Hidden Gems

Chronicles is a book few Christians probably read on a regular basis. However, Chronicles should not be overlooked. It is inspired by God. It was recorded for a reason. I want to share with you some hidden gems from the first nine chapters. These gems are only hidden because we haven’t explored all of God’s word as much as we should.  They are waiting for us to learn, understand, and hide in our hearts. Take the time to read the entire Bible at least once a year, and your faith will be strengthened.

Fast Facts about 1 Chronicles 1-9.

·      Some suggest Ezra wrote this book, but it’s not for certain. Ultimately, it was written by someone inspired by God, 2 Timothy 3:16.

·      Chronicles could be viewed as a reminder of the events or annals of the days, the years, of times past to give God’s people returning from Babylonian Captivity confidence.

·      We have the genealogies of the nation of Israel in the first nine chapters. One hidden gem is the genealogy found in 1 Chronicles 4:1-23, which isn’t found anywhere else in scripture. 

·      Not every name is mentioned in the genealogies. For example, 1 Chronicles 1:1 it says, “Adam, Seth, Enosh…” There’s no mention of Cain or Abel. That doesn’t mean there is some error, but rather the names that are recorded were for a particular reason. We see this as well in 1 Chronicles 2:1-3. It says, “These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad and Asher. The sons of Judah were…” In a typical genealogy the firstborn son would be mentioned (Reuben) first. But he isn’t. Rather, Judah is. Why? Consider Genesis 49:1-3 and 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 where it says, “Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright.” What other reason might Judah be mentioned first back in 1 Chronicles 2? Why would the tribe of Judah be so important to the Nation of Israel?

·      There’s a hidden prayer found in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 by a man by the name of Jabez. Here’s what the text says about Jabez: “Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, ‘Because I bore him with pain.’ Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!” And God granted him what he requested. What a great prayer! What can we learn from this short prayer?

·      There’s another hidden prayer in 1 Chronicles 5:18-22. The text says, “The sons of Reuben and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, consisting of valiant men, men who bore shield and sword and shot with bow and were skillful in battle, were 44,760, who went to war. They made war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish and Nodab. They were helped against them, and the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hand; for they cried out to God in the battle, and He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him. They took away their cattle: their 50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep, 2,000 donkeys; and 100,000 men. For many fell slain, because the war was of God. And they settled in their place until the exile.” During our battles, we better cry out to the LORD. Victory during difficult days is only going to come from God. It doesn’t matter how skillful we may be in certain areas of our lives, we still need the LORD. Like these mighty warriors, we need to trust in God. Prayer is a demonstration of our faith recognizing our need for God.

·      While these men prayed and trusted in God, we also get the rest of the story. They eventually lost faith in the LORD. In 1 Chronicles 5:23-26 these mighty and famous men acted treacherously toward God. What a sad commentary. We are given another hidden gem concerning our faith and how we must continually guard it.

When was the last time you read Chronicles? Or the entire Old Testament? Or the entire Bible? There are many stories filled with gems for us to uncover that will build our faith. Let’s take the time to search and find them.