July 5th One Year Bible Readings

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!  Well, actually... no, there is no relationship between this book of First Chronicles and the Chronicles of Narnia... :)  And after the first few chapters, you might notice a slight difference in excitement level between these 2 Chronicles as well...  :)   But First Chronicles is of course much more important than the Chronicles of Narnia!  So 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)

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?

YouTube: As I mention the Chronicles of Narnia in today's blog posting, here's the trailer for the 3rd movie in the series, "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." If you haven't seen this one yet, I highly recommend it. It's a powerful look at reality & dangers of temptation & evil in our world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4hydUHDHhw

Are you on a voyage toward God? Click here and sail with Him forevermore!

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 & Questions of the Day:  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

Comments

[Ramona]

I Chronicles 1-2:17

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

[Billy]

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.