Monday, September 26, 2022
Ragweed has blinded my eyes. Please, open them, Lord!
Psalm 146:8, “The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord raises up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.” NASB
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
My eyes are still flaring and watering constantly. I struggle to read.
Zechariah 9:1, “… (for the eyes of all …, are toward the Lord.)” NASB
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
I thought my watering eyes were unbearable. I was going for my second cup of coffee when my heart felt like a hand squeezed it and it stopped.
Repenting, I exclaimed, “Jesus, take me home!” (The pain did not stop but I forgot about my eyes!)
Then, I remembered coughing could start your heart again. I coughed a few times and the pain finally eased.
***
“The books of Kings are the history of Israel from the perspective of the eyewitnesses in the court and the prophets at the time; the books of Chronicles are a recounting of that same history for those who returned from the exile in Babylon drawing spiritual lessons from the heart of the priests. It has been said that those who fail to learn the lessons of history are destined to repeat it. At first glance, 1 Chronicles reads as a condensed recap of the entire Old Testament. From Adam to Abraham to Jacob to King David to the exile and finally, to the return of the Jews to their homeland, it’s all there. It’s the official condensed record of Judah’s history from Genesis to Malachi, and that’s just the first nine chapters.”
Introduction to 1 Chronicles
The Founder’s Bible
The Origin of the Dream of Freedom
***
How is history recorded? Through genealogy.
1 Chronicles 1:1, “Adam, Seth, Enosh.” NASB
Father, son, grandson. The story of Adam in the garden of Eden is not recorded here, just his son and grandson’s names. (See Genesis 5:1-8).
These chapters don’t list occupations or titles. Chapter three lists the genealogy of the kings. Yet, only their names are recorded.
1 Chronicles 3:17, “The sons of Jeconiah, the prisoner, ….” NASB
King Jeconiah was captured by Nebuchadnezzar, see 2 Kings 24:6-16. He was a prisoner for 37 years, see 2 Kings 25:27-30. But here he is recorded as Jeconiah the prisoner.
***
After feeling my heart stop, I evaluated my life. The only things that matter are my children and their children. They are more important than any occupation, title, accomplishments, or ministry.
The chest pain was replaced by the feeling of a steel band around my ribcage. I went to the ER. My EKG and blood tests showed I did not have a heart attack.
X-rays ruled out pneumonia even though the doctor heard crackling. I am in great health on paper. I just can’t breathe. He was perplexed.
“It’s ragweed,” I stated, “I will blow it out with the nebulizer.”
He was surprised that I had a nebulizer. He prescribed Aleve and Baby Aspirin for the “inflammation.” I declined Prednisone. The doctor agreed when he saw I had 14 rounds in the last three years.
Thursday, September 29, 2022
1 Chronicles 4:4, “…These were the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem.” NASB
Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Ephrathah. The city was named after this man, not the firstborn son, Hur. I’m glad God uses second-born and third-born children. (I’m a middle child!) 😉
***
1 Chronicles 4:14, “…for they were craftsmen.” NASB
This is the third occupation listed in 1 Chronicles.
- Scribes, 2:55.
- Kings, Chapter 3.
- Craftsmen, 4:14.
- Potters, 4:23.
- Shepherds, 4:39.
- Soldiers, 5:18.
- Priests, Chapter 6.
- Musicians, 6:31-32.
Friday, September 30, 2022
The “inflammation” moved to my right lung and left bronchial tubes. I got to meet my new doctor. (My doctor retired.) 😦
My new doctor liked my curly hair, (because his wife has curly hair), and said I didn’t look my age. I like him! 🙂
He said I look great on paper but breathing is important. I talked him down to the lowest dose of Prednisone and am on Round 15. (Sigh.) I’m at war with Ragweed.
***
1 Chronicles 7:5, “… families of Issachar were mighty men of valor, …” NASB
The mighty men of valor were troops for the army. (See, 1 Chronicles 5:18; 7:5-11; 7:40.)
- Issachar, 87,000.
- Benjamin’s son Bela 22,034.
- Benjamin’s son Becher 20,200.
- Benjamin’s son Jediael 17,200.
- Ashur 26,000.
- Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh 44,760.
King David’s nephews were the officers of the army. His sister, Zeruiah’s sons were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, 1 Chronicles 2:16; and 2 Samuel 2:18. Amasa, the son of his sister Abigail, replaced Joab, 1 Chronicles 2:17 and 2 Samuel 17:25.
***
Those who returned to Jerusalem were:
- The Levites – those in charge of teaching God’s Laws.
- The Judahites – the worshippers, princes, and officers.
- The Benjaminites – the soldiers.
- The sons of Joseph – the Ephraimites and Manassehites. (Israel transferred the birthright of the Firstborn from Joseph to Reuben, 1 Chronicles 5:1.) They were the elders.
To rebuild America, we need to send those who know the Laws of God to Washington.
Saturday, October 1, 2022
Genesis 1:12, “The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good.” NASB
We talk about bearing fruit but does our fruit have seeds that reproduce? My children are serving the Lord. Am I doing everything I can to help ensure my grandchildren serve the Lord?
Because when my heart truly stops, that is what matters.
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