swallowed by the earth and King Uzziah struck

with leprosy. We must approach God on his terms, not ours. Today, we come to

God in the name of our High Priest, Jesus Christ. “For by his one sacrifice he

has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Through him, we may

approach God’s throne of grace with confidence.

 

2. Other clans (16-81)

Aaron’s fellow Levites were assigned all the other duties of the house of God.

This included the worship of God through music and psalms, worship being our

highest calling. Its significance is shown through King David’s appointment of

Heman, Asaph, and Ethan as chief musicians and the careful attention given to

their genealogies. Finally, the Levites had no land of their own, for the Lord was

their inheritance.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for the forgiveness of our sin.

One Word Atonement leads to worship

 

1 Chronicles 3:1-5:26

PLACE YOUR HOPE IN THE LORD

Keywords 3:17-18

17 The descendants of Jehoiachin the captive: Shealtiel his son, 18 Malkiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama and Nedabiah.

 

1. The royal line of David (3:1-24)

Verses 10-16 of chapter 3 list the kings of Judah, ending with Jehoiachin who

was taken captive and Zedekiah who perished in Babylon. This would seem to

be the end of David’s line, but then something wonderful follows. The royal line

continues through the descendants of Jehoiachin and is traced to the time of

the Jewish remnant in Jerusalem. The hope of a new king was alive! Zerubbabel,

a descendant of Jehoiachin, gave special names to his children: ‘Meshullam’

“restored”; ‘Hananiah’ “Yahweh is merciful” and ‘Jushab-Hesed’ “Covenant love

returns”. Their hope was in God.

 

2. Prayer and faithfulness (4:1-5:26)

An account of Jabez is given among the genealogies of Judah’s clans. Jabez

cried out to the God of Israel and God granted his request. The tribe of Simeon

was faithful to God and their families increased greatly and their land was

spacious. In the past, God also answered the prayers of the Gadites who cried out

to him in battle and trusted in him. The remnant in Jerusalem was to remember

and follow these important examples of faith.

 

Prayer Heavenly Father, our hope is in you, and you alone.

One Word Trust God and pray!

 

1 Chronicles 1:1-2:55

GOD IS FAITHFUL TO HIS WORD

Keywords 1:1-3

1 Adam, Seth, Enosh, 2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, 3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah

 

1. From Adam to Abraham (1:1-54)

The Jews who returned to Judah from Babylonian captivity faced many

difficulties, the most severe of these/ being a loss of identity. How was this

meager group related to the great nation that occupied the land in the past? How

could they rebuild the temple and revive their nation amidst so much opposition

and disappointment? 1 Chronicles teaches us that hope is found in recognizing

our place in God’s history and by remembering his faithfulness. Like Adam who

was commanded to fill the earth and subdue it, the Jews could have courage

to rebuild and repopulate Jerusalem. God promised Abraham that through his

offspring all nations would be blessed. This was fulfilled through a tiny remnant

that would return. They were heirs of God’s promises.

 

2. Israel’s sons (2:1-55)

By listing the genealogies of the different tribes, the Chronicler gives hope to the

whole nation of Israel. Judah’s genealogy is significant because it includes the

family of David through whom God promised to establish his throne forever. This

too was a promise the returning Jews could set their hearts on. God was working

through them.

 

Prayer Father, our hope is rooted in your faithfulness.

One Word Find hope in God’s promises

 

Genesis 38:1-30

JUDAH AND TAMAR

Keywords 38:26

Judah recognized them and said, "She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah." And he did not sleep with her again.

 

1. Judah’s three sons and Tamar (1-11)

After Joseph was sold to Egypt, Judah might have been upset. He went out

further from his brothers. He even married a Canaanite woman and had three

sons. Er, his first son got married Tamar, but the Lord put him to death for his

wickedness. Onan married her to keep the Levirate marriage law. But God put

him to death too for not allowing Tamar to become pregnant. Judah was afraid of

losing the third son too. So he sent Tamar to her parents pledging to give Shelah

later.

 

2. Tamar bore Perez and Zerah (12-30)

When Judah did not keep his pledge, Tamar disguised herself and slept with

Judah. It was to be faithful to her dead husband according to the law of God.

God blessed her to become pregnant. Judah at fi rst wanted to put her to death

according to God’s law. But he found she was more righteous than him. Thus, twin

boys, Perez and Zerah were born. Tamar is the great grandmother of David. Perez

is the ancestor of David and the Messiah, Jesus Christ. God kept his redemptive

history through a faithful woman. God showed his mercy in the midst of the sinful

natures of his chosen people.

 

Prayer Lord, thank you for your mercy for sending the Messiah through a faithful

woman’s line.

One Word God is merciful

 

Genesis 37:12-36

JOSEPH SOLD BY HIS BROTHERS

Keywords 37:20

"Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams."

 

1. Here comes that dreamer (12-20)

Jacob sent Joseph to see how his brothers were grazing their flocks. Joseph

was a very responsible person. He even went to Dothan (almost two days'

journey) until he could fi nd them. But his brothers saw the dreamer in the distance

and plotted to kill him. They wanted to see what would come of his dreams. Their

hatred inside fi nally led them to kill him (James 1:15). We should shun our inner

grudges and sins each time they arise in us through repentance before they

become too big to handle.

 

2. Joseph was sold to Egypt (21-36)

Reuben suggested throwing him into a well with no water. He planned to rescue

him later. But Joseph was sold to Egypt according to Judah’s suggestion. Here

God’s will shown to Joseph in his dream seems to be greatly endangered.

However, God even used their evil desires to achieve his exact plan. Man cannot

stop God’s will and his wisdom. Joseph is a shadow of Jesus who was rejected

by his own people and sold by Judas and was killed by them. But God even used

these injustice all fulfi ll his long plan to save all sinners on the cross. Praise God!

 

Prayer Lord, thank you for fulfilling your salvation plan even through the evil

peoples’ hindrances.

One Word God’s will outwit man’s sins!

Genesis 36:1-37:11

JOSEPH A DREAMER

Keywords 37:7

We were binding sheaves of grain out in the fi eld when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it."

 

1. The descendants of Esau, the Edomites (Ch36)

Before mentioning Jacob’s descendants, the author recorded the line of Esau.

It was to show how God was keeping his promise, to make Esau a nation (Gen

25:23). It shows also that it would not be Esau but Jacob who would take

possession of the Promised Land. Last of all it shows that God also loves all

people to be saved including Esau’s descendants.

 

2. Joseph, the dreamer (37:1-11)

Joseph’s story with his dream was written. Outwardly Jacob’s families were not

ideal or happy at all. They had lots of jealousy, competition, conflicts and even

hatred. This was because Jacob married four women and had many children.

He favored Joseph who was born of his most beloved wife, Rachel. Joseph also

brought to his father all their bad reports. Joseph further shared his dreams that

made all mad. However, God had been with Joseph. He raised him as a shadow

of the Messiah. He was hated by his own people, yet he was used to save them

all.

 

Prayer Lord, thank you for showing your mercy even toward the ordinary

and troubled families. You would bring Messiah through their lines.

It’s because of your promises. Your faithfulness is greater than our

weaknesses and iniquities.

One Word God keeps his covenant no matter what

Genesis 35:1-29

GO UP TO BETHEL

Keywords 35:1

Then God said to Jacob, "Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau."

 

1. God renewed his covenant with Jacob (1-15)

When Jacob lost his life direction by killing all the males of Shechem, God helped

him to return to keep his vow in Bethel. When Jacob obeyed God wholeheartedly

by getting rid of all idols from his families, the terror of the Lord fell and no one

pursued them. He safely returned to Bethel, made an altar and worshiped God,

calling, “El Bethel,” God of Bethel. God confirmed his name as Israel and renewed

his covenant to prosper his descendants to inherit the Promised Land. We must

return to God and restore our first love for God in our times of difficulty, for God is

our only helper.

 

2. God raised 12 patriarchs (16-29)

Later Rachel died after giving birth to Benjamin, the 12th son of Jacob. God thus

established 12 patriarchs in times of adversity and hardship in Paddan Aram. God

keeps his promises. He prospers us even when our life is messed up with so many

troubles in this world. It’s because we are his covenant people through Jesus.

 

Prayer Lord, we praise and thank you for your faithfulness in keeping your

promises even when we forget your promise.

One Word God of Bethel

 

Genesis 34:1-31

DINAH IN SHECHEM

Keywords 34:23

Won't their livestock, their property and all their other animals become ours? So let us give our consent to them, and they will settle among us."

 

1. Dinah was dishonored (1-12)

Jacob was not careful to protect Dinah around a dangerous neighbor. Shechem,

son of the ruler easily dishonored the covenant people by raping Dinah, the

daughter of Leah. He had no guilt, no apologies. He thought the marriage could

be arranged by the bride-price. Hamor, Shechem’s father further tempted Jacob

even to intermarry between two peoples by settling down in Sukkoth. That might

cause Jacob to assimilate into the Canaanite culture. God’s redemptive history

was in danger.

 

2. Simeon and Levi killed all the males (13-31)

Simeon, Levi and Dinah’s brothers deceived Shechem to circumcise their

men and then they attacked and killed all the males and took women and their

properties as spoils. This was excessive. Jacob feared of being destroyed by

neighboring forces. Why did all these tragedies happen? It was because Jacob

broke his vows to God to come back to Bethel (28:20-22). Instead, he chose

Sukkoth to live according to his own convenience. Behind all these incidents God

was leading Jacob to keep his covenant to remain in redemptive history.

 

Prayer Lord, life on earth can be like Dinah’s tragic story when we don’t live

before God. Help us live to keep up with the word of God. Thank God for

the painful love to return us to live as a covenant people.

One Word Live up to the word of God!