1st and 2nd Chronicles seem to represent the leftovers of the Bible. Most of the stories can be found in richer details in other books. The history of Israel it covers can be located elsewhere. Entire passages of genealogies seem lifted from other sources. Basically, upon the first read, it can feel like some ancient scholar was trying to hit a word count for the Bible and ran out of new material. Sounds like my Torrey Paper.
However, upon closer inspection, so much of the Gospel is evident in these books it would seem absurd not to include them. The royal line of David provides a backbone to Chronicles, subtly pointing us to the coming Messiah. David and Solomon represent the peak of Israel’s history, providing a reference point for all the future kings to look back to and a beacon to point the Israelites forward to Christ. And in the center of it all is the narrative of the Temple of God, the place where God is able to come down and dwell with his people. To the Jews rebuilding the Temple at the time 1st and 2nd Chronicles were written, the Temple was all they had left of a once great empire. 1st and 2nd Chronicles, however, serve to remind them what a great inheritance it was. The great Temple, the idea of mighty King David and the work of the splendid King Solomon was decorated with the finest materials by the most skilled craftsmen. The ground on which it was built was twice blasted with holy fire from heaven, accepting the sacrifices made there.
Sadly, God’s chosen people strayed from him with one wretched king after another, with good kings interspersed. The story of the temple is told, the kings disgrace it, ignore its upkeep, destroy it, interspersed with kings who refurbish it, rebuild it, and restore its practices and attendants.
The story of the Temple is far from done. Today, God’s Temple resides in each of us. The space where God has made his dwelling place is in the hearts of those who have accepted him as Lord. It’s our job, just as it was the job of the Kings of Israel, to attend to the furnishing of the Temple.
In order to grow God’s kingdom here on earth, we can make disciples of him by spreading the Gospel. Each new believer is a new place for God to dwell. Furthermore, through discipleship we can love and attend to our fellow Christians, thus caring for the Temple of God.
Also, pouring into our local churches, which are also places where God dwells, is an excellent way to uphold the command to look after the Temple. By becoming invested through service, community, and prayer, we can grow God’s kingdom on earth.
1st and 2nd Chronicles are amazing books detailing the history of Israel, with excellent insights into the mysteries of the Gospel. The Messiah from the line of David has come. Let us further his Kingdom and attend to his Temple, just like the ancient Kings of Israel were commanded to do.
