The opening lines of 1 Chron. 9:1 and the end of chapter 10 remind the Jews returning from exile that unfaithfulness, breach of faith–treachery against God and the covenant–resulted in the exile of Judah to Babylon, and was the end of Saul’s one king dynasty. After all of the time and effort to list the people of God, to keep track and lose none of them, the writer reveals an irony of the relationship of God and man: He is always finding us to bless and preserve us. We are always fighting His wisdom and blessing, running away to descend to a pit of despair from which we cry out to Him, and it all starts again. The bright spot for the chronicler is David, the son of Jesse. He begins the eternal dynasty. What a wonderful encouragement to those reading and listening. They fell, but do not have to stay down. They left God but He never left them. He brought them back for a greater, wonderful purpose. Now comes their time to choose. What will they do? Will they be faithful? Will they endure? They try to do it on their own, eventually leaving God in a way less obvious but just as destructive. They will not consult the witches as Saul, yet neither will they consult their God, rather they will murder Him.
Jesus, son of David, encourages His small band that even though He must leave and the world will hate them, they will not be left alone. Another irony ensues here. This time it seems that God is leaving, an apparent abandonment. Worse yet, He says that they will be hated, even pursued. Yet Jesus must leave so that the great, pervasive, and perhaps even closer presence of God in His Spirit will come to them. What will they do? Will they be faithful? Will they endure? They do.
Paul reminds us that the things which were written in the past were written for our learning, to help us stay strong, to help us endure, Rom. 15:4. The chronicler tells the returning exiles, and tells us, we have a great and magnificent heritage as the people of God. John tells his readers, during a time of spiritual warfare, that they are not alone–although it may seem that way. They have part in the great plan and work of God to redeem the world of men, to enter a Promised Land greater than all. Today we will choose. What will we do? Will we be faithful? Will we endure?
Prayer: Holy, Righteous Father, in Jesus’ name we kneel to You. In this day we choose faith and trust in You. Help us by Your Spirit to live with confidence in Your great plan, and promises, to know Your presence, and to do Your will.
