1 and 2 Chronicles: Kingdom of Priest
"And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever."(1Ch. 28:9)
Chronicles, the last book in the order of the Hebrew Bible, provides a comprehensive summary of Israel's history from its earliest beginning, starting with Adam, up until the return from the Babylonian exile. The book presents extensive genealogies and vividly portrays the kings of Davidic lineage and their deeds, both good and bad. The Law of God serves as the guiding principle that governs the kingdom and provides instructions on the righteous living. As God's chosen people, the Israelites have a solemn obligation to worship only their God at the appointed place, faithfully following the designated path of life. Their blessings and curses depend on how the people, especially their kings, obey their God, as Israel is called to be the kingdom of priests to the nations.
Genealogies remind us that God knows each of His children personally. Since their names are written in God's hands, those who belong to Him can take comfort in the fact that God does not forget their names but continues to keep His promises. The long genealogies demonstrate God's long-lasting faithfulness to His people. Even when they go astray and experience divine chastisement, their God, rich in mercy, not only forgives their sins but also restores them to fellowship with Him and sets them on the path to joy when they come to Him in true repentance and faith. This gracious truth shines beautifully in the story of Manasseh, one of the most wicked kings of Judah, found at the end of the book.
Although there are sporadic spiritual reformations led by good kings, the ultimate decline of Judah is disheartening. The Book of Chronicles retrospectively examines their forefathers' failures, not only as a reflective tool but, more importantly, with anticipation for the arrival of the Messiah. This Messiah is the One who would ultimately construct the eternal kingdom and the holy temple. All references to kingship and priesthood in the Old Testament point to the true King of Kings and the Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. Chronicles, as the final book in the Hebrew Bible, serves as a bridge from creation to new creation and from the old covenant to the new as it is followed by the gospel of Matthew, the first book of the Greek Bible, where the genealogy leads to Jesus, the son of David. The gospel reveals that Jesus Christ is the King of God's kingdom and the Holy Temple, representing God's dwelling with His people.
King David made preparations for building the temple, and his son, King Solomon, carried out the construction. They did an admirable job in establishing the kingdom of priests, but they were mere sinful men. The magnificent Davidic dynasty could not endure forever, regardless of the sincere efforts of some Judean kings to reform it. The splendid temple built by Solomon also fell into disrepair due to decay and defacement, finally being destroyed because the sinful and hardened hearts of David's descendants provoked the Lord. Yet, hope persisted, as the Lord restored His people from exile to rebuild His house. Therefore, Chronicles encouraged the postexilic remnant to maintain hope in the righteous son of David who would come and establish God’s abiding presence with them in a more glorious and permanent manner. God's people, whose hearts are the true kingdom of God, would be restored and ruled by their righteous King Jesus so that they may love God with all their hearts. God's people, who are also the temple of God, are not made by human hands but by the will of God and will last forever, growing even holier as the Spirit of Christ dwells and works within them.
