Immerse: Chronicles Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 14
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IMMERSE
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CHRONICLES
As the book changes to narrative, the reigns of David and Solomon
come into the spotlight. The story alternates three times between accounts of David’s wars and long descriptions of arrangements he made
for true worship in the Temple. David is careful to ensure that God will
be worshiped in the place and in the way that God himself has chosen.
But since David is a man of bloodshed and war, God appoints his son
Solomon to actually build the Temple. With its completion, the key sign
of God’s presence among his people is now in place.
The reigns of later kings are described more briefly, with the exceptions of Hezekiah and Josiah whose religious reforms restore the
proper worship of the Lord after periods of idolatry. In contrast, most
of the kings lead the people astray from God’s ways. This unfaithfulness becomes chronic and widespread, and the people are ultimately
punished with exile.
The story continues with the memoirs of Ezra and Nehemiah, describing the people’s return to Judea from exile. Following God’s
instructions and with his help, they rebuild Jerusalem’s Temple and
walls. As the story reaches its conclusion, the returned exiles diligently
restore their ancient worship and community practices. At a grand ceremony, the Book of the Law of Moses is read aloud to the entire community, leading first to weeping and confession and then to celebration,
as the people understand and respond to God’s words.
The Temple and the Law lie at the heart of the true worship of God.
The Temple represents God’s new world, and the Law reveals the path
for the community to become his renewed people. This community, as
the covenant people, are to resume their special role in God’s plan. So
it’s vital for them to know and obey God’s instructions, to protect their
faith from being diluted and distorted, and to worship and honor God
in his Holy Place.
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