Bible Reading Reflection from 1 Chronicles 21-29

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚𝟙:𝟙𝟛

"Then David said to Gad, ‘I am in great distress. Let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is very great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man.’"

When there's a crime happening, people rally for justice. And they even would give mob justice. But when they are the perpetrators, they want mercy.

Human justice, even at its best is corrupt. Humans are cruel when they are angry, they are uncontrollable and insane. Certainly, there's a God in heaven, who is just. Not only is He just but is He merciful. When we are the victims, and even when we are the perpetrators, God is the best Judge we can entrust our souls upon. And be relaxed in Him!

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚𝟚:𝟠

"But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth.’"

David is a man after God's own heart, but he is disqualified to build a house for God. Not because of his sins or who he was but because of his responsibility.

He was a king, who fought the enemies to protect God's people. What he did was right and good. Building a house for God is right and good too. But he was disqualified for being good at killing. Think through that one when you don't receive something you ask. Maybe not because of your sins or who you are, but because of the plan and way of God.

Suppose you see a beautiful girl who likes you and has an impeccable reputation and character. She shares your dream and plans for life. And God could say, "Don't marry her because she is not a Christian."

Or she may be even a Christian, and God could say, "Don't because she will prosper in a city and you will in a village" Or whatever😅

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚𝟛:𝟛𝟘

"And they were to stand every morning, thanking and praising the LORD, and likewise at evening."

Praise and Worship Team in our modern-day fellowships and churches is a joke.

They are young, immature, unsound in doctrine, etc. They are supposed to encourage people to praise God, but what they really do is people to praise them!

Look at the Bible, the biblical team of singers and musicians. They weren’t anybody who sings well or plays the music well! Only the Levites. And they were tasked to encourage people to praise God in the morning and in the evening!

Does your church worship team encourage you to do that? They themselves don't sing, only on Sunday! 😬

#Chosen people. #Qualified people. #Faithful people.

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚𝟜:𝟚

"But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no children, so Eleazar and Ithamar became the priests."

The writer skips telling us why they died, but we remember how they died! Not all the facts of the matter are equally important. And so, the other two sons of Aaron and their descendants become the leaders in the temple.

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚𝟝:𝟙

"David and the chiefs of the service also set apart for the service the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who prophesied with lyres, with harps, and with cymbals. The list of those who did the work and of their duties was"

Not only the preachers, matter to God, musicians as well. See the list of musicians. Everything matters to God. Every profession matters to God. Of course, some sinful professions like an assassin, trafficking, and robbery are not!

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚𝟞:𝟙𝟡

"These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the Korahites and the sons of Merari."

At face value, the books of Chronicles are pointless, meaningless, and boring because they are the names of dead people whom we never know!

But it reminds us that they lived serving God, and their names are written by God. And we, too, are insignificant even in our community, but God knows everything about us. And as He knew the gatekeepers of Israel so he knows you and me and our services very well. That’s the interesting nature of our God of the books of Chronicles.

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚𝟟:𝟛𝟛

"Ahithophel was the king's counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend."

Two interesting advisors of David. They were very influential and definitely wise. The former betrayed David in taking the side of Absalom. The latter stuck with David and engineered the downfall of Absalom. No wonder he was recognized as the king's friend.

We are not just to counsel but also to be loyal to our fellow Christians.

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚𝟠:𝟡

"And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever."

David was very clear in his instruction: Exhortation and Warning. Do you hear parents instructing like this to their children?

Parents want their children to be educated. Their exhortation to be successful in exams are great. Their warnings against failures are heavy. Their prayers [for successful exams] are also much. But when it comes to following God, most parents fail...

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚𝟡:𝟡

"Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly."

Look at the words: rejoiced, willingly, whole heart, freely, rejoiced greatly. Wow! What a description in one sentence with those beautiful words!

Bible Reading Reflection from 1 Chronicles 10-20

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟘:𝟜

"Then Saul said to his armor bearer, "Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, otherwise these uncircumcised will come and abuse me." But his armor bearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword and fell on it."

Interesting account with so many observations. Saul was shot. His servant refused to relieve him of pain. Saul was very afraid of the Philistines' torture and abuses. He killed himself! If you want to punish Saul, is this not a great way to let him die? He himself was made to kill himself because he was unfit to be the king of Israel.

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟙:𝟚

"In times past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel; and the LORD your God said to you, 'You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be prince over My people Israel.'"

David's responsibility was not to lord over them, abuse them, or intimidate others. It was to shepherd them!

All kinds of leaders are put into position by God for the welfare of people. Not just kings, governors, and DCs. Let's remember that!

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟚:𝟙𝟟

"David went out to meet them, and said to them, ‘If you come peacefully to me to help me, my heart shall be united with you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look on it and decide.’"

David didn't intimidate him with threats or abuses. He was calling upon God to watch over the situation!

God's Name is important in all situations!

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟛:𝟛

"And let us bring back the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul."

It’s not a surprise why Saul wouldn't seek the ark of God! He would hate it because Saul was such an ignorant arrogant wicked fool!

Wicked people don't want to read Bible or even want to know anything about it, because it will confront them!

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟜:𝟚

"And David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted, for the sake of His people Israel."

Do we see the hands of God in our life? If not all the time, at least in some particulars of life? There is, are, lots. We just need to think through it. Let's learn to count the blessings of God. Let's learn to meditate and dwell in His goodness!

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟝:𝟚

"Then David said that no one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the LORD had chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister to him forever."

This is not to punish the Levites, but to mean that the honor belongs exclusively to the Levites. The others are unqualified. David didn't try to share that honor for himself, unlike Uzziah! David knew the proper worship of God!

Remember not everyone can represent God in worship. It's the man with the preaching of God's word! Hear him. Even if he preaches imperfectly, God will still use that for your sanctification and growth!

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟞:𝟛𝟟

"So David left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister regularly before the ark as each day required."

And so, we see at least 12 Psalms of Asaph are recorded in the book of Psalm. Asaph wasn't an amateur, he was chosen by none other than the great Psalmist David. And he was appointed to minister regularly before the ark! He was a dedicated man of God like David!

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟟:𝟙𝟞

"Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, ‘Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?’"

Our prayers are often the opposite. We think we deserve this and that. We complained, grumble, get disappointed, discouraged, and even stop praying or delighting in God. David knew he didn't deserve anything. We don't deserve anything as well. Let's stop having a high view of ourselves, especially before God. Enough of self-esteem talk!

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟠:𝟙𝟛

"Then he put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David's servants. And the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went."

Edomites are the descendants of Esau. Isaac blessed Esau that his descendants will be able to break out from the yoke of his brother's descendants. David was blessed to see the victory in his lifetime but will be broken later on. God's hand upon David is exceptional! 👍

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟡:𝟙𝟚-𝟙𝟛

"And he said, ‘If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will help you. Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him.’"

Look at the partnership in this battle! Look at what they say! Look at whom they put their trust upon! That's how we need to pursue sanctification in our lives too. We are on battle till we reach heaven's shore. And we must look out for one another! We can't say like Cain, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Because we are.

Some Practical ways to look out for others:

1. Ask them if your friends are reading their Bible every day. Why and why not?

2. Ask them why they skip churches or prayer meetings.

You see, it's very practical! 👍

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚𝟘:𝟙

"In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, Joab led out the army and ravaged the country of the Ammonites and came and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. And Joab struck down Rabbah and overthrew it."

The writer decided to omit the sins of David.

Don't bring up past sins again. Love covers a multitude of sins. If you have forgiven, don't bring them up again to accuse them or to make them feel guilty again!

Bible Reading Reflection from 1Chronicles 1-9

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day] 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙:𝟛𝟚

"The sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine, whom she bore, were Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan were Sheba and Dedan."

Abraham married Keturah after Sarah died! And had begotten Midian through that marriage.

Moses married a Midianite woman. However, later, Israelites were prohibited to have any relationship with the Midianites!

A lot of children of Abraham through many wives, and much bloodshed! He should have married only Sarah. Then, there would be no such people, and Muslims (not the people but the false religion developed through Ishmael), huh! 😂

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚:𝟙𝟟

"Abigail bore Amasa, and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite."

We often see a non-Israelite, being part of the great program of God. Jesus’ ancestry includes Moabite, prostitute, illegitimate son, etc.

Amasa was a son of an Ishmaelite. Does that mean it was okay to have intermarriage? No. It was a sin. And whatever is against the scriptural teaching is sin, till today, and forever will be.

What it shows us is that God, still, is sovereign even over sins. And God, still, loves each individual.

What if God rejects all the children of Bathsheba because it was an illegal marriage? Are the children responsible for their parent’s sins? Should you kill a son of a prostitute or of a raped victim? What wrong has that son done? Doesn’t he have all the rights and opportunities as any other child? We can't look down on them because of their parents. God didn't, does not, and will not.

That's what we learn from such a scandal of ancestry.

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟛:𝟚𝟙

"The sons of Hananiah were Pelatiah and Jeshaiah, the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shecaniah."

Why a list of dead people? We never know some of them, never heard of them apart from this chapter?

In itself, this chapter, including 1 and 2 is boring!

But it is written as proof that God had preserved His promise to raise up Messiah from the descendants of David [and Abraham], no matter how challenging it had been.

It shows the faithfulness and power of God!

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟜:𝟙𝟘

"Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!’ And God granted him what he requested."

In this list of names, suddenly there's a mention of prayer, and God answered that prayer. Interesting! 👍

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟝:𝟚𝟘

"They were helped against them, and the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hand; for they cried out to God in the battle, and He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him."

The narrative suggests that they were losing but when they put their trust in God and cried out to God, they were helped by God.

‘Trusted’ and ‘cried’ are the keywords here – what they did. And what God did were, help them, and deliver the enemies into their hands. Wow!

Let's be fervent in prayer all the time!

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟞:𝟞𝟜

"So the sons of Israel gave to the Levites the cities with their pasture lands."

This chapter gives a lot of consideration to the concerns [needs] of the Levites. And so, as Moses commanded them, they gave cities to the Levites!

When we have little, giving a little of what we have is not that tough. But I have heard from lots of people that when you have much, to give proportionately from what you have is really tough!

Giving 10 out of 1000 is 0.1 percent.

To give 0.1 percent when you have millions is another thing!

But some things are commanded and must be fulfilled. Israelites were commanded, and so, so far, so good! 👍

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟟:𝟙𝟛

"The sons of Naphtali were Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah."

The chronicle of the tribe of Naphtali is very short. It's obvious there were not many significant people from this tribe. Even Jacob's blessing in Genesis 49 is short.

Would people remember you and your descendants after you die?

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟠:𝟜𝟘

"The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons and grandsons, 150 of them. All these were of the sons of Benjamin."

This chapter is devoted to the descendants of Benjamin. Indeed, they were mighty people of war. Gifted, skilled, and even brave. Even the first king of united Israel was from the tribe of Benjamin, King Saul.

Even the great Apostle Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin, Saul of Tarsus.

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟡:𝟚

"Now the first who lived in their possessions in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites and the temple servants."

This chapter focuses on the return of the worship team from exile.

The worship team is essential for Worship, Community, and Livelihood. The worship team includes the Priests and the Levites. BTW, the worship leader is not the guy with the guitar, it's the man with the Bible [I agree with John Piper]. The worship leader of any church is the teaching pastor!

Singing is just a tiny part of worship. Remember that!