Faithful on Fridays Blog

Finding Jesus: Chronicles

These two amazing books of the Old Testament, taken as one, point us back to the spiritual hope of Israel: the Messiah. They focus on the southern kingdom of Judah  where David, and eventually Jesus, descend from. The Chronicler, or author, probably wrote from the Babylonian captivity to give the history of the Hebrew nation beginning with Adam (in the first nine chapters) in an effort to bring encouragement and hope that one day they will return to their land. David is the focus of the Chronicles because of the Messianic hope he foreshadowed even though these books follow Solomon and the kingdom divided. Interestingly, there’s no mention of the exiled and forgotten northern tribes. Chronicles reviews the Davidic Covenant and David’s Prayer in 1 Chron. 17 in an effort to focus attention on God’s promises: return and restore.

The Chronicler follows the books of the kings with Hezekiah as the rallying point in chapters 29-32 of the second book. He was a great king who restored worship in Judah, following the example of 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

Simeon 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

Notice the spiritual nature of the Chronicler as you read through his books and his effort to gain the reader’s attention by stressing prayer, seeking the LORD, worship, and anticipation of the Promised One who will reign forever. We find Jesus loud and clear in these books as we remember that royalty flowed in His veins and we share in that genealogy as adopted children of God. He is the returning King and we’ll rule and reign alongside Him.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 ESV