Sermon Tone Analysis

Before we look at the last twelve prophetic books of the Old Testament: Chronicles

First Chronicles provides a priestly view of David’s reign.

Second Chronicles continues this “divine editorial” by focusing on David’s descendants, the kings who ruled over the southern kingdom of Judah.

Kings whose names were briefly mentioned in 2 Kings receive more extensive space in 2 Chronicles, and for good reason.

Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Uzziah, and Jotham led reforms that helped to restore righteousness and postpone judgment for decades.

They made a difference in their generation because they walked with God and used their God-given influence for good.

Notice how the chronicler highlights both the what of their reign and the why behind their success: “The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him” ( 2 Chronicles 17:3 ).

“As long as [Uzziah] sought the LORD, God gave him success” (2 Chronicles 26:5 ).

“Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 27:6 ).

Sadly, the influence of these godly kings is largely blunted by the cumulative effect of many more ungodly kings.

The spiral is clearly downward, and time is running out for Judah.

Chronicles: The need to look at the history of Israel from the perspective of the priests of Israel, the spiritual and religious leaders of God’s chosen people, the Jews.

Why has God given us history?

All of history points to the sovereignty of God and the fulfillment of God’s purposes and plans.

All of history points to the sinfulness of all men and women and the holy supremacy of a God who intervenes, who steps into the lives of men and women throughout all of time and guides them, judges them, but most importantly, transforms them.

The history of the Bible shows us, and this is in no way and exhaustive list:

That God is all powerful

That God’s promises will be fulfilled.

That good men can make bad decisions

That bad men can make good decisions

That good men can evil children

That evil men can have good children

That women can be just as evil and wicked and murderous as men

That evil is not something external, it is something resident in the hearts of all men and women

9.

That apart from the common grace and particular grace of God, all men and women are spiritually dead and under the certain wrath of God.

In 2 Chronicles we see:

That no mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but daily breaks them in thought, word, and deed.

- we say “mere” man because the Lord Jesus was the God Man.

No man, not Abraham, not Moses, not Joshua, not David, not Solomon, not Hezekiah, not any king.

That every sin deserves God’s wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come.

That we may escape his wrath and curse due to us for sin through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, along with the diligent use of the Word, baptism, the Lord’s table, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for their salvation.

Two Histories

The times during which the events took place.

The time of the writing relative to the time of the events (500 BC versus 1000-500 BC) - the return of the people from Exile and they are back in the land.

What is the purpose?

What is driving the writer?

They’ve returned from Exile and their is disappointment and opposition.

The writer gives a theological history.

He is teaching about God.

Kings deals with Israel and Judah

Chronicles deals almost exclusively with Judah

But Babylon interrupted the throne - so what is the forever of the promise.

The Chronicler made the kings look like they may be the promised king - but they failed.

Failure after failure - kings, prophets, priests - all failed.

But Jesus is the better prophet, priest, and king.

Jesus is the Son of David who will reign forever.

Is this the Son of David?

John Piper’s definition of sin.

It is the glory of God not honoured; the holiness of God not reverenced; the greatness of God not admired; the power of God not praised; the truth of God not sought; the wisdom of God not esteemed; the beauty of God not treasured; the goodness of God not savored; the faithfulness of God not trusted; the promises of God not believed; the commandments of God not obeyed; the justice of God not respected; the wrath of God not feared; the grace of God not cherished; the presence of God not prized; the person of God not loved.

Selective writing for a purpose - simply not including men’s failures in order to show God’s faithfulness.

Jesus is the one greater than Solomon -

As we read this first chapter - it’s not about Solomon - it’s about God

v1 - God was with him and made him exceedingly great

v7 - God appears to Solomon and offers Solomon what he does not have - this is the faithfulness of God

v12 - the unlimited grace of God based on personal faithfulness -

It’s not you, it’s God - God’s faithfulness

It’s not God, it’s you - your faithfulness

v15 - a glimpse of God’s forever kingdom

This is the faithfulness of God!

Are you striving to receive the faithfulness of Jesus, the righteousness of Jesus, the wisdom of Jesus?