1 Chronicles

AUTHOR:

Ezra, according to Jewish tradition

AUDIENCE:

The exiles who returned from captivity

PURPOSE:

To unify God’s people, remind them of their history, and teach them about genuine worship.

Written at a time when God’s people were only a shadow of what they had once been, this book powerfully communicated hope to the Jewish remnant as they sought to reunite and rebuild. The chronicler reminded them that despite their sense of insignificance and weakness, God had been with them since the beginning and would remain with them to the very end. Through a series of genealogies, the book traces the history of God’s people from Adam (1:1) to the returned exiles (9:2-34), reminding them of their connection with those who had gone before and assuring them of their secure place in God’s ongoing plan. Not only had God cared for his people through their ups and downs, he would continue calling them to participate in worship and service. While the topic of suffering is not directly mentioned, their painful period of exile was not forgotten, as evidenced by their desire to never repeat it.

SUFFERING AND DISABILITY THEMES

  floral bullet  God never fails. When we struggle to see God in our present circumstances, it may be because we have forgotten how God has proven his faithfulness in the past (Ps 77). His plans for creating and redeeming a people began with Adam and will carry through to the day of Christ’s return (Phil 1:6). Even at the lowest point in the life of our family, church, or nation, we can trust that God is God from beginning to end (Ps 90:2) and that his love never fails (Ps 103).

  floral bullet  Prayer is critical to survival. This book is full of prayer. From the short prayer of Jabez (1 Chr 4:10) to David’s extended prayers (17:16-27; 29:10-19), it is clear that God hears and answers prayer. God’s people prayed in times of trouble as well as in times of joyous celebration. And God responded in ways that encourage every believer to “never stop praying” (1 Thes 5:17)!