Author: Art Davison

THE BOOK OF II CHRONICLES–A BRIEF OUTLINE

Art Davison THE HISTORICAL BOOKS 0 Comment
THE BOOK OF II CHRONICLES

Introduction:

“This book continues the history begun in First Chronicles. It falls into eighteen divisions, by reigns, from Solomon to the captivities; records the division of the kingdom of David under Jeroboam and Rehoboam, and is marked by an ever growing apostasy, broken temporarily by reformations under Asa, 14-16.; Jehoshaphat, 17.1-19; Joash, 24.; Hezekiah, 29-32.; and Josiah, 34-35. But the religious state of the people, even at the best, is described in Isaiah 1-5.” — Scofield.

“The events recorded in Second Chronicles cover a period of 427 years.” —Ussher.

Distinctive Features:

The Spiritual Element in the History is more emphasized in Chronicles than in Kings.

1) See below “The Five Periods of Reformation.”

2) Other illustrations of references found only in II Chronicles,

a. Abijah’s devout address, 2 Chronicles 13:5-12.

b. Asa’s neglect of God, 2 Chronicles 16:12.

c. Jehoshaphat’s foolish alliances, 2 Chronicles 20:35.

d. Cause of Uzziah’s leprosy, 2 Chronicles 26:16-21.

e. Manasseh’s captivity and restoration, 2 Chronicles 33:11-13.

Five Periods of Reformation are described:

1) Under King Asa, 2 Chronicles 15:1.

2) Under King Jehoshaphat, 2 Chronicles 17:6-10.

3) Under the priest, Jehoiada, and King Joash, 2 Chronicles 23:16-19.

4) Under King Hezekiah, 2 Chronicles 29:1–31:21.

5) Under King Josiah, 2 Chronicles 34:1–35:27.

A Brief Summary of the Book:

Part 1

The Reign of Solomon:

1) Solomon’s sacrifices at Gibeon, and his wise choice, 2 Chronicles 1.

2) The building of the temple, 2 Chronicles 2:1–4:22.

3) The glory of the Lord fills the house, 2 Chronicles 5.

4) Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple, 2 Chronicles 6.

5) Jehovah appears to Solomon again at night, 2 Chronicles 7.

6) The prosperity and fame of Solomon, 2 Chronicles 8.

7) The visit of the Queen of Sheba, and the death of Solomon, 2 Chronicles 9.

Part 2

The Folly of Rehoboam lead to the Division of the Kingdom, 2 Chronicles 10.

Part 3

The History of various reigns from Rehoboam to Zedekiah:

1) Abijah, 2 Chronicles 13.

2) Asa, 2 Chronicles 14:1–16:14.

3) Jehoshaphat, 2 Chronicles 17:1–20:37.

4) Jehoram, 2 Chronicles 21.

5) Ahaziah, 2 Chronicles 22:1-9.

6) Athaliah (queen), 2 Chronicles 22:10–23:15.

7) Joash, 2 Chronicles 24.

8) Amaziah, 2 Chronicles 25.

9) Uzziah, 2 Chronicles 26:1.

10) Jotham, 2 Chronicles 27.

11) Ahaz, 2 Chronicles 28.

12) Hezekiah, 2 Chronicles 29:1–32:33.

13) Manasseh, 2 Chronicles 33:1-20.

14) Amon, 2 Chronicles 33:21-25.

15) Josiah, 2 Chronicles 34:1-35:27.

16) Jehoahaz, 2 Chronicles 36:1-3.

17) Jehoiakim, 2 Chronicles 36:4-8.

18) Jehoiachin, 2 Chronicles 36:9-10.

19) Zedekiah, 2 Chronicles 36:11-13.

Spiritual Message: The Power of Prayer to give success and victory, 2 Chronicles 11:16; 13:13-18; 14:11; 15:12; 17:4; 20:3; 26:5; 27:6; 30:18-20; 2 Chronicles 31:21; 32:20; 34:3.

Spiritual Lessons:

1) The Preeminence of wisdom, 2 Chronicles 1:7-12.

2) The Glory of the Lord fills the prepared temple, 2 Chronicles 5:13-14.

3) The Spirit of Praise renders God’s people invincible, 2 Chronicles 20:20-25.

THE BOOK OF I CHRONICLES–A BRIEF OUTLINE

Art Davison THE HISTORICAL BOOKS 0 Comment
THE BOOK OF I CHRONICLES

Introduction:

These books of Chronicles are in a great measure repetition; so are much of the second and third of the four evangelists: and yet there are no tautologies either here or there no vain repetitions. We may be ready to think that of all the books of holy scripture we could best spare these two books of Chronicles. Perhaps we might, and yet we could ill spare them: for there are many most excellent useful things in them, which we find not elsewhere.” — Matthew Henry.

Authorship: Uncertain, thought to have been edited by Ezra. First and Second Chronicles are one book in the Jewish Bible.

Time: Probably written during, or shortly after, the captivity and may be regarded as a Supplement to the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 and 2 Kings.

Some of the historical descriptions are almost identical with those of the preceding books.

Distinctive Features: The books of Samuel and Kings refer to events in both kingdoms, —whereas Chronicles deals almost exclusively with the history of Judah.

Central Thought: The Sovereignty of God, 1 Chronicles 4:9-10; 5:20; 11:14; 12:18; 14:2,10,14,15.

Central Character: David.

Analysis of the Book:

PART 1

1) Genealogies, 1 Chronicles 1:1–9:44.

2) Overthrow and death of Saul, 1 Chronicles 10.

PART 2: The Reign of David.

1) His accession to the throne.

2) The capture of Jerusalem.

3) His mighty men and armies, 1 Chronicles 11:1–12:40.

4) His mistake in attempting to transport the Ark on a “new cart,” 1 Chronicles 13.

5) His victory over the Philistines, 1 Chronicles 14.

6) The Ark brought to Jerusalem, 1 Chronicles 15.

7) The great festival of rejoicing, 1 Chronicles 16.

8) The King’s desire to build a temple for Jehovah denied, 1 Chronicles 17.

9) Great military victories, 1 Chronicles 18:1-20:8.

10) The sinful census, 1 Chronicles 21; Note 1 Chronicles 21:23-24, “And Ornan said unto David, Take it to thee, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes: lo, I give thee the oxen also for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meat offering; I give it all. 24- And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.”

11) The preparation of materials for the building of the temple, and a charge to Solomon, 1 Chronicles 22.

12) The further organization of the affairs of the kingdom, 1 Chronicles 23:1–27:34.

13) David’s last charge to the people and to his son, Solomon, 1 Chronicles 28:1–29:28.

a. Solomon is made king.

b. The death of David.

Choice Selections:

1) Jabez’s Prayer, 1 Chronicles 4:10.

2) David pours out the water from the well of Bethlehem, 1 Chronicles 11:17-19.

3) David’s Psalm, 1 Chronicles 16:7-36.

4) Description of David’s Chorus Choir and Orchestra, 1 Chronicles 25.

5) David’s last blessing and prayer, 1 Chronicles 29:10-19.

THE BOOK OF JUDGES–A BRIEF OUTLINE

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THE BOOK OF JUDGES

Introduction:

“This book takes its name from the thirteen men raised up to deliver Israel in the declension and disunion which followed the death of Joshua. Through these men Jehovah continued His personal government of Israel. The key-verse to the condition of Israel is (Judges 17.6), ‘Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.’ Two facts stand out—the utter failure of Israel; the persistent grace of Jehovah. In the choice of the Judges is illustrated Zechariah’s great word (Zechariah 4:6), ‘not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord’; and Paul’s word (1 Corinthians 1.25), ‘not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.’” — Scofield.

Writer: Unknown; tradition attributes the authorship to Samuel.

Main Theme: The history of Israel during the times of the fourteen Judges. The Book portrays a series of relapses into idolatry on the part of God’s people, followed by invasions of the Promised Land and the oppressions by their enemies. The narrative centers on the personalities of the heroic judges who were raised up to become deliverers of Israel, whenever they sincerely repented of their sins. The dark side of the picture is especially emphasized in the record.

A study of the dates would seem to show that the people maintained an outward loyalty to Jehovah a larger part of the time than the casual reading of the book would indicate.

A Brief Summary of the Book: There are three Periods into which the book may be divided:

1) The Period Immediately after the Death of Joshua, Judges 1:1–2:10.

2) The Period of the Seven Apostasies, Six Servitudes and Civil War, Judges 3:1–16:31.

a. The First Servitude, to Mesopotamia, —Judge, Othniel, Judges 3:5-9.

b. The Second Servitude, to Moab, —Judges, Ehud and Shamgar, Judges 3:12-31.

c. The Third Servitude, to Jabin and Sisera, —Judges, Deborah and Barak, Judges 4:1-23.

d. The Fourth Servitude, to Midian, —Judge: Gideon, Judges 6:1–7:25.

e. The Civil War, Judges: Abimelech, Tola and Jair, Judges 8:33–10:5.

f. The Fifth Servitude, to the Philistines and Ammon, —Judges: Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon and Abdon, Judges 10:1–12:15.

g. The Sixth Servitude, to the Philistines, —Judge: Samson, Judges 13:1–16:1.

Spiritual Messages:

1) Human Failure, divine mercy, and deliverance.

2) The power of prayer in emergencies when it becomes a real crying to God. Note in the book the repeated statement that Israel cried unto the Lord.

3) The Period of Confusion and Anarchy, Judges 17:1–21:1. Note Judges 21:25, “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

Companion Book: Galatians. Compare the relapse of Israel into idolatry with the backsliding of the Galatian churches into ceremonialism.

Character Studies:

1) Deborah, the patriotic woman, Judges 4-5.

2) Gideon, the mighty man of valor, Judges 6-8.

3) Jephthah, the man of the rash vow, Judges 11–12:7.

4) Samson, the weak strong man, Judges 13:2—16:31.

THE BOOK OF JOSHUA–A BRIEF OUTLINE

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THE BOOK OF JOSHUA
THE HISTORICAL BOOKS

Introduction:

The Historical Books of the Old Testament, usually so called, are twelve in number, from Joshua to Esther inclusive. It should, however, be remembered that the entire Old Testament is filled with historical material. The accuracy of these writings, often questioned, has been in recent years completely confirmed by the testimony of the monuments of contemporaneous antiquity.

The story of the Historical Books is the story of the rise and fall of the Commonwealth of Israel, while the prophets foretell the future restoration and glory of that under King Messiah. — Scofield.

For a more complete introduction to this book see John Gill’s Expositor.

Author: Uncertain, probably Joshua

Leading Topic: The Conquest and Division of the Land of Canaan.

Key Thought: How to be successful in Life, Joshua 1:8-9.

Historical Analysis:

1) The Invasion of the Land, Joshua 1:1–5:15.

2) The Fall of Jericho, Joshua 6.

3) The Battle at Ai, and Israel at Ebal and Gerizim, Joshua 7:1–8:35.

4) The Conquest of the South, Joshua 10.

5) The Conquest of the North and the list of kings smitten, Joshua 11:1–12:24.

6) The Division of the Land, appointment of Cities of Refuge, etc. Joshua 13:1–22:34.

a. The Cities of Refuge were a refuge from “the avenger of blood,” Exodus 21:13-14; Numbers 35:11-32; Deuteronomy 4:41-43; 19:2-13; Joshua 20:1-6.

b. List of Cities of Refuge, Joshua 20:7-9.

c. Figurative of Christ, Hebrews 6:18, “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:”

7) The Farewell Address and the Death of Joshua, Joshua 23:1–24:33.

Suggested Lesson: The certainty of the fulfillment of the Divine Purposes as seen:

1) In the judgments coming upon the Canaanites because of their awful sins.

2) In the descendants of Abraham being given possession of the land according to God’s promise, Genesis 12:7, “And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.”

THE PERPETUITY OF THE CHURCH–MATTHEW 16:18

Art Davison BIBLE DOCTRINE 0 Comment
GREAT BIBLE WORDS

CHURCH

THE PERPETUITY OF THE CHURCH

MATTHEW 16:18

Introduction:

We have look at the Lord’s Church and found it to be a local, visible congregation of scripturally baptized believers.

We have noted that His Church is made up of ONLY born-again believers in Jesus Christ.

Now we look at the Perpetuity of His Church.

I. IT IS THE LORD’S CHURCH

A. It is His Church because He instructed it, Matthew 4:19, “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

B. He continued to instruct it from the upper room to Gethsemane, Matthew 14-16.

1. The Lord spent at least 66% of His time instructing and preparing the disciples for the future, Matthew 5:1-2, “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2- And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,”

2. The rest of the time He evangelized the Jews, John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

C. He instructed them to continue to instruct others, Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19- Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20- Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

II. THE PERPETUITY OR PERMANENT CONTINUANCE OF THE LORD’S CHURCH

A. When the Lord returns will He find faith on the earth? Luke 18:8, “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”

B. The faith He will look for is the doctrine He taught when He first instituted the church, Ephesians 4:5, “One Lord, one faith, one baptism,”

1. The Lord instructed the church to preach the gospel, Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

2. The gospel He instructed them to preach continues to the power of God unto salvation, Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

C. Jesus empowered the church by the coming of “another Comforter,” John 14:16, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”

1. It happened on the Day of Pentecost, Acts 2:1-4, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2- And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3- And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4- And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

2. His church was “in one accord” and the Lord “added to the church,” Acts 2:47, “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

3. He will be looking for the power of the Holy Spirit functioning in His church when He returns.

a. He will find a praying people, Isaiah 62:6-7, “I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, 7- And give him no rest [silence], till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.”

b. He will come in a difficult time for His people, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2- For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3- For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”
Next week: The Family of God vs. the Church