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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This is a Blog for those interested in following hard after His heart. Those willing to strive to live a moment-by-moment life as we go through the transformation process with Him. It is not an easy life, but the Father expects each of us to become an offering for His pleasure. So, if this is you, then let’s journey together hand in hand. I am humbled that you have chosen to walk with me. Thanks!
01 October, 2017
30 September, 2017
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.
29 September, 2017
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.
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.
- 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?
- 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?
- Verse 3b. NEB Translates, ‘You have piled up wealth in an age that is near its close’
- Verse 6. The reference is probably not to Christ, as some suppose (cf. Acts 7:52), so much as to prevailing social conditions.
- Verse 9. ‘Do not grumble’: the verse recalls 4:11, 12, where open criticism is discouraged; notice the similar legal language.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
28 September, 2017
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.
27 September, 2017
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.
26 September, 2017
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.
25 September, 2017
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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