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Lesson One1 and 2 Chronicles: God's Perspective on His Story5 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson TwoEzra and Nehemiah: Up From the Ashes5 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson ThreeFrom Parchments to Books - The Old Testament Text5 Activities1 Assessment
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Course Wrap-UpCourse Completion1 Activity1 Assessment
Participants 74
Discussion Questions
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In what ways does the author of 1 and 2 Chronicles give a special perspective on the time period already covered in 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings? Why does he offer this perspective?
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The chronicler reviews the history of both the united and divided kingdoms in a way intended to encourage the returning Jewish exiles in restoration to God. He emphasizes the positive actions and decisions in Israel’s history that would be worthy guides to restore fellowship with God.
I used to think that the chronicler sugar-coated Israel’s history when compared to the history given in the four books of Samuel and Kings. After the study I have done so far for this course, I realize that he focused on those things that were worthy of repetition.
The peace and security that we Christians experience rest on God’s grace. His grace is not strictly a New Testament concept. God’s grace and His desire to restore His people to Himself undergirds the entire Old Testament. It is His desire for restoration that inspires the chronicler in his writing.
The chronicler’s main concern is the restoration of the people to God. He did not browbeat Israel with a recount of her past failures. Instead, he chose to present examples of those actions and decisions that brought Israel closer to God. He built on the optimism sparked by the opportunity for a fresh start for the nation of Israel.
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The chronicler is pointing out that God was through with the nation of Israel especially the tribe of Judah. He uses the events of the era that it covers to encourage the remnant of people that were in the land along with the returning captives that they needed to return to worshipping the one true God and restoring His temple as He was restoring His people.
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The perspective the Chronicler gives is one of hope by pointing out the good things that have happened. The world knows the bad, they see and feel it pretty deeply. It takes a special person to find the positives in such dark places. Having that focus helps to bring people out of the darkness and into the light. All is not lost. We can still get back on the course towards God because we see an inkling of what He is doing.
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He sates that the happenings were before the exile ,after Israel’s exile and then how God after a season would come to have them released so that he could begin they’re restoration as a nation chosen to live morally for him. The chronicler wrote in the present and past tense of the story to bring you up to how the story ends.
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Emphasis is on the kingdom of Judah, starting with the lineage from Adam, including Saul, David, and Solomon. Even more so it follows the Jews that return from exile from Babylon, whereas the Kings show the built up and happening of exile – it is written from the perspective of restoration following the exile. Restoration is always the theme with God and His desire, not punishment for disobedience.
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One of the themes we see in 1 and 2 Chronicles is that of worship. What is the importance of worship? How do you worship God?
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Worship is vital, to individuals as well as a religious community. It brings people of like faith/beliefs together so they can give praise to God and also to strengthen the people to face the world and its temptations. I love to sing during worship – so many descriptions in Scripture about Heaven’s occupants singing about and to God – and to read scripture to be led, fortified, and to reveal aspects of God.
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I think the importance of worship is so that we can be in line with the reality around us, not so we can ask God to bend reality to our liking. I worship through song, dance, stating what I am thankful for, and spending time outdoors.
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Worship allows God to hear your praise, sorrows and joys.
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We worship God by giving all that belongs to Him and that means all.
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It is important to worship God because worship allows us to focus upon who God is and what God has done for us. It allows us to see the vast difference between our finite self and a holy and infinite God. When we worship God our understanding of God and our relationship with him grows. I worship God in my life through songs, attending church regularly, prayer, and trying to live a life in all aspects that honors God.
