Finding Jesus in Chronicles
They say that repetition is the key to learning; undoubtedly, that’s why Chronicles is so powerful. Once you get through the monotony of the kings you’re relieved only to find these next books repetitive. Why is that?
The two books of Chronicles duplicate, yes, however, in a positive way. They bring us back to the life of David focusing on the southern kingdom of Judah. The Chronicler, or historian, probably wrote during the Babylonian captivity to give the history of the Hebrew nation (beginning with Adam) in chapters one through nine and the rest of the chapters to bring encouragement and hope that one day they will return to Israel.
David is the focus because of the Messianic hope it foreshadowed yet these books also follow Solomon and the kingdom divided. It reviews the Davidic Covenant and David’s Prayer in 1 Chron. 17 in an effort to remind the people of two things: return and restore.
The Chronicler followed the kings with Hezekiah as a pinnacle in 2 Chron. 29-32 as he restored worship in Judah, following the example of his ancestor, David. We see references from the prophets Isaiah and Amos regarding this restoration of worship and also see in the New Testament that it was a foreshadow of the true worship to be experienced when Messiah returns:
… then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness.” (Isaiah 16:5 ESV)
“In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old,” (Amos 9:11 ESV)
Peter has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, “‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.’ (Acts 15:14-18 ESV)
When reading the Chronicles you’ll notice the strong, spiritual component of the writer (possibly Ezra) and his effort to gain the reader’s attention by focusing on prayer, seeking the LORD, and worship, not the sin and rebellion of the kings. We find Jesus in the books of Chronicles through David and the everlasting throne he represents. Remember, Jesus is returning and will sit on that throne forever.
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