Chronicles

Chronicles Homework:

1. What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

The book of Chronicles was originally written for the people of the Judah as they were coming out of their exile to Babylon. They actually were treated very well under the babylonian rule and were not oppressed. In fact, not all of the people even chose to come out of exile and become their own people again. Some stayed behind. But most of them were realizing that there was actually hope to become a nation of their own once more (2 Chronicles 16:9). It was as if they were seeing a light at the end of the tunnel after years of a steep downward slope. 

2. What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

Many believe the author to be the prophet Ezra. It was written during his time and the writing style is actually very similar to the self titled prophetic book. If this is true, we can see a great insight into the mind of Ezra the prophet. We know that he had hope for God’s people. The Chronicles account of the fall of the kingdoms has a very different outlook than that of Kings. Ezra is portraying hope to the people, not guilt for their sin (2 Chronicles 30:9). He includes many specific details that the other accounts failed to mention, such as the redemption of Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:10-13). We see that Ezra was cheering for Judah in a sense. 

3. What are the main themes and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the main idea?

As mentioned before, Chronicles has a much more positive outlook on the fall of the nation than the account in Kings. Instead of focusing on the evil that was done, the author paints a picture of what is good and righteous within the kings, instilling hope in the readers (2 Chronicles 27:2). It’s as if the reader is seeing the events of the fall from God’s point of view. Stepping back, the people were able to look and see God’s hand in every event leading to their downfall instead of simply wondering why the Lord had abandoned them. Instead of showing the people what they did to get there, they see that there is still hope (2 Chronicles 23-24). 

In fact, there are many passages in the book of Chronicles that differ from the similar account in Kings, showing a new perspective. We see in (1 Chronicles 21:1) that the people recognize Satan as the one to cause David to sin when he takes the census of his people. In Kings, the people thought it was the Lord himself. But in looking back, they see that it was an enemy and not by the hand of God.

Likewise, looking into the account of Kings in which they describe Solomon’s request for wisdom, the author implies that it was merely a dream that Solomon awoke from. In this way, some could say that this dream inspired Solomon to pursue wisdom on his own. However, in the book of Chronicles, it isn’t describe as a dream at all from which he can awake, but is an act of God alone (2 Chronicles 1:7). The people look back and see that his wisdom could only have been from God. 

They also gain a new perspective on the death of Uzzah as he touched the ark. In the original story, it is portrayed as unjust in a sense. But there is clarity for the people in 1 Chronicles 15:13 when David explains “Because you Levites did not carry the Ark the first time, the anger of the Lord our God burst out against us.”

These examples show that the people are beginning to look through their history and see God working through it, no longer feeling abandoned by God in their circumstances. 

Overall, through the book of Chronicles, we see that every decision, whether good or bad, big or small, can change the course of the nation. There are some very bad kings, such as Manasseh, that when they repent, the Lord is pleased to redeem them (2 Chronicles 33:10-13). In the same way, there are some good kings, like Uzziah, who let the power go to their head. Although seeking after the Lord, he become prideful and entered the temple to do the work designated for the priests. In his disobedience, he was inflicted with leprosy and his reign was essentially ended (2 Chronicles 26:19-21). The Lord looks at the heart and every decision made can change the course of the nation, especially as a leader. The king is supposed to lead the people towards God.

Chronicles opens a whole new perspective of the history of the Kingdoms as the people themselves begin to look back and see the hand of God through everything, instilling them with hope instead of despair. 

4. What is the primary reason this book was written?

Chronicles was written to restore hope to the people as they were coming out of exile in Babylon. Although downcast with everything taken from them, the author wanted to encourage the people that they could still be a nation under their God. He is still with them and always has been (2 Chronicles 30:9).

5. What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God?

Through Chronicles, we get a look into the extent that the Lord is wiling to forgive. Unlike Kings, we have a special insight in Chapter 33 of 2 Chronicles in which we actually see redemption and forgiveness for the wicked king Manasseh who is often referred to as the worst king to ever lead the people. Yet even through the vile way he lead the nation, the Lord provides forgiveness. As the original reader, this picture of God might seem completely unexpected, yet relatable. They look back at their downfall as a nation and see only depravity and mistakes, but through reading Chronicles, they see that the Lord is forgiving, which instills hope. 

We also see that the Lord is Sovereign through the entirety of the book. The people would most likely have felt abandoned by God, devastated in the loss of their nation. But in looking back through Chronicles, we see that the Lord had his hand in everything. He sent prophet after prophet to warn them. He was with them the whole time, hoping for them to turn around. His faithfulness is unlike any of the pagan Gods of their time. 

6. What does this book show you about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

There is hope for the people, even while they are in exile with no foreseeable way out. Throughout all of this, the Lords favor and love for the people never leaves. He sends prophets to encourage the people towards God. Every step of this has been within God’s plan for redemption of his people. 

7. Personal Application

It was really interesting to me reading Kings and Chronicles back to back. I actually felt like I was reading it as the original reader would. It was actually hard for me to read Kings. To be honest, I didn’t enjoy Kings at all. It depressed me a little. There was so much evil in the eyes of the Lord. Chronicles however gave me so much hope! I absolutely loved it! 

And it’s so cool to put yourself into the eyes of the original reader. More than anything, I felt the Lord reminding me through both accounts being compared to mimic the good in history, not the bad. Reading Chronicles, we are given examples of what it means to do what is righteous in the eyes of the Lord. And like the people of Judah, this encouraged me and inspired me to live righteously before the Lord. 

It was a very cool moment for me to think that the Lord is speaking the same things to me that he intended to speak to his people through this book. The BIble is such a living, breathing thing. God’s sovereignty in preserving his word is just so humbling. I can’t believe I get to read this like the people of Judah did. 

8. Point of Passion 

It’s really interesting to look at the relationship between Hezekiah and Manasseh. On one hand, you have a king that is said to be one of the most righteous kings since David. His legacy was meant to be a lasting one that honored the Lord. But even with the example he set, his son became almost equally famous for being one of the worst kings they have ever had. 

Family blood lines do not result in your children being brought up right. You cannot just assume that your kids are watching you and wanting to mimic what you do. I think that’s something that is lost on families in the west. This is especially true with Christian families. They assume that their kids will be raised in church, watch their parents, and love Jesus. But this isn’t so.