40 Weeks of your Life: 1 Chronicles
07-24-2006
by Vicky Beeching

In Hebrew the book's title is Divre Hayyamim, which translates as "History of the Days." It's like the journal of the nation of Israel

There is a lot of over lap between Chronicles and the books of Kings, which we read a recently. So as you read Chronicles, take in all the details, as you'll notice that although Kings included similar stories, often they are presented from different angles and perspectives. If God ever repeats Himself, we know it's for a good reason and to add emphasis to what He is saying. So having two similar texts means there must be important things for us in their pages!

This book opens with 6 chapters of genealogies and family trees. This can seem like tough reading, but hang in there!! Remember that the same God who cared to detail every generation by name, cares so much about each on e of us. Not one of us is forgotten by God, or missing from His memory. The long lists of names always remind me of that!

1 Chronicles is a chance to continue to get to know David. He's named a "man after God's own heart", so he's a good person to get to know! The book describes his rule and reign, and in it's closing chapters his son Solomon steps into the picture and begins to take the baton from his father.

Scholars say the books of Chronicles look at events with a more positive perspective than the books of Samuel and Kings. They suggest Samuel and Kings were written when Israel were in exile, and their outlook was bleak. Chronicles, they guess, were written much later in time when the Jewish community had been restored in Palestine and their lives and outlook were more joyful. Thus they looked back without as much despair and pain as they had when they recorded their thoughts in the books of Samuel and Kings. Interesting theories for us to consider!

The books of Chronicles are a reminder to us of the importance of keeping records of what God is doing in our lives, and what he is saying to us. Israel kept such detailed accounts of genealogies, battles, and leaders… Do you keep a journal? I'm inspired to keep writing in mine and recording what God is doing in my life!