“The people of Judah were exiled to Babylon because they were unfaithful to the Lord.” 3:1b
Pretty big understatement, right? As Bethany mentioned yesterday and in her response to these chapters last time around, Chronicles really glazes over the gritty history of Israel.
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If nothing else, the author is being efficient. It takes several books of the Bible to convey the point that we read in one sentence. The people of Judah were exiled to Babylon because they were unfaithful to the Lord. That’s really all we need to know.
But I’m thankful for the details. I’m thankful for page after page, and story after story, that details just how often Israel rejected God and how relentlessly God pursued his people. We need both accounts.
The Bible has something for everyone. It’s a book anyone and everyone can read. Feel intimidated and overwhelmed by the Old Testament? Read through Paul’s letters and get the basics on a life with Christ. Like a lot of reflection and having your own space to think about God? Dive in to the theology wilderness that Romans provides. Every book of the Bible is different, but it all points back to the same thing, and we need every book. (Eh, debatable, but I’m thankful for them all nonetheless.)
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Hang in there while we’re in Chronicles!
-Carly