Whisper Of God Ministries

The Sin at Ai  In Joshua 7, we read about the story of Israel’s failure at Ai.  The nation has just crossed the Jordan River and moved up and destroyed Jericho.  That city had fallen without Israel having to fight at all.  After marching around the city for 7 days as the Lord commanded Joshua, Jericho’s walls collapsed and the Israelites were able to walk it and destroy the city and everyone in it.  Ai was the next city to be attacked. Joshua 7:2 tells us that Joshua sent spies up to Ai who returned to tell of a weak city. Only three thousand men would be needed, but when these men attacked, they were soundly defeated by the soldiers of Ai.  Why?  Why would God give such a great victory at Jericho and allow such utter defeat at Ai?  Two reasons jump from the pages of scripture.  The first reason was the sin of Achan.  After being told that everything in Jericho belonged to God, Achan had kept several things for himself.  God was angry.  Secondly, and perhaps more importantly for us, was the self-confidence of Joshua and the people. They were very sure of themselves after the defeat at Jericho. A careful reading of the text reveals that Joshua never sought the Lord’s guidance before they attacked Ai.  If they had, God would have revealed Achan’s sin, and it could have been dealt with immediately. Overconfident in themselves, Israel sends only the men they thought needed to defeat Ai.  Their own self-confidence hindered their obedience in seeking out God..  Are you so self-confident in your faith that you believe you can move ahead in any aspect of life simply knowing you are a Christian?  Does being a Christian relieve you of the need to seek God through prayer in all aspects of your life?  So often we set ourselves up for failure because we forget God or we take Him for granted. He will not be ignored. We are called to pray without ceasing. This week, make praying your top priority before you act.

I hope that these book introductions are helpful. Please let me know if you would like to see other things included or even if you think they are not helpful. You can email me at: bcain@whisperofgod.org.

As we saw in the introduction to Ezra, Nehemiah was traditionally or historically part of the book of Ezra.  It is obviously the memoirs of Nehemiah. It was written around the same time period (445-430 BC).  It chronicles Nehemiah’s return to Jerusalem, the rebuilding of the wall, the threats of persecution and the renewal of the covenant.

Nehemiah is a great book for leadership. Much of what he does is always written in a positive light so as to encourage people to return to Jerusalem and to work with him as a leader.  The book promotes community in many ways.

One of my favorite verses is found in 4:8-9: ⁸They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. ⁹But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. How often do we do one or the other but not both? Nehemiah physically did all he could to meet the threat and pray as hard as he could.  God calls us to prayer and action!

Ezra follows the books of 1-2 Chronicles.  Again, we have a situation where originally Ezra and Nehemiah were one book.  While many scholars believe the book of Ezra was indeed the memoirs of Ezra and Nehemiah, they also note that historically they were always found as one book.  The first time we find them split into two books is during the beginning of the Third Century AD.  The date of the book, however, is most probably during the life of both Ezra and Nehemiah (around 445 BC).

Ezra returned to Jerusalem to help with the reconstruction and revitalization. Zerubbabel had begun the work, and Ezra is overseeing the reconstruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. The book divides easily into three parts:  1) the exiles return; 2) rebuilding the Temple; 3) the work of Ezra. 

This book was used to encourage the return of the exiles to the land God had given them. Cyrus had decreed that the people could and should return.  Obviously, the Temple would play a big role in the reestablishment of Jerusalem and the Jewish people.

Lists play an important part in both Ezra and Nehemiah.  Obviously, parts of the book are taken from official documents.  One interesting point is that Ezra contains sections written in Aramaic and not Hebrew, which was the official language of international diplomacy.

The moral reforms of Ezra reflect Christ in several ways. The nation will never find complete fulfillment until Christ returns, but Ezra does call the people to return to the law and follow God.  One very important work of Ezra in refocusing the people on the law was to reshape the nation around that law and not around a geography of land; therefore, the nation, though dispersed could and would survive for centuries to come.

All of the introduction and summary information on 1-2 Chronicles came out when we started 1st Chronicles (see website blog www.whisperofgod.org). Again, remember, originally this was one book.

Let me point out a great section in this book for you to underline in your own Bible – 2nd Chronicles 7:14 has often been quoted as a prayer for even America today: if my people, who are called by my name, will 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. We were founded as a Christian nation.  Unfortunately, we have lost our roots in many different ways.  Pray this prayer on several levels.  Pray it in your own life.  Humble yourself before God, pray, seek Him in prayer and daily Bible reading.  Confess your sins and ask for forgiveness. God will bring a renewed freshness to your walk with Him.  Secondly, pray it for our church and, lastly, pray it for our nation that we might return to Him.  If we do, then we will see God in new and glorious ways.

Chronicles is a supplement book in many ways to 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings.  Tradition has claimed Ezra the great postexilic priest wrote these books.  While we cannot be certain of authorship, we do know that 1-2 Chronicles were originally one book and that it was written after the exile, probably around 450 BC. 

Originally, the book was untitled because it chronicles the history of the kings – its name developed from its form. The main purpose of the book is to help the postexilic community in the restoration of a united kingdom. It does this by pointing to the successes and failures of the monarchies before the collapse of the kingdom. The fate of the nation of Israel was always determined by how closely it walked with God. Future generations must learn from the past and begin to pattern a new life on God’s commands.

The chronicler wrote for theological reasons as well as historical. The book focuses on the people of God and was intended to spur those still living outside the land to return.  Only by occupying the land again could the nation begin to reclaim the promise and its purpose.

Additionally, the idea of king and temple was again emphasized. God’s kingdom was through David’s line, and true worship centered around the temple.

Lastly, the chronicler continues to emphasize the point that God blesses the people when they follow Him and sends judgment when they do not. A united kingdom living under God’s law was the hope of a postexilic nation.

Please review the introduction material for 1st Kings found on the website blog www.whisperofgod.org.  Since these were historically one book, the author and date issues are found there.

2nd Kings chronicles the death of Elijah and the life of Elisha as he takes over work as the next great prophet.  Chapters 9-16 again pick up the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah. The Northern Kingdom falls to the Assyrians around 722 BC and is never really heard from again.  The Southern Kingdom continues on until 586 BC when it is conquered by the Babylonians, and the people of Judah are sent into exile. Chapters 22 and 23 are about the reign of Josiah and the renewal of the covenant by finding again the book of the law.

When we obey God, we can trust him to be faithful to us. How fortunate we are to have God’s complete Word in the Bible; however, like the people of Judah, we need to rediscover it again. The Bible is one of God’s great gifts to us. Cherish it – read it.

If you have kept up with your Bible reading to this date – Way To Go!  You have formed a habit that will benefit you all your life. Dr. John Carson told me once that he and his wife had read through the Bible every year since he was in seminary and he needed it now more than ever! If you have fallen behind – Take Heart! Begin anew here in 1st Kings.  The story of Solomon is a great place to get back into the habit.

1st and 2nd Kings, like 1st and 2nd Samuel, were originally one book.  The break between books is artificial. The book(s) chronicles the monarchy from the death of David in 970 BC to the last king of Judah before the exile of the Southern Kingdom in 586 BC.  While we do not know the author, it was probably written around 570-560 BC. The first eleven chapters are about Solomon and the grandeur and failure of his reign.  Many of us know Solomon from two things:  1) He asks God for wisdom or a “discerning heart.” 2) He built the temple which God had not allowed his father David to build.

After the death of Solomon in 931 BC, the Kingdom of Israel splits into the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah). The writer then traces the kingdoms separately through the North

The author is keen to be historically detailed in all that he does. He makes sure that each time he changes between kingdoms he references back to the other kingdom so that the timeline can be followed. The last chapters of 1st Kings (17-22) detail the life of the great prophet Elijah.

One of the major themes in the book is the idea of kingship and the covenant. God called his people to be faithful in worship in the Temple of Jerusalem.  The various kings are judged by how they adhere to laws concerning the worship of God.  Again, Christ’s fulfillment of the Davidic line is shown in the book of Kings, as well as the idea that Christ himself is our perfect High Priest in worship.

Please remember or review the introduction to 1st Samuel for much of the basic information on 2nd Samuel. That introduction can be found on our website blog www.whisperofgod.org. The story continues in this book as David comes to the throne.

The early part of the book (chapters 1-20) chronicles David’s steps to consolidate his kingdom after Saul dies.  First, he reigns in Judah and then eventually over all of Israel. Chapter 7 contains the Davidic promise that establishes God’s purposes in the line of David.  Chapters 10-20 are a series of chaotic events that result from David’s failures and sin. I would note that even though David sins, he comes to recognize that sin repents and is forgiven. We, too, have that same matchless grace to be forgiven and our relationship, with our Heavenly Father, restored by our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Prophet Nathan’s confrontation with David over his sin in chapter 12 is well known. Chapters 21-24 summarize various events in David’s life and tell how God was his deliverer.  These chapters gave future generations hope that, despite sinfulness, God was their hope through David’s line.

2nd Samuel contains one of my favorite chapters in all the Bible – 2nd Samuel 9 and the story of David and Mephibosheth. It is a wonderful foretaste of the grace Christ extends to us.

            We now are entering a large segment of the Historical Books that will take us through the monarchs of the united nation of Israel and through the dividing of the land into Israel and Judah. 1st and 2nd Samuel, 1st and 2nd Kings and 1st and 2nd Chronicles trace this story in dramatic fashion basing much of their theology on Deuteronomy in many ways. Our first book and the one we now come to in our reading is 1st Samuel. Much of what we say by way of introduction applies to 2nd Samuel as well. These books, by an unknown author, are titled today for the main character at the beginning of 1st Samuel. They were probably written after the kingdom divided into Israel and Judah (931 BC), but no one is sure about the date. Historically, 1st and 2nd Samuel have been titled in various ways.  Some versions title 1st and 2nd Samuel and 1st and 2nd Kings as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Kings.  Others have combined 1st and 2nd Samuel into one book; however, we know this section today as two books.

            The main focus of 1st Samuel is to reveal how Israel got their king.  We know that Moses anticipated that the nation would want an earthly king (Deut. 17:14), but where Israel sinned was in “wanting” a king just as the other nations have (1st Sam 8:5). God wanted to be their King but the people rejected him.  The book, therefore, chronicles the history of the beginning of the monarch period.

            The book divides basically into three parts.  Chapters 1-7 tell us about Samuel and describe the events leading up to King Saul. Chapters 8-15 are about Saul and the people’s sinfulness. Chapters 16-31 revolve around the ongoing conflict between Saul, who is rejected by God, and David, the anointed one.

            There is a great contrast between Christ and the sinfulness of Israel’s monarchy, but Christ is the fulfillment of David’s royal line, and our perfect king. David was Israel’s greatest king, and a foreshadow of Christ’s eternal reign.

            In the midst of the historical books that we are reading is the fantastic and uplifting book of Ruth. So named for its main character, this story takes place during the time of the judges. While the author is unknown, it probably was written during the reign of King David.
            The main purposes of Ruth are three-fold. First, God’s providence can be difficult and hard to understand, but He will and does bring blessings to His own. Secondly, when we live by God’s truth and word, we will find happiness and joy. Lastly, even though Ruth was a Moabite and not a Jew, David’s family line is one that God has chosen to be His royal line. The book is a great example of a Hebrew storyteller’s art and has inspired many even today.
            We see Christ vividly displayed in the life of Boaz as the Kinsman-Redeemer. Christ is the ultimate redeemer of all who will come to Him. Another very important aspect of Christ’s kingdom is Ruth herself. As a Moabite or Gentile, she is not only brought into the kingdom of God, but she points to the expansion of Christ’s kingdom to the Gentiles in the New Testament