Immerse: Chronicles Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 12
A10
IMMERSE
•
CHRONICLES
nations. These books tell stories that carry on the grand Story of God’s
covenants into later centuries. It is important to read these final books
of the First Testament with the overall development of the Bible’s story
in mind.
God created the world to be his temple, the place where he would
dwell in fellowship with humanity. After sin entered the world, God
chose Abraham and his family, the people of Israel, as those who would
bring blessing and life back into the world. But most of the story so far
has been about Israel’s struggle to live up to its divinely given vocation.
God initiated covenants with humanity in order to move the story closer
and closer to his intention for all of creation. But the goal has not been
reached. God wants a people who worship him well so they can go out
into the world to share his light and life.
The Exile had caused a crisis in Israel’s story, leading many to question God’s own faithfulness to the covenant as well as their status as
his chosen people. God’s vision for Israel and for the world could not
be fulfilled as long as foreign powers controlled God’s people and their
land.
These books at the end of the First Testament were written to remind the people of their true story and their ultimate hope. The issues
raised will continue into the period between the First Testament and
the New Testament. As the years go by and Israel’s struggles persist,
the longing for God to keep his covenant promises will grow stronger
and stronger. This is a story begging for its fitting conclusion.
ImmerseChronicles_NLT.indd 10
6/21/2017 10:01:25 AM
