By
Bishop Elijah H. Hankerson III, BA, MA, DD
LESSON NOTES:
I.
THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING
THE ENTIRE BIBLE. If
you understand that the Bible is written to show us how humanity was created
for God, fell into sin, was reconciled through Christ (who was the product of a
family) and God will restore everything through His sacrifice on the Cross;
then you have the message of the entire Bible.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 17Therefore
if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new. 18And all things are of God, who
hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the
ministry of reconciliation; 19To wit, that God was in Christ,
reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;
and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20Now then we
are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in
Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21For he hath made him to
be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God
in him.
II.
THE AUTHOR OF CHRONICLES. We have no idea. However, we
believe that it is the inspired Word of God; even though we do not know who the
earthly writer was.
2 Timothy 3:16 16All
Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness,
III.
WHAT IS THE THEME AND PURPOSE
OF CHRONICLES? Chronicles
is like a miniature Old Testament. It is a summary or official record of
everything that occurred in the Old Testament from the time of Adam, up until
the time the Cyrus the great allows the Jews to go back to Jerusalem.
A.
CYRUS THE GREAT. Remember in our last lesson
on Kings, the Southern Kingdom of Judah was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar and the
Babylonians. Eventually the Babylonians lose power to the Persians. The
Persians are kind to the Jews and allow them to go back to Judah and rebuild
their capital city of Jerusalem and the Temple.
Isaiah
44:26-28 26who
carries out the words of his servants and fulfills the predictions of his
messengers, who says of Jerusalem, 'It shall be inhabited,' of the towns of
Judah, 'They shall be rebuilt,' and of their ruins, 'I will restore them,' 27who
says to the watery deep, 'Be dry, and I will dry up your streams,' 28who
says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that
I please; he will say of Jerusalem, "Let it be rebuilt," and of the
temple, "Let its foundations be laid."'
Isaiah
45:1 1"This
is what the LORD says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right
hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their
armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:
2
Chronicles 36:22-23 22In the
first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD
spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a
proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: 23"This
is what Cyrus king of Persia says: "'The LORD, the God of
heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to
build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his
people among you may go up, and may the LORD their God be with them.'"
Ezra
1:1-4 1In the
first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD
spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a
proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: 2"This
is what Cyrus king of Persia says: "'The LORD, the God of
heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to
build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. 3Any of his people
among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the LORD, the
God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. 4And
in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide
them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill
offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.'"
B.
THE TERM “JEW.” Up until now we have not
used this term. Nevertheless, the lessons up to this point have shown that
Judah is the royal tribe and the Southern nation of Judah (composed of the
tribes of Judah and Benjamin with Jerusalem as capital) are the rightful people
of God. So, “Jew” means basically a person from the tribe and nation of Judah.
Romans
1:16 16For I
am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings
salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Romans 2:9-10 9There will be trouble and distress for every
human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but
glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for
the Gentile.
IV.
WHAT DOES THE NAME CHRONICLES
MEAN? It
means an official written account of a series of events, especially within a
kingdom.
2 Kings 23:28
Now the rest of the
acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of
the chronicles of the kings
of Judah?
2 Kings 24:5
Now the rest of the
acts of Jehoiakim, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of
the chronicles of the kings
of Judah?
1 Chronicles 27:24
Joab the son of
Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it
against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.
Nehemiah 12:23
The sons of Levi,
the chief of the fathers, were written in the book of the chronicles, even until the days of
Johanan the son of Eliashib.
Esther 2:23
And when
inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both
hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.
Esther 6:1
On that night could
not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before
the king.
Esther 10:2
And all the acts of
his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai,
whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and
Persia?
V.
A CHRONOLOGY FROM ADAM TO
THE RETURN OF THE JEWS TO JUDAH. Everything you see listed here is a set up
for the Messiah (our Redeemer and Savior) to come out of Judah. By, the time
Christ arrives on the scene the Jews are completely purged from idol worship.
Keep reading because while that is a good thing; it is also the MAIN THING that
leads Jesus to the Cross.
A.
LINEAGE FROM ADAM TO SOLOMON
(1 CHRONICLES 1-3). This
validates David’s reign and the fact that Judah is the royal tribe. This sets
the stage for the promised Redeemer to come through the line of David and
nation of Judah.
1.
ADAM TO JAPHETH.
1 Chronicles 1:1-5 1Adam,
Seth, Enosh, 2Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, 3Enoch,
Methuselah, Lamech, Noah. 4The sons of Noah: Shem, Ham and Japheth. 5The
sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshek and Tiras.
2.
SHEM TO ISAAC.
1 Chronicles 1:24-28 24Shem,
Arphaxad, Shelah, 25Eber, Peleg, Reu, 26Serug, Nahor,
Terah 27and Abram (that is, Abraham). 28The sons of
Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael.
3.
ABRAHAM TO ISAAC.
1 Chronicles 1:34 34Abraham
was the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel.
4.
ISRAEL TO JUDAH.
1 Chronicles 2:1-3 1These were the sons of Israel: Reuben,
Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, 2Dan, Joseph, Benjamin,
Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 3The sons of Judah: Er, Onan and Shelah.
These three were born to him by a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shua. Er,
Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the LORD's sight; so the LORD put him to
death.
5.
BOAZ TO DAVID.
1 Chronicles 2:11-15 11Nahshon
was the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, 12Boaz the
father of Obed and Obed the father of Jesse. 13Jesse was the father
of Eliab his firstborn; the second son was Abinadab, the third Shimea, 14the
fourth Nethanel, the fifth Raddai, 15the sixth Ozem and the seventh
David.
6.
DAVID.
1 Chronicles 3:1 1These
were the sons of David born to him in Hebron: The firstborn was Amnon the son
of Ahinoam of Jezreel; the second, Daniel the son of Abigail of Carmel;
7.
SOLOMON.
1 Chronicles 3:5 5and
these were the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon.
These four were by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel.
B.
THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD (1
CHRONICLES 6). This
is written to not only prove that the priesthood of the lineage of Aaron is the
only true priesthood; but also to invalidate the false religion of the Northern
nation of Israel, with their capital at Samaria and a false system of worship
set up centering around Mount Gerizim (instead of Jerusalem). This was a
dispute that went on for generations, passed the time of Christ and the
apostles (and yet continues today).
1 Chronicles 6:1-3 1The
sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. 2The sons of Kohath:
Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. 3The children of Amram: Aaron,
Moses and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
1 Chronicles 6:49 49But
Aaron and his descendants were the ones who presented offerings on the altar of
burnt offering and on the altar of incense in connection with all that was done
in the Most Holy Place, making atonement for Israel, in accordance with all
that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
C.
NORTHERN TRIBES OF ISRAEL (1
CHRONICLES 7). The
Northern nation of Israel are considered traitors and backsliders. Their line
of kings and priesthood are all considered invalid and counterfeit.
D.
DAVID THE TRUE KING (1
CHRONICLES 10-29). This
section mostly focuses on David’s victories; in order to prove that God’s hand
was on his life. And, that anyone that desired that same favor, they would have
to be in accord with David’s life and legacy.
1.
THE FAILURE OF SAUL. This is the legacy of Saul.
A failed administration.
1 Chronicles 10:1-7 1Now
the Philistines fought against Israel; the Israelites fled before them, and
many fell dead on Mount Gilboa. 2The Philistines were in hot pursuit
of Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and
Malki-Shua. 3The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and when the
archers overtook him, they wounded him. 4Saul said to his
armor-bearer, "Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised
fellows will come and abuse me." But his armor-bearer was terrified and
would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it. 5When
the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died. 6So
Saul and his three sons died, and all his house died together. 7When
all the Israelites in the valley saw that the army had fled and that Saul and
his sons had died, they abandoned their towns and fled. And the Philistines
came and occupied them.
2.
THE DAVIDIC COVENANT.
1 Chronicles 17:3-12 3But
that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying: 4"Go and
tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: You are not the one to
build me a house to dwell in. 5I have not dwelt in a house from the
day I brought Israel up out of Egypt to this day. I have moved from one tent
site to another, from one dwelling place to another. 6Wherever I
have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their leaders whom
I commanded to shepherd my people, "Why have you not built me a house of
cedar?"' 7"Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what
the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock,
and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 8I have been with you
wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you.
Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men on earth. 9And
I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can
have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not
oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 10and have done
ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also
subdue all your enemies. "'I declare to you that the LORD will build a
house for you: 11When your days are over and you go to be with your
ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons,
and I will establish his kingdom. 12He is the one who will build a
house for me, and I will establish his throne forever.
E.
SOLOMON THE RIGHTFUL
SUCCESSOR TO DAVID (2 CHRONICLES 1-9). The Golden Age of the nation was under the
administration of David and Solomon. From here on out, the prophets would seek
to call the people back to this glorious time, where the God of Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob and even Moses was glorified.
1.
SOLOMON THE RIGHTFUL KING.
2 Chronicles 1:7-12 7That
night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for whatever you want
me to give you." 8Solomon answered God, "You have shown
great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. 9Now,
LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made
me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10Give
me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern
this great people of yours?" 11God said to Solomon, "Since
this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or
honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a
long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have
made you king, 12therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you.
And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was
before you ever had and none after you will have."
2.
THE GLORY OF SOLOMON’S
MINISTRY.
2 Chronicles 6:19-21 19Yet,
LORD my God, give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy.
Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence. 20May
your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, this place of which you
said you would put your Name there. May you hear the prayer your servant prays
toward this place. 21Hear the supplications of your servant and of
your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your
dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive.
2 Chronicles 7:11-14 11Thus
Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king's house: and all that came
into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he
prosperously effected. 12And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night,
and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to
myself for an house of sacrifice. 13If I shut up heaven that there
be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send
pestilence among my people; 14If my people, which are called by my
name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their
wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will
heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:1-2 1When
Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt
offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. 2The
priests could not enter the temple of the LORD because the glory of the LORD
filled it.
F.
THE SOUTHERN NATION OF
JUDAH (2 CHRONICLES 10-36). The writer of Chronicles wants the people to
see that Judah and its kings and its priesthood is the only rightful heir of
God’s covenant with Abraham and His commands through Moses. Though Judah failed
God, God left a remnant; that would eventually produce our Redeemer!
X.
THE ERADICTION OF IDOLATRY
LED JESUS TO THE CROSS. The invasion of the Southern nation of Judah eventually
completely removed the issue of idol worship from the nation. They learned
their lesson. It was a good thing to
remove idol worship; however, this is the one thing that led Him to the Cross.
A.
THE JEWS HAD BEEN THROUGH
TOO MUCH, TO TOLERATE A MAN SAYING THAT HE WAS GOD. The Jews could tolerate
everything else Jesus said and did (His teachings and His miracles); but His
claims to be divine was considered blasphemy to them (it was more than they
could bear) and they felt that He must die! (Note: In no text does Jesus come
out blatantly and say, “I am God.” He affirms it in the following verses. If He
did that, the Jews probably would have killed him BEFORE He ever made it to the
Cross. So He had to be wise, so that at the right time He could be crucified
for our sins).
John 10:30-33 30I
and the Father are one." 31Again his Jewish opponents picked up
stones to stone him, 32but Jesus said to them, "I have shown
you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" 33"We
are not stoning you for any good work," they replied, "but for
blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."
Matthew 26:63-65 63But
Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under
oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God." 64"You
have said so," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: From now on
you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and
coming on the clouds of heaven." 65Then the high priest tore
his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more
witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.
John 8:56-59 56Your
father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was
glad." 57"You are not yet fifty years old," they said
to him, "and you have seen Abraham!" 58"Very truly I
tell you," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" 59At
this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away
from the temple grounds.
John 17:20-21 20"My
prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me
through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just
as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may
believe that you have sent me.
John 5:10-18 10and
so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, "It is the
Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat." 11But he
replied, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and
walk.' " 12So they asked him, "Who is this fellow who told
you to pick it up and walk?" 13The man who was healed had no
idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. 14Later
Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again.
Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." 15The man
went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well. 16So,
because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began
to persecute him. 17In his defense Jesus said to them, "My
Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working." 18For
this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the
Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with
God.
1.
NOTE: LOOK AT THIS TEXT IN
ISAIAH AND COMPARE IT WITH THE PASSAGE IN LUKE.
Isaiah
43:25 25"I, even I, am he who
blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
Luke 5:17-26 17One
day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting
there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and
Jerusalem. And the power of the LORD was with Jesus to heal the sick. 18Some
men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house
to lay him before Jesus. 19When they could not find a way to do this
because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat
through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20When
Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." 21The
Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who
is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 22Jesus
knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things
in your hearts? 23Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 24But I want you to know that the Son
of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." So he said to the
paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 25Immediately
he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home
praising God. 26Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They
were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things
today."
XI.
PRAYER FOR SALVATION. As we close, if you have not received this
Jesus pray this simple prayer:
"Father, I know that I
have sinned against You. Please forgive me. Wash me clean. I promise to trust
in Jesus, Your Son. I believe that He died for me—He took my sin upon Himself
when He died on the cross. I believe that He was raised from the dead. I
surrender my life to Jesus today.
"Thank You, Father, for Your gift of
forgiveness and eternal life. Please help me to live for you. In Jesus' name,
Amen."
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