Title: “Repentance Still Works”
Subtitle: An Overview of 1st & 2nd Chronicles
Series: Cover to Cover // A Year-Long Adventure In God’s Word
MESSAGE NOTES…
Overview - Books of 1st & 2nd Chronicles
Books: 13 & 14 of 66
Author of Kings: Unknown
Type of Literature: Historical Narrative Chronological Book
Samuel and Kings vs. Chronicles:
Samuel & Kings: More Biographical
Chronicles: More Statistical
Samuel & Kings: More Personal
Chronicles: More Official
Samuel & Kings: Gives the history of both Israel and Judah after the divide.
Chronicles: Gives the history of only Judah after the divide.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, …then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. —2 Chronicles 7:14
Big Idea: “God challenges His people to
past (how?) through
Four Challenges to Turn Things Around:
Challenge #1:
Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people…and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD. —2 Chronicles 34:27 (NIV)
Challenge #2:
Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain…and God granted his request.
—1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NIV)
Challenge #3:
Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. —2 Chronicles 20:3-4 (NIV)
Challenge #4:
“Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.” —1 Kings 21:29 (NIV)
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, …then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. — 2 Chronicles 7:14
Bonus: Where is Jesus in Chronicles?
While Jesus isn’t explicitly mentioned by name in the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles, they foreshadow and point to Jesus as the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant and the promised Messiah, the eternal king, through tracing the lineage of David and emphasizing the hope of a future king.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Davidic Covenant and Lineage: The books of Chronicles focus on the history of the Davidic kings, tracing their lineage back to David, with whom God made a covenant promising an eternal kingdom through his descendants.
Fulfillment in Jesus: Jesus, as a descendant of David, is seen as the ultimate fulfillment of this covenant and the promised Messiah, the eternal king who reigns forever.
Hope for a Future King: The books of Chronicles end with an incomplete sentence, suggesting a hope for a future king who will lead out of exile and establish a lasting kingdom, which is fulfilled in Jesus.
Emphasis on the Temple and Priesthood: Chronicles also emphasizes the importance of the temple and the priesthood, foreshadowing the need for a perfect priest and sacrifice, which Jesus fulfills.