Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — 1 Chronicles 1-9

Study 1  From the Book of 1 Chronicles is: 1 Chronicles 1-9

These chapters, which at first sight appear to be mere wilderness of names, are seen on closer inspection to contain an orderly arrangement, like a garden divided into separate beds. The writer begins with the line of descent from Adam to Noah, and then gives the descendants of each of Noah’s three sons (1:1-27). Arriving thus at Abraham, he lists the sons of Ishmael, and of Keurah, and Isaac’s two sons, Israel and Esau, with a list of the descendants of Esau (1:28-54). With chapter 2 begins the list of Israel’ sons, with their descendants. Judah comes first and is given the largest space (2:3-4:23); then Simeon (4:24-43), Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh (chapter 5) Levi (chapter 6), Issachar (7:1-5), Benjamin (7:6-12), Naphtali (7:13). Manasseh (7:14-19), Ephraim (7:20-29), Asher (7:30-40). It will be noticed that two tribes are omitted. In chapter 8 the descendants of Benjamin are given more fully, leading up to the family of Saul and his descendants; chapter 9 gives a list of inhabitants of Jerusalem, and repeats the genealogy of Saul as an introduction to the story of his death in chapter 10.  Amidst these lists of names are a number of passages which may be spiritually applied with profit to ourselves.

1 Read 4:9, 10 and 5:18-22. What do you learn for your own life from the examples of (a) Jabez, and (b) Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh about success and victory? Cf. Ps. 81:10; Col. 4:2; 1 Jn. 5:4.
2 Build for yourself a mental picture of the lives and service of the Levites, as described in chapter 6. Are there lessons to be learned from this passage about the nature of true worship?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 0 — 1 Chronicles Book

Study 0  From the Book of 1 Chronicles is: The Introduction of 1 Chronicles

The two books of Chronicles, which are really one whole were composed at a much later date than the other historical books and frequent reference is made to former writings not now possessed by us.  The date is after the carrying away to Babylon (1 Ch. 6:15) and after the decree of Cyrus ordering the return (2 Ch. 36:22, 23), which decree is found also in the first chapter of Ezra. The literary style is similar to the books of Ezra-Nehemiah, which suggests that all belong to the same period.

The books of Chronicles are placed last in the Hebrew Bible. They are separated from the other historical books, and form part of the section of the Hebrew Canon known as ‘Hagiographa’ or ‘Writings’. The Hebrew title for the books of Chronicles is ‘The Word of the Days’, and the Greek title is ‘Omissions’. The name ‘Chronicles’ comes from Jerome. The theme of the books is the need for God to be central in the life of the nation, and the frequent times in the history of the monarchy when the nation turned away from Him. With occasional times of reformation under such kings as Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah and Josiah. After the death of Solomon (2 Ch. 9) the story of the southern kingdom alone is told, with only occasional references to the northern kingdom. The work of the prophets as witnesses to the truth of God, when kings and even priests corrupted it, is shown again and again, as is the faithfulness of God to the people of His choice. The interest of the writer centres very largely in the Temple, its priesthood and its worship.

Search The Scriptures —Study 7 — James 5

Study 7 From the Book of James is: James 5

With this lesson, we end the book of James. We start 1 Chronicles tomorrow.
James denounces the callous rich language which recalls, that of the Old Testament prophets. Cf. 1:9-11; 2: 1-7.

1. Verses 1-12. What is the outstanding fact underlying James’ warnings to the rich and his counsel to the oppressed? Do we, rich or poor, share this eternal perspective? What particular warnings should we take from verses 1-6? What reasons (verses 7-10) are there for self-control and what grounds for joyful peace of mind?
2. Verses 13-20. In what ways are we called upon to help others? In particular, what illustrations are here given of the power of prayer, and what conditions of effective prayer are laid down?

Notes

1. Verse 3b. NEB Translates, ‘You have piled up wealth in an age that is near its close’
2. Verse 6. The reference is probably not to Christ, as some suppose (cf. Acts 7:52), so much as to prevailing social conditions.
3. Verse 9. ‘Do not grumble’: the verse recalls 4:11, 12, where open criticism is discouraged; notice the similar legal language.
4. Verse 11. ‘The purpose of the Lord’: literally ‘The end of the Lord’ (AV, RV,). i.e., what the Lord finally purposed for Job. See Jb. 42:12.
5. Verse 12. It seems that James’ readers were notoriously unable to control their tongues: cf. 1:19, 26; 2: 12; 3: 5ff; 4:11; 5:9.

3. Verse 16. ‘Confess your sins’ there must be no hushing up of sin if prayer is to prevail. Cf. Ps. 66:18; Mt. 5:23, 24.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 6 — James 4

Study 6  From the Book of James is: James 4

1.     Verses 1-10. How does James diagnose the condition of those to whom he is writing? Can you find in verses 4:10 seven steps to spiritual recovery? What cause is there for encouragement and gratitude in this often painful business?

2.     Verse 11-17. The Christian community to which James was writing was further disfigured by evil speaking and rash confidence. What guidance does James give concerning, our attitude (a) to our fellow-Christians, and (b) to tomorrow? What difference would it make to your life if you took seriously the definition of sin in verse 17?

Notes

1.     Verse 4. ‘Unfaithful creatures’: literally ‘adulteress’. Cf. Ho. 3:1. But, the reference here is to apostasy not immorality.

2.     Verse 6. The quotation of Pr. 3:34 is introduced to demonstrate the wonder of God’s grace, which is able to overcome even the worldly spirit of James’ reader, if they will humble themselves and respond to His Spirit’s yearnings.

3.      

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Search The Scriptures —Study 5 — James 3

Study 5  From the Book of James is: James 3

In this chapter James returns to two subjects which he has already mentioned: the tongue (cf 1:19, 26 and wisdom (cf.1:5)

1.     Verses 1-2. Why does James discourage undue eagerness to take up teaching? Ponder his vivid illustrations of the power, for good or evil, of the tongue. How is the malignity of the tongue most clearly shown, and why is it so serious? How does James also show that the tongue’s inconsistency is monstrously unnatural?

2.     Verses 13-18. What are the marks and results of the two kinds of wisdom described in these verses? Consider how the qualities of heavenly wisdom, described in verses, 17, 18, were seen in the Lord Jesus. Are they evident in my life?

Notes

1.     Verse 6. NEB Translates: ‘And the tongue is in effect a fire. It represents among our members the world with all its wickedness; it pollutes our whole being; it keeps the wheel of our existence red-hot, and its flames are fed by hell’.

2.     Verse 13. ‘Meekness’: a word which today has lost much of its original nobility. For the Greeks, it denoted a strong man’s self-discipline and a wise man’s humility. Cf. 1:21.

3.     Verse 14. ‘Do not boast and be false to the truth’: to boast of wisdom when the heart is full of envy and selfish ambition is mere sham. Cf. 1:26.

4.     Verse 18 is to be contrasted with verse 16. Disorder and vileness accompany envy and rivalry; but righteousness (or justice) is the seed and crop of the peacemakers.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 4 — James 2:14-26

Study 4 From the Book of James is: James 2:14-26

James has already warned against an empty religion which is impure (1:26-27), here he warns against an inactive faith which is impotent.

1.     Verses 14:20. Empty faith is word without action, profession without performance. Cf. 1 Jn 3:18. How profitable is my faith by the test of James’ illustration? How does my faith differ from that of the demons?

2.     Verses 21-26. James illustrates his argument by reference to two very different people. How was the principle of verse 22 demonstrated in their lives? Is the principle at work in my own life?

Notes

1.     Verse 14.  This sense is: ‘Can (that sort of) faith save him? i.e.’ from condemnation.

2.     Verse 18. The objection that some have faith and some have works is specious because without corresponding moral action faith is empty and barren, like that of the devils (verse 19).

3.     Verse 25. ‘Justified by works’: cf. Rom. 3:20, 28; Gal. 2:16. Paul and James seem to contradict one another. But, in fact, Paul says, ‘Faith can save apart from works of the law’, and James says, ‘Faith cannot save without the works of faith. ‘The two are therefore complementary.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 3 — James 2:1-13

Study 3 From the Book of James is: James 2:1-13

1.     Verses 1-7. On what five grounds (three general and two particular) does James condemn the snobbish conduct described in Verses 2, 3? With verse 4, cf. 4:11. We, too, believe in the ‘Lord of glory’. Are we free from the preoccupation with what people have rather than what they are? Do we love and learn from ‘the rich in faith’?

2.     Verse 8:13. ‘This partiality business is just a minor matter.? How does James deal with this sterile objection? Why, in a life which may otherwise appear to be law-abiding, is one form of sin, like partiality, so serious?

Notes

1.     Verse 12. Our freedom is not freedom from the obligations and moral law; it is freedom to fulfil (verse 18) the just requirements of the law.

2.     Verse 13b. Mercy triumphs over (not justice but) judgement. The same word is translated. ‘condemnation’ in 5:12. Mercy will finally triumph because when the merciless are condemned, the merciful will be forgiven.

  

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Search The Scriptures —Study 2 — James 1:19-27

Study 2  From the Book of James is: James 1:19-27

It is characteristic of James to pass from one paragraph to another by repetition of a key-word. Here, having spoken of God’s word in regeneration (verse 18) he goes on to speak of the place God’s word—as expressing His will—should have in the believers’ life.

1. What are the possible hindrances and dangers which may prevent God’s word from taking root and bearing fruit in our lives?
2. ‘Meekness’ (verse 21) is not to be confused with inactivity. What lessons does James’ illustration enforce concerning our reaction to God’s word and His law? With verse 25, cf. Lk 8:15. How does your religion stands up to James practical tests (verse 26f)?

Notes

1. Verse 25. ‘Looks into’: literally ‘peers closely at’; cf. Jn. 20:5, 11; 1 Peter 1:12. ‘The law of liberty’: cf. Rom. 8:2. The Christian gospel is a ‘law of liberty’ because God’s spirit creates within the hearts of those who receive it the will and power to obey God. So, God’s law becomes an inner constraint and is no longer chiefly an internal restraint.
2. Verse 27. ‘Religion’: the world means the outward expression of faith. This is the ritualism which God loves’ says James ‘to visit orphans…’                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    LINKTO THE VERSES LISTED                      

Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — James 1:1-18

Study 1 From the Book of James is: James 1:1-18

A distinction is drawn in this passage between ‘trials’ (verse 2, 12), which may have positive effects (cf 1 Pet. 1:7), and ‘temptation’ (verses 13f.) which is the enticement to evil conceived within the human heart.

1.     Verses 2-7, 12. What is our mental attitude to trials to be. What is their purpose and goal? In trying situations wisdom (cf. 3:17) us be necessary. How in particular is this wisdom to be obtained?

2.     Verses 13-15. What is the origin of temptation, and what are the inevitable products of yielding to it? How can we avoid being deceived, and gain strength to overcome?

3.     Verses 9-11, 16-18. Contrast the impermanence of men, poor and rich alike, with the changeless consistency of God our Father. What also is God’s will for us, and what means does He use to fulfil it? How should these truths influence our attitude to life?

Notes

2.     Verse 17b. The eternal Source of light is not, like the heavenly bodies, subject to variation or eclipse.

3.     Verse 18. ‘A kind of first fruits’: the first fruits were evidence that the harvest had begun, and promise of more to follow.                             

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Search The Scriptures —Study 0 — Introduction of James

Study 0  From the Book of James is: The Introduction of  the Book of James

It is generally believed that this letter was written by James, the brother of our Lord. During Christ’s life on earth he was an unbeliever (Jn 7:5), but was converted when Jesus appeared to him after His resurrection (1 Cor. 15:7). He was austere in disposition and practical in character. In the book of Acts (see 12:17; 15:13-21; 21:18 and also Gal. 2:9) he appears as leader of the church at Jerusalem. He was killed by the Jews about AD 61.

The letter addressed to the ‘twelve tribes in the dispersion’ (1:1), that is, to fellow-Jews living outside Palestine. It is terse and forceful, yet vivid and dramatic in style. It begins and end abruptly, to encourage those who were passing through a period of trial and suffering; but at the same time rebukes such failings as profession of faith without the practice of it, sins of speech, strife and envying, eagerness to take the positions of teachers, and lack of steadfast endurance. He urges his readers to the ‘doers of the word, and not hearers only’, to express their Christian faith not in outward formality and barren profession, but by seeking to obey from the heart God’s perfect law of liberty in the manifold relationships of life.

The central thought is that ‘faith apart from works is barren’ (2:20). Justification is by faith, but the faith that justifies is a living faith which, by an inherent irrepressible necessity, must produce good works, or express itself in active self-committal and obedience.