Christ In The Old Testament: 1ST CHRONICLES
The HISTORIC
Let’s delve into the fabric of History as documented in 1st Chronicles and see how Christ displayed in the Background.
PURPOSE
The books known as 1st and 2nd Chronicles were originally a single composition, and their purpose was twofold. In the tumultuous times following the Israelite exile in Babylon, they sought to address crucial questions. Did the returned Israelites still have a place in God’s plan, and were His promises still relevant? Moreover, they pondered the significance of religious and political institutions and sought guidance from their past to avoid repeating past mistakes. These questions are answered through a selective compilation of religious history, affirming the enduring covenant God made with David for an eternal dynasty (2 Samuel 7:16). Despite the absence of a Davidic king on the throne, they remained God’s chosen people, awaiting the restoration of the monarchy. In the meantime, they were instructed to fulfill God’s requirements, including proper sacrifices and priesthood.
The Chronicles also highlighted the apostasy of later kings as the reason for the Babylonian exile (2 Chronicles 36:16).
STORY
Key Themes: Davidic dynasty, Temple, Blessing of obedience, Punishment of disobedience.
Timeline: During David’s reign (circa 1010 - 970 BC).
1st Chronicles begins with genealogies that trace the lineage from Adam to a period after the Babylonian exile, around 450 BC. The forty-year rule of David marked the blossoming of Israelite culture.
ORIGINAL HISTORICAL SETTING
Author: Unknown, possibly Ezra.
Date of writing: Approximately 450 BC.
First Audience and Destination: Israelites in Jerusalem after their return from exile.
Occasion: The specific reasons behind Chronicles' writing remain unclear due to uncertain authorship and date. The author drew from various sources, including the books of Samuel and Kings, official court documents,"The Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel,” and writings from prophets like Samuel, Nathan, Gad, Jehu, and Isaiah, as well as ancient genealogies and temple records.
ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY
Following extensive genealogical introductions, the Chronicles recount David's forty-year rule, marked by God's blessings upon Jerusalem, the priesthood, and preparations for the temple's construction.
CHRIST IN 1ST CHRONICLES
The extensive genealogies at the outset of 1st Chronicles emphasize God’s care for individuals, highlighting the intrinsic worth of each person created in His image.
This book underscores God's sovereignty in executing His kingdom plans, with an unconditional covenant with David (1 Chronicles 17) mirroring the magnificence of His covenant with Abraham. It portrays His desire for worship according to His revealed ways.
The heart of 1st Chronicles revolves around the Messianic promise of a son of David to rule over Israel (1 Chronicles 17). The lineage of Israel's kings is traced (1 Chronicles 3), showcasing God's faithfulness in maintaining a Davidic heir, even in the face of exile.
This son of David is depicted as the eternally loved son of God (1 Chronicles 17:13), echoing the passages below.
“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:32–33, NIV)
“For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father?” Or again,“I will be his Father, and he will be my Son?” (Hebrews 1:5, NIV)
David’s prayer of thanksgiving in 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 finds resonance in Jesus Christ in Revelation 5:12-13.
