The Family Bible Journey Podcast

We hear the priestly version of God's promise to build a house for David, and to bless his family, so that his throne is established forever. New testament believers know these promises were not ultimately fulfilled in Solomon, but rather in Jesus. As "Immanuel," "God With Us," God dwells with us in the Person of His Son. He reigns over us both now and forever as a good and loving God.

David learned a painful lesson when he tried to move the ark in an unorthodox way. But in these chapters, we see that he learned his lesson. We also hear legendary songs of praise that were sung as the ark entered Jerusalem, which were also recorded among the psalms.

Jesus exalts a woman with a checkered past when he deigns to speak with the Samarian woman. Despite the ethnic, religious, social and other barriers between these two, God's love prevails. By the end of this chapter, the woman is a leading evangelist, bringing her entire town to Jesus.

In moving the ark, and building his family, David was only half-faithful to the Lord. His decision to move the ark on a cart, instead of on poles, as Moses instructed, cost the life of a priest. His lust, and accumulation of wives in Jerusalem, is also not what God requested of the kings. These chapters remind us that David, great as he was, is still human.

David's installation as king, and early military feats, are recorded in these chapters. Imperfect though he was, David was used mightily by God to unite the nation politically and in faith. He was a great blessing as king for all the good he did for the nation.

We hear a perfect summary of Jesus's life's work and the entire Bible in John 3:16. Nicodemus learns of the Spirit's work in a cold dark world. Then, John the Baptist reappears, to affirm that the work of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is one and the same-to bring light to darkness and life in place of death.

The circumstances surrounding Saul's death are recorded in this chapter. We learn from Saul to watch our own souls, and be careful always to listen to the Lord and His will for us.

Saul's descendants were important players in Israel when the exiles were allowed to return to Jerusalem. Despite his sin, Saul was the first king of Israel. As such, he was honored, even though he was not always an honorable man.

Jesus has an honest conversation with Nicodemus, who saw God at work in Jesus, but didn't understand how God works. We find comforting words here, as we grow in our understanding of baptism and the powerful promises of God.

The tribe of Levi gets a whole chapter, but poor Naphtali only gets a single verse of mention. This gives us opportunity to reflect on the promise Isaiah gave to Naphtali, that the Savior would arise there, despite her demise and mediocrity among the tribes.

King David receives special treatment as the king who faithfully established the Temple worship and affirmed the priests and Levites. We notice that the Chronicler makes editorial comments on the people and events from Israel's history. Each editorial comment is a lesson in God's faithfulness, despite the unfaithful nature of His people.

When Jesus turned water into wine, He made sure to point out that He didn't come from heaven to earth just to help a few people, but rather, to save all people. Whenever we hear Jesus speak of His "hour" coming in John's gospel, our hearts and minds are being directed to His life's work on the cross.

Chronicles is the priestly, spiritual account of Israel's history. The Chronicler was a returning exile, who most likely worked at the direction of Ezra and/or Nehemiah. As he begins his account of Israel's history, he places them within the table of nations. He points out how God was faithful to them, despite their unfaithfulness to Him.

The nation of Judah is carried into exile. Only the poorest of the land were left behind to maintain the ground. But even in exile, we see rays of hope as Jehoichin, one of the kings carried into exile, is restored to a place of prominence in the courts of Babylon. Even in darkest days, the hope of God's redeeming love shines brightly.

In the opening chapter of John's gospel, we witness the baptism of Jesus. God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were each revealed in Jesus' baptism. We also hear a perfect summary of Jesus' life work as, "The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." 

It is a normal occurance that as a person approaches death, that family and friends who surround the dying person see their loved one rally just a few days or even hours before the end. So too, couples in broken relationships, often show signs of hope before ending their relationship once and for all. In this episode, under Josiah's leadership, Judah experiences a spiritual cleansing and revival....

Josiah is the last righteous king of Judah. He recognized the grave danger Judah was in for having forsaken the Lord. He made it his life's work to bring as many as possible back to faith in the God of Israel.

John's gospel begins before the beginning of time, when God brought all things into existence. John writes from a different perspective than the other gospels. He was an old man, who had already seen many of his dear children in the faith lose their earthly lives for the gospel. He writes to encourage us all with the truth. The light and life that dwell within us are greater than the world's deepe...

King Hezekiah sees the mighty deliverance of the Lord both professionally and personally. He is king when God strikes Assyria, killing 185,000 of their soldiers in a single night. He then is healed from a life threatening disease. But his life ends in folly as he shows-off to Babylonian spies, who will return to take the wealth of Judah for themselves.

Israel receives her due from the Lord when she is conquered and sent into exile. God chastized His people, not in hate, but in love. He wanted them to repent of their evil and return to Him after learning how serious He is about His Word, and the faith-life of His people.

Jesus was not taken from His disciples in His Ascension. Rather, He ascended to draw nearer to them than ever before. We celebrate the Ascension, seeing God draw near to us, because of the love He has shown us in His dear Son.

A curious note is included with nearly every new king of Judah. Even though many were faithful to the Lord, they allowed idolatry to be practiced in their land. This idolatry is slowly corrupting the nation, as seen in the rise of Ahaz, who makes the worship of false gods the state religion of Judah. 

Here we ponder how God used faithful prophets to bless his people, even when their hearts were far from Him. We are encouraged in these texts, because even during evil times, God raises new generations of faithful people to bring His light into the lives of those who live in dark and distressing times.

At the resurrection, just as at Jesus's birth, angels declare the love and peace of God to troubled souls, and the faithful marvel at what God has done. We find ourselves with Mary and Peter at the empty tomb. Even when we don't understand how these things could be, we believe, and receive the peace of God as a gift of His mercy and grace.

Evil Queen Mother Athaliah seizes the throne of Judah by putting to death most of the king's heirs. God intervenes through a faithful and cunning priest named Jehoiada, preserving infant prince Joash. God blesses Judah through the faithful service of the boy king and his faithful spiritual advisor.