Yes... I started to read through the bible in 4 months beginning in 1 Chronicles. Why? I just wanted to mix things up a little bit. I've started to read through the whole bible so many times that I usually end up stopping somewhere between 1 Samuel and 2 Kings. Therefore, in order to keep it interesting, I am starting in 1 Chronicles. Deal with it.
Now, in light of keeping things interesting, little did I know that the first 9 chapters of 1 Chronicles are genealogies. That's okay. After trudging through those, the book begins to get a little more interesting. Here are the first 3 significant and relevant instances of evil, suffering, and death that I have come across so far.
1 Chronicles 10:13-14: As they continue their rampage of the Israelites, the Philistines overtake king Saul and his sons. The soldiers slay the sons of Saul, and the archers soon wound king Saul himself. Seeing that his impending death, Saul orders his armor-bearer to kill him with the sword before the Philistines come upon them. After the armor-bearer refused due to great fear, Saul fell on his own sword, thus killing himself. The Philistines eventually find the dead Saul, cut off his head, and fastened it in their temple. In light of his death, the author of Chronicles says that Saul died because "he broke faith with the Lord... and alos consulted a medium, seeking guidance" from him instead of God.
1 Chronicles 13:9-10, 1 Chronicles 15:13: Everytime I think of the holiness of God, this passage comes to mind. The new king David had assembled all Israel to bring the ark of God to the city of David. David and all of Israel are rejoicing before God with all their might as the ark is being brought to the city. As the ark is being brought to the city, the oxen stumble and Uzzah, a layman, not a Levite, takes hold of the ark to keep it from falling. For taking hold of the ark, God strikes down Uzzah. The first time I read this, I was struck with bewilderment and fear. However, the notes from my ESV Study bible (which I would highly recommend to anyone) have shown some light on the issue. Despite their zeal, David has failed to respect the sanctity of the ark, since the way he treats the ark is a reflection of how he is treating God. According to the law of Moses, the ark was to be carried on poles by the Levites only, not on a cart like the Philistines did. Therefore, when Uzzah takes hold of the ark, he is demonstrating a lack of reverance for the sacred object of God's presence and is transgressing its awesome holiness. Divine punishment is, therefore, just.
Excited that you blog too! No idea there was such a crowd of people who did. Even looking through you and Misha's subscriptions has been cool. You too have a new subscriber!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the partnering scripture in 2 Samuel 6 to 1 Chronicles 13 I was completely shocked and bewildered. I just went back and read my scribble notes next to the scripture "Why did God kill him -seems so unlike God" I have been learning so much these past few months, my head kind of hurts.
I am interested to see what you find on this new quest you have