Category: Bible Journey

I Chronicles 17-21: Good Covenant, Bad Choice

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(17) Once again we are presented with the Davidic Covenant:

God was with David through all his trials (v8).  When have you especially seen that in your life?  How might his presence encourage you today?

We spend a lot of effort trying to make a name for ourselves, but God will make a name for David (v8).  What does that suggest for us?

God will subdue all of David’s enemies (v8-10).  What battles are you facing today that you need to look to the Lord for help?

(17) David wants to build God a house, but God will build David a house, raising up one of David’s offspring.  List all the things that God promised for this offspring in v11-14.

How are they fulfilled in part by Solomon?  How are they finally fulfilled in Jesus?

(17) How does David respond in v16-27 to God’s promises and blessings?  What applications might we draw for our lives?

(18-20) How do these chapters flesh out God’s promise in 17:8-10?

(21) God wins victory after victory for David, but what does David start to trust in (v1-2)?

When do we tend to look to our own strength instead of God?

How did Joab respond?  When have you been in a similar situation?  What should we do in that situation?

(21) David’s sin affects his people, just like our sin affects the people around us.  What choices of punishment does God give David?  Which does he choose and why?

Why does the plague stop?  What does David offer to do?  What is David told to do instead?

What does David insist upon?  What does his example suggest for us when we have sinned?

(21) Read 22:1.  Why is chapter 21 included in I Chronicles?

Reflections on I Chronicles 14-16

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

David finishes moving the ark to Jerusalem – this time moving it the proper way.

  • Praise – As they moved the ark, David and the people were rejoicing before the Lord. Many of the Levites were assigned to sing praises and thanks to God.  David gives them a song of praise to sing.  How can David’s song help you praise God today?
  • Seek the Lord – Part of David’s song calls us to seek the Lord (16:10-11). We are to seek him from our hearts.  We are to seek his strength and his presence.  Are you seeking the Lord like this?

Reflections on I Chronicles 11-13

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

David becomes king and tries to move the ark to Jerusalem.

  • Rejoicing – As the ark was being moved, David and the people were rejoicing before the Lord. At what special event have you rejoiced before the Lord?  How is rejoicing in the Lord part of your daily life?
  • Fear – The ark was not supposed to be carried in a cart, nor was it to be touched. When Uzzah touched it, he died on the spot.  The celebration ended.  David was afraid.  Do you have a proper reverence for the Lord?

I Chronicles 11-16: Life & Worship Before The Lord

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(11-12) Three times we read that Israel made David their king “according to the word of the Lord” (11:3, 11:10, 12:23).  What is the significance of that phrase?

What would it look like for us to live this way?

(14) What did David do each time the Philistines attacked?  Who then received credit for the victory?

For what situations in your life do you need to seek God’s guidance?

What are some ways God guides us today (14:10, Psalm 119:105, Proverb 9:10, 20:18, etc.)?

(13-15) How would you describe their worship in 13:5-8?

What was missing (13:9-12, 15:13)?

What did Israel do differently the second time as they sought to bring the ark to Jerusalem (15:11-15)?

What do both stories teach us about how we should worship today?

(15) Again, describe their worship in v25-28.  What does this suggest about David’s heart?  What does v29 tell us about Michal’s heart?  Why is the heart so important for worship?

(16) What words are used to describe their worship (v8-13, 35-36)?

What reasons are given for worshiping the Lord (v14-34)?

How might you use this psalm in your personal worship?

(16) Verse 11 calls us to a three-fold seeking.  How do we seek the Lord?  Why would we seek the Lord?

In what situations do you need to seek his strength?

God is always with us, so what does it mean to seek his presence?  What would our lives look like if we sought his presence continually?

Reflections on I Chronicles 6-10

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

The genealogies continue, before retelling Saul’s death:

  • Return – Chapter 9 gives the genealogy of those who returned from exile. The point of all these genealogies is to show that the returned exiles belong to Israel.  The promises to Israel belong to them.  In the same way, we celebrate our adoption as the children of God.  The promises of God belong to us through Jesus Christ.
  • Broken faith – Chapter 9 begins with a reminder of why Judah went into exile (v1). It is the same reason Saul was rejected as king (10:13-14).  Why?  Because they broke faith with God.  They did not obey God or seek his direction, but went their own way.  Are there ways that you are acting like Judah and Saul?

Reflections on I Chronicles 1-5

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Our passage today consists of genealogies.

  • Davidic Line – Chapter 3 gives the genealogy of David’s descendants. Note that it continues beyond the exile (v17-24).  Judah may have gone into exile, but David’s line continues.  This would have been a great hope to Israel.  And in this line will come our Savior in whom we place our hope.
  • Trust or not – The two and a half tribes east of the Jordan cried out to God for help in a battle, and God helped them because they trusted in him (5:18-22). But later they were taken into captivity because they broke faith with God – they went after other gods (5:23-26).  What about you?  Are you looking to God, or chasing after idols?

I Chronicles 1-10: Walking By Faith

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(1-9) I Chronicles begins with nine long chapters of genealogies.  What is the purpose of all these genealogies (see Ezra 2:59-63 and Matthew 1:1-17)?

What should we not do with the genealogies (I Timothy 1:3-4)?

(1-10) A repeated refrain in these first ten chapters is that the people broke faith with God.  How did the following people break faith with God and what happened?

  • Achan (2:7) –
  • Tribe of Manasseh (5:25) –
  • Tribe of Judah (9:2) –
  • Saul (10:13) –

How might we be tempted to break faith with God in these same ways today?

What are some other ways that we might be tempted to break faith with God?

(1-10) Despite the many who broke faith with God, many people in these genealogies showed incredible faith in God.  How did each of the following show their faith in God and how did God respond?

  • Noah (1:4) –
  • Abraham (1:28) –
  • Joseph (2:2) –
  • Moses (6:3) –
  • Aaron (6:49) –
  • Joshua (7:27) –
  • Boaz (2:12) –
  • David (2:15) –
  • Jonathan (8:33) –

In what ways might we follow their example today?

In what situations might we struggle to trust God?  How can the example of those who have gone before us (and God’s response) encourage us in our faith?

Reflections on Job 40-42

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Job says he will be quiet, and God begins to speak again.  Job repents and God restores him.  Observe:

  • Everything belongs to God – Since God created everything, everything is his (41:11). All that you have is really his.  Anything you might give to God was already his before you gave it.  If God owns everything you have, how should this affect your attitude toward things?  Your use of things?  Be specific.
  • Repentance – Job has found fault with God, even condemning God (40:2, 8). Job acknowledges that he spoke of what he didn’t understand (42:3).  He shuts his mouth (40:4-5), and repents (42:6).  Is there something you are judging God for – some way you are finding fault with God?  Will you humbly repent before him?

Reflections on Job 36-39

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Elihu begins to speak of God’s power and wisdom in creation, and then God himself takes up the refrain.

  • God’s power and wisdom – Statement upon statement followed by question upon question overwhelmingly points to God’s awesome power and wisdom over creation. Ponder these words.  Go outside and see.  Be in awe.  Fall down in worship before your Creator.

Job 36-42: God Speaks

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(36) How would you describe Elihu’s attitude (v1-4)?  What warning is there for us?

What is his argument (v5-23)?

(36-37) How would you summarize his words about God in relation to his creation?

(38-41) Finally God speaks.  From where does he speak (38:1)?

How would you describe his words?  What is he doing?

What do God’s words convey about Himself?  About us?

(38-41) Does God explain Job’s suffering?  Does God recount his discussion with Satan from chapters 1-2?

Do God’s words address the issue of suffering at all?  How?

How might his response be helpful for us as we suffer?

(40, 42) How does Job respond?

How should we respond as we read this?

(40, 42) What was Job’s fault in this book (40:6-9)?

How might we share his fault?  Will we repent like he did?

And yet, what does God call him four times in 42:7-8?  How might that encourage you?

(42) What must Job do for his friends?

Who do you know that has been living in folly or that has wronged you that you need to intercede for?

(42) How does the story end?  How will our story end?  How can that encourage us in our suffering?