When we see the book of Chronicles in the Old Testament, our eyes may be tempted to gloss over this Old Testament text. Trying to read the first couple of chapters does not make it easier, as these are mostly family records that could seem as if they have no relevance today, but I would argue otherwise. Human societies and cultures have often wrestled with two equally important questions: Where have we come from and where are we going? When you are living in exile, in a foreign land not your own, these questions become even more vital to answer. Israel as a country and a people were only starting to rebuild their civilization when Chronicles was authored, and so these questions had to have answers, which also help us understand our place as God’s people today. Chronicles gives us these answers.  

1 Chronicles looks at the very beginning of humanity, Adam, and “chronicles” or tells the story of Israel all the way up until King David’s death, but this is not the focus. Rather this is happening in the background as the book transitions from 1 to 2 Chronicles (they were once one book). As 2 Chronicles begins, jubilation is the attitude of the day, for David’s son Solomon is crowned king, and Solomon represents the ideal: he is God’s choice ruling over God’s people in peace. Yet, this event is coupled alongside the other high point of the book: the dedication and building of the Temple. At its completion, God’s very presence is dwelling in the Temple, and the entire picture is beautiful! The entire purpose for God’s creation of a people to call His own has hit its crescendo! God is dwelling with His chosen people, ruled by His chosen king, and purposed for being a light for all nations to see what it means to be ruled by the Lord on earth as it is in heaven, the kingdom of God (sound familiar?). It all starts at the center with God and builds outward. God is to be worshipped. The king and the levites serve as ministers to the people, providing both spiritual and material needs, who in turn, act as ministers and “priests” bringing God to the world and the world to God. This is a beautiful picture of what the Kingdom of God looked like at one point, and points the way to what it will look like in the future.

While this is the peak of Israel’s glory days, it doesn’t last forever. The nation is soon torn asunder by pride, anger, and overall turning away from Him. The rest of 2 Chronicles tells the story of different kings, some of whom came very close to this ideal, and others who strayed far from it. Eventually, the now-two different kingdoms of Israel and Judah each were invaded, the temple destroyed, the kings overthrown, and the people sent into exile, but just like the book of Kings, Chronicles ends on a note of hope. Cyrus, king of Persia allows the Jews (from the kingdom of Judah) to return to the Promised Land! Despite wickedness, despite exile, despite seeming as though all hope is lost, God’s promises are always faithful as He carefully orchestrates this return of His people so that a new Davidic King can come from them who will be the King of Kings, our Lord Jesus. God’s purpose to redeem humanity continues. For us as Christians, it is important to know this history of Israel as it relates to us in our faith. For God dwelt in another temple, not made of brick and mortar, but flesh and blood, and like Solomon, He is a King. Solomon was called “son of God” but this was a metaphor, yet for this King, it is a very literal term. 

Chronicles also answers one more vital question: who are really God’s people? Is it ethnic Jews only? Those who are circumcised? Or is the tent a bit wider? Turns out, God’s people are any and all who call upon His name for redemption, which is a pretty wide net. His mission is to the entire world, and now We are His ministers, serving in His kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven” until one day when the two finally meet. 

Your Brother,

Craig.