Why look at Chronicles?

Here is the first in our series on 1 and 2 Chronicles. There’s a video to watch or podcast to listen to with outline notes to accompany below.

There’s also some discussions for personal reflection and discussion below too.

• Why do we want to study the Old Testament?

1. All Scripture is God breathed and useful … (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
2. All Scripture points to Christ (Luke 24)
3. It’s our story too (Romans 11)

• Setting Chronicles in context

1. In our Bibles, The Old Testament
   1. Pentateuch/Torah (5 books)
   1. History books (12 books)
   1. Wisdom Literature (5 books)
   1. Major prophets ( 5 books)
   1. Minor Prophets (12 books)

• In the Hebrew Scriptures
  • Torah
  • Prophets
  • Writings

• Chronicles appears as part of the History books in our modern Bibles but was part of The Writings in the Hebrew Bible.  In fact, it closes off the end of the Hebraic Scriptures. 

• What’s in a name?

We associate “Chronicles” with the writing of an alternative history.  Perhaps an alternative version of events to Samuel/Kings.  We may also be hit by the long lists of dynasties and family trees at the beginning.

Consider the other names

1. “Things left out” (Greek/Septuagint)
2. “The words/things/matters of those days (Hebrew)

• What’s it about?

It gives the history of Israel right through until the return from Exile. This also helps us date it.

Matters/words – it’s not just a retelling of events, it’s “kerygmatic history” -the writer is preaching. 

• How do we read it?

We will want to look out for the following.

1. What was God saying to God’s people at the time of the events recorded?
2. What was God saying to God’s people who received the book in its complete form (post exile)?
3. How does the book apply to Christ?
4. What does what we read about what God said and did then, applied through Christ, say to us now? 

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Discussion Questions

1. What arguments might there be against studying the Old Testament?  How would you respond to them?
2. Why do you think 1 and 2 Chronicles are in the Bible?
3. What do you already know about these books of the Bible?
4. What does history teach us about God?