KinesisOnline

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Reading: 1 Chronicles 4:1-6:47

Focus: 1 Chronicles 6:1-30

In the beginning of Chronicles there is a genealogy which sets the historical basis of the kings. Interestingly, there is also another genealogy, but this time tracing the historical basis of the priesthood and those that serve in God’s temple. The genealogy traces all the way from Levi, the 3rd son of Jacob (or Israel), through their various descendants. A quick read over the genealogy may miss some key elements, particularly, given the purpose of Chronicles of recording the national history of Israel.

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Reading: 1 Chronicles 1:1-3:24

Focus: 1 Chronicles 3:1-3:24

Disclaimer: this article is merely a reflection within the contexts of the Biblical world. It does not take into account the modern day arguments for and against the claims of modern day Israel and its associated land. The author makes no statement about the current modern day situation and has no intention to define or comment upon current events.

Throughout the world, nations have their founding story. Australia, as it is known today, was founded in 1788 with the landing at Botany Bay. The United States of America, was declared independent from the British Empire on July 4, 1776. On the other hand, you have the ancestral founding stories of the ancient kingdoms, the Aborigines of Australia have their founding story—the Dreaming. The Ancient Roman Empire had the founding story of Romulus and Remus. Each has their story of their origins, which they lay claim as their rights to the land they come from.

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Reading: Ruth 1:1-4:22

Focus: Ruth 1:20-21; 4:13-17

The story of Ruth is a beautiful story of commitment and love. The story of Ruth follows the life of two women, Naomi and Ruth. Naomi, an Israelite, leaves her home during a period of famine. In her time away, her two sons marry the native women, one of whom is Ruth. In a sad series of events, Naomi’s husband and her sons pass away, leaving Naomi with her two daughter-in-laws. In her sorrow, Naomi decides to return home to Bethlehem and urges her daughter-in-laws to return to their paternal homes so that they might be adequately cared for. Orpah, one daughter-in-law, reluctantly sees her reasoning and departs home; whereas Ruth refuses to leave her mother-in-law and commits herself to her and her future.

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Reading: Judges 20:1-21:25

Focus: Judges 21:25

These days, you tell people what to do and you’ll probably get the response, “Don’t tell me what to do, I’ll do whatever I like, thank you!” Nobody likes being told what to do, but a society without boundaries, structure, governance—essentially, without the laws of the land—leave you with anarchy. Each person does as they so desire and, in the end, nobody benefits…nobody.

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Reading: Judges 18:1-19:30

Focus: Judges 19:20-30

I’m speechless. To read about the depths humanity falls to truly renders me speechless. This past Tuesday night, a wheelchair bound man was beaten up by two teenagers at a Sydney railway station, robbed and left for dead. (Link) What thoughts would run through the head of two teenagers to even seriously consider destroying the life of a disabled person? Yet, it happened. Not in a game, not in a movie, but in real life… in our world… in our day…

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