THE CONNECT JOURNAL - 1 & 2 CHRONICLES
One of the goals in Hope Singapore is to go through our spiritual habits on an annual basis. We found that building the basics is so important. Once the basics are strong, once the foundations are strong, we are able to build the building strong. So one of the spiritual habits we have been emphasising on is the importance of reading our Bible and journaling.
In our movement, we have this tool called the Connect Journal which has helped many of our members so much. The Connect Journal gives us a place where we are able to read the Bible and we are able to take the time to journal our thoughts. It has been said “writing make a man precise.”
Connect Journal Video (Ps Jeffrey Chong)
Living in a stress-filled place like Singapore and I am sure in many of your cities, it is very easy to neglect some of these fundamental, foundational and basic things. However, once we get it right, we are able to go so much further for God; we are able to do so much more for God. So I want to encourage you to grab a copy of the latest edition of the Connect Journal.
Take your time to read the Bible, let God speak to you, write down your thoughts and as you do all these things, God is going to expand your heart. God is going to prepare us to be and do all that he wants us to achieve in our lifetimes.
Pastor Jeffrey Chong
Hope Singapore Website
Book Overview
The first and second books of Chronicles initially formed one larger book simple called “Chronicles,” which explained the rise and fall of the Jewish nation as a kingdom, that is, after Israel began having kings. Commonly referred to as “the omitted ones,” 1 Chronicles retells the story of 1 and 2 Samuel, while 2 Chronicles, 1 and 2 Kings. Although the story line of these books was similar, Chronicles has a different perspective than Samuel and Kings. It was to encourage the Jewish community who just returned to the Promised Land after 70 years of exile in Babylon (post-exilic community) and to remind them that God’s covenant with David was still in place. The books of Samuel and Kings were written to inform the people who lived during the time of exile about the history of their nation and the reason for the exile.
1 Chronicles – The Covenant Initiated
Since the very beginning, God’s purpose has always been to create a people who voluntarily love and worship Him. The nation of Israel was such a community. God established this nation to be the role model for others to follow. Under David, God found a king who could represent Him correctly and knew His heart. During his reign, David recognised the hand of God and God’s purpose for the nation. He strove to fulfil his role of facilitating God’s purpose. Under his leadership, the nation of Israel became the world’s superpower at that time. King David gives us several standards: for upright leadership, for a godly life of worship, and for obedience that pleases God. With the exception of some stumblings in his life, David’s life is a great bench mark for all believers, Much is also to be learned from the divine pattern of worship unto God that David instituted. David’s leadership foreshadowed that of Jesus, our true King and God Himself. Through Him, the kingdom of God will reach its pinnacle, more glorious than any other period in history, and it will last for eternity. He was the true Temple of God, and true worship can only be expressed through our relationship with Him.
2 Chronicles – The Covenant Carried
2 Chronicles begins by describing the building of the temple under the leadership of Solomon, the king appointed to carry out the task. However his unfaithfulness to God marked the end of the united kingdom. The kingdom was divided into two: the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. In 2 Chronicles, the focus is solely on the southern kingdom, because only David’s dynasty was part of God’s unfailing covenant, in which God promises to build His everlasting kingdom. Many kings rose and fell after King Solomon’s reign. Some carried out the worship established by David and some did not. Those who maintained proper worship were the ones who reigned longer and achieved more than those who did not. Many defeats were God’s warning for them. Yet, due to the unrepentant heart of the people, finally even the southern nation of Judah was exiled to Babylon and the whole kingdom of Israel ceased to exist. 2 Chronicles describes God’s love and faithfulness towards His faithless people. Despite their stubbornness, the book reminds the Jews that they were still in God’s plan. In the last chapter, the writer reminds the people of God’s promised restoration to encourage the post-exilic community that God still loved them despite their many imperfections. The overall history of Chronicles also helps us appreciate the longevity of God’s dealings and helps us learn from the many kings, whose lives are recorded. All in all we see that God will always be faithful to His covenant with His church, but the saints of every age will do well to seek Him fully.
The new Connect Journal will be released in August 2009.
For more information contact:
Email: connect@hopebrisbane.com
