Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“And then I came to learn that the food of the Levites had not been given to them, so that the Levites and the singers, the doers of the work, had gone back each to his field. So I quarreled with the prefects, and I said, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” And I gathered them and set them at their station. So all of Judah brought the tithe of grain, new wine, and olive oil into the storehouses. I appointed as treasurer over the storehouses Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, Pedaiah from the Levites, and as their hand Hanan son of Zaccur, son of Mattaniah, for they were considered faithful. The responsibility given to them was to distribute to their brothers..” (Nehemiah 13:10-13)

Chapter thirteen, the close of Nehemiah, sees Nehemiah instigates practical behaviour that upholds the Law that Ezra has been reading to them. Whenever he finds something not being done – like the Levites being given their food – he makes sure it happens and appoints someone to take charge, ensuring continuance of action. They separated from idolaters, they got proper functioning of the Temple service, they made sure the priests and Levites were taken care of, that the Sabbath was honoured as intended (it is a POWERFUL picture of the rest we have in Jesus), work crews were appointed, and proper sacrifices and incense offerings were given at the appropriate appointed times. Nehemiah took leadership seriously. He led by example. And he based everything he did on the Word, consulting God at EVERY step – BEFORE he took action.

“Adam, Seth, Enosh;  Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared; Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech; Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Diphath, and Togarmah. The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rhodanim. The sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.” (1 Chronicles 1:1-8)

First Chronicles was written between 450 and 425 B.C. Tradition holds that Ezra was again the author (authoring Ezra, Nehemiah, and both first and second Chronicles). The book looks back at Jewish history in the Land, mixing genealogy and key historical events of their past. The theme of the book is the restoration of the life and practise of Temple worship. It was an appeal to not just return to the Land, but to return to the ROLE of God’s people in the Land. It emphasizes continuity throughout history, God’s sovereign role as the Source of the people (although not the controller of every detail of their lives – they had free will), worship in the Temple, obedience to God’s Law, the warnings of the prophets to not deviate from loving obedience to God, and the hope of Messiah (fulfilled in Jesus – partially through His death and resurrection to life and fully through His triumphant future return). Holy Spirit used theological AND historical information to exhort His audience. In essence, Chronicles 1 & 2 are the highlights of the Jewish People and their History and relationship with God. As you read, note what it is that Holy Spirit brings our attention to, the extra details not found in the History Books, and also what He leaves out of His summation. The books are HIS perspective on what has taken place. Think of these books as magnifying glasses He holds over the Jews and their journey with Him.

Chapter one starts the line of David, tracing the genealogy from Adam through Issac’s sons, and ending with the record of the line of Issac’s son Esau – Edom. One of the striking notes is verse 32 where Abraham continued to father children after Sarah’s death. Abraham’s restoration was not a one-time miracle leading to Isaac’s birth. Abraham was RESTORED so thoroughly that he was having children with Keturah when he was 136 years old (he died at 175). When God restores something, it STAYS restored – something that echoes what will happen with the Jewish people in the future.

Summary

Key Players: God, Nehemiah, the Jews.

Key Verse(s): Nehemiah 13:30-31; 1 Chronicles 1:32-33