In chapter 10, we see the event of Saul’s death, then the interpretation of Saul’s death. Or you may argue, we see reality, then ultimate reality. Our reality, then God’s reality.

In chapter 11, God tells David what he’ll become. The next verse, that comes to pass.

Now we know, if we read the rest of the Bible, it didn’t happen so quickly, nor so conveniently. And it’s the same way in life today. God tells us something and we want it now, but God takes his sweet time. He acts like He has all the time in the world or something.

On our end, we’re wanting Everest in a day. If it takes two, we lose interest. So somewhere, in all that waiting, toiling, and being faithful in the days of small things, God teaches us what we need to know so we can become who He says we’re supposed to become. Our reality, God’s reality.

And maybe, just maybe, if we keep at it long enough, we can become mighty men like those in chapter 11 & 12.

Mighty warriors

Chief men

Heads of fathers’ houses

Those seem to be the key phrases of the section. You get the idea, if you aren’t using your brain, that it was just a bunch of men back in those days. But don’t be mistaken, there were plenty of women, because all of these men had to come out of somewhere. That’s the sad part though, the women were really only seen as baby makers. And while it’s true they do a darn good job at that, women can and do fulfill many other roles. We must remember, this was written many, many moons ago in a distant land.

Also in this section, we see a brief interruption to make note of a robbery on Ephraim and his family’s livestock. It seems random, but perhaps it gives us a clue into how infrequent crimes of theft were in those days.

We also see, starting in chapter 9, that Judah was taken into exile because of their breach of faith. Which makes me think: In Christian pop culture today, we think God is with us no matter what. He will never let go, no matter how bad circumstances are, no matter how bad we are. If we sin, He will still love us, bless us, pamper us, because after all, we are the King’s kids.

But what about discipline? Chastening? A little smack from His rod and staff? If we discipline our kids, will not the Lord do the same with His? He disciplines those whom He loves and He does it for our benefit, just as we love our kids and discipline them for their benefit. It may not seem like it at the time, but afterward, it yields good fruit. Surely, for Judah this was the case.

Perhaps, even more difficult, is answering the question: will we be disciplined as a nation for our sins? Think on that for a bit.

In closing, may it be said of us as it was of Phineas, the Lord was with him. And like those in the latter 1/2 of chapter 9, may we too find our place of service in the Lord’s house.

Does it ever occur to you that this book wasn’t written in the 21st century, the 20th century, nor even the Middle Ages? It certainly wasn’t written in English. Just look at those names: Idbash, Hazzelelponi, Haahashtari, Jekuthiel.

You may recognize one name in there, especially if you were a Christian in the early 2000s. The name: Jabez, in 4:9. His prayer was turned into a book and was a best seller. Millions in the bank for some guy named Bruce, who stumbled across this name Jabez, and his prayer, in some obscure genealogies.

It has been many years since I read The Prayer of Jabez, but I must say I like his prayer. I even pray it myself sometimes. “Lord, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that I might not cause pain.” You can try it too. God just might hear it and do something about it, like he did for Jabez.

In closing, I want to be like the potters of Netaim and Gederah–who lived in the King’s service. I also want to find a land like the guys in 4:34-40: a rich land, good pastures…a broad, quiet, peaceful land.

2.26.13

Bob Dylan wrote an autobiography called Chronicles. Right now, it looks much more appealing than these first 9 chapters. Names, names, and more names.

One time, I counted them all up, or at least a good portion of them. I’ll find that stat and post it in the near future. But, for the sake of simplicity, so we don’t become bogged down at the start, let me lay down an outline.

• Chapter 1: Adam to Jacob
• Chapter 2: Jacob to David
• Chapter 3: David to Captivity

Special notes:

• Nimrod was the first to be a “mighty man”
• In Peleg’s days the earth was divided
• Er was evil in the sight of the Lord and God put him to death
• Achan was the troubler of Israel who broke faith in the matter of devoted things
• Hezron was married at age 60. His son Jar had 23 cities in Gilead. Let’s just say 2:21-24 is messy
• Seled died childless. So did Jether
• Sheshan had only daughters, but he arranged for a male slave and daughter to marry. They have a child, a son
• Jeconiah was a captive

Why do these first nine chapters of Chronicles matter? All these genealogies affirm, in painstaking detail, the line of Christ.