Proverbs 4 by Pastor Mark Hudson Proverbs 4 begins with the father speaking to his son.  In Proverbs, this is not advice but commandments (v. 4). The father reflects on the time when he was a son who listened to his father.  He listened as an obedient child and urges the same for his son.  The father is encouraging the son to be active in the pursuit of wisdom.  The push is to “keep hold…

Proverbs 3 by Pastor David Groendyk As Pastor Mark mentioned, the book of Proverbs is all about wisdom: what it looks like, where it comes from, and what value it is to us. Chapters 1–9 portray a father pleading with his son to follow it. Chapter 10 through the end of the book are the practical, pithy statements that we all know and love to memorize. Chapter 3 is still in the section that introduces…

Proverbs 2 Devotional By Pastor Lawrence This is a father’s earnest plea to his son both to humbly receive and to zealously seek out the wisdom of heaven. Growing up in a believing home is not only a privilege but often also a challenge, for the worldview that is taught in a Christian home can be radically different than that which is taught by unbelieving or half-heartedly professing Christian parents. And when the child is…

Proverbs 1 by Pastor Mark Hudson The book of Proverbs is probably an edited work of proverbs written by Solomon, Hezekiah, Agur, Lemuel, and possibly others.  We do not know if the names listed originally wrote each proverb or they compiled and edited long standing proverbs.  Solomon, King David's most well-known son, and heir to the throne, was well-know for his wisdom (I Kings 3:5-14; 4:29-34; 5:7,12; 10:1-9, 23-24; 11:41; II Chr 1:7-12; 9:1-8:22-23). This book of…

1 Chronicles 29 Devotional By Pastor Lawrence It’s likely that you’ve heard an expression before similar to this one: “when the man died, his dream died with him,” which is sort of an Ecclesiastes point of view signifying that the life labors and aspirations of a man often come to naught. That frustrating sense of futility that is often associated with our finite works is sometimes set in contrast to God’s will and God’s work…

I Chronicles 28 by Pastor Mark Hudson These last two chapters, are not found in Samuel and Kings, but are just simply fascinating.  The prayer in chapter 29 has been one of my favorites for years.  But let’s examine the structure of these two chapters.  I’m using Richard Pratt’s outline. I’m including chapter 29 since they form a unit. David’s final assembly (28:1-29:25) David assembles leaders (28:1) David’s first speeches and actions (28:2-19) David addresses…

1 Chronicles 27 by Pastor David Groendyk This is certainly not your classic Thanksgiving text! But, believe it or not, there are many reasons from this chapter for Christians to be thankful. To set this chapter in its context, remember that from chapter 23 through chapter 27, David is organizing his leaders and administrators in Jerusalem—first his religious leaders (chs. 23–26), and now his civil administration (ch. 27). We could certainly take away as an…

1 Chronicles 26 Devotional By Pastor Lawrence In order to make preparations for his son Solomon to build and establish the temple of God, David not only gathered all the materials, builders and artisans for its construction but also the men who would be needed to serve in the temple for its daily maintenance and preservation. So in addition to the priests and the Levites responsible for preparing the sacrifices and leading God’s people in…

I Chronicles 25 by Pastor Mark Hudson While this may not be the most riveting reading in the Bible, it does raise a number of questions. The larger context is David’s preparation for Solomon building the temple. Part of David’s preparation included money, supplies, peace due to his military success, bureaucracy, and the extensive worship planning. David left more than gold or silver for Solomon. Richard Pratt provides a number of themes before he begins…

1 Chronicles 24 Devotional By Pastor Lawrence This passage contains another long list of names of men that have long been forgotten but who served a very important purpose in the redemption of God’s people. These direct descendants of Aaron were chosen by God to serve as priests in the temple in Jerusalem. They did not volunteer to serve in this capacity, nor were they elected by the people but were appointed by God to…

1 Chronicles 23 by Pastor David Groendyk Chronicles is full of lists of people. By my count, at least half of the chapters so far in this book have primarily consisted of genealogies and lists, and chapter 23 is one of them. On a practical and historical level, this chapter describes the roles and responsibilities for the Levites (who were assistants to the Aaronic priests) which were now changing slightly since the permanent temple building…

I Chronicles 22 by Pastor Mark Hudson There are four major steps in David’s preparation for building the temple. 17                    David accepts his commission to prepare for Solomon’s temple 18:1-20:8         David secures the nation and collects wealth for the temple 21:1-22:1        David discovers the site of the temple 22:2-19            David’s transfer of the temple project to Solomon So this chapter we discover the last two steps of David’s preparation for building the temple. …

1 Chronicles 21 Devotional By Pastor Lawrence This account of David’s ill-advised census along with its ensuing consequences and the purchase of the land for the temple are all recorded in a parallel passage in 2 Samuel 24. However, the author states in that other instance that it was the Lord himself who incited David to number Israel rather than Satan because his anger was kindled against Israel. The last time we saw the anger…

I Chronicles 20 by Pastor Mark Hudson In chapters 18-20 we see the military victories of David.  Or did I state that incorrectly?  If we keep talking about David, we could be missing the point.  Doesn’t the Bible make it abundantly clear that David, like other great leaders, were flawed, sinful, selfish human beings?  God is the one who is handing out victories to Israel through David. The key verse regarding this is 18:6,13, “The…

1 Chronicles 19 Devotional By Pastor Lawrence Chapters 18-20 serve as evidence that God is keeping his promises to the king in regard to the Davidic covenant described in chapter 17. There God had promised to make David’s name great, to build him a house, to subdue all of his enemies and to give his people a place of rest undisturbed. Thus in addition to David’s victories over the Moabites, the Philistines and the Arameans…

I Chronicles 18 by Pastor Mark Hudson The previous chapter, 17 is a incredibly significant chapter for David.  God revealed to David that God would build him a house which clearly has Messianic overtones.  In chapter 17, God told David He would make a name for him, establish David’s kingdom and provide peace and “subdue all your enemies” (17:10).  David is promised an eternal kingdom but God tells David that “It is not you who…

1 Chronicles 17 by Pastor David Groendyk This chapter is essentially a repeat of 2 Samuel 7, in which God makes his covenant with David, and David responds with a prayer of gratitude. This is easily the high point of David’s reign as king. There are many different promises included in this covenant in verses 1–15, including making a great name for David (v. 8), a place for Israel to dwell in permanently (v. 9),…

1 Chronicles 16 Devotional By Pastor Lawrence Clearly, this is one of the red letter days in the history of Israel with the Ark of the Covenant being brought, in the proper manner, into the city of Jerusalem with great joy in celebration. The festivities would begin with numerous offerings unto the Lord for the Israelites to dedicate their lives unto God and to commemorate their covenant of peace with the Lord. King David then…

I Chronicles 15 by Pastor Mark Hudson In the section covering the return of the Ark from the Philistines that covers chapter 13 to 16, we read in chapter 13, a rather inglorious beginning.  To explain where the ark was and how this event in chapter 13 begins, here is a brief summary concerning the ark.  The ark was captured by the Philistines (I Sam 4:11) but the ark only brought calamity to the house…

1 Chronicles 14 Devotional by Pastor Lawrence After David’s unsuccessful attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem that ended with the death of Uzzah and the new king’s deep humiliation in the previous chapter, the Lord now confirms David’s calling and shows why He has chosen him in the first place. Even though the Lord had abundantly blessed Obed-edom as long the ark remained in his household outside Jerusalem, He still had…

I Chronicles 13 by Pastor Mark Hudson The author of Chronicles (Ezra?) is concerned to show David as the true king of Israel.  The author is also teaching, preaching and encouraging a post-exilic community to return to Jerusalem and restore worship that God has ordained.  Therefore, the author is not merely covering history like an unbiased reporter (as if one exists).  The author is concerned to show why David is the legitimate King and how…