Channels, Spring 2019

Page 8 Shields • Chronicles Messiah is seen in his focus on their works and their adherence to the Law. Obedience would bring about the covenant blessings and disobedience would bring about curses and eventual exile. Much of this evaluation was focused on the king’s ability to maintain proper worship within the temple. The temple itself is given much attention including its preparation, its building, and its dedication (1 Chron 15:1-17:27; 21:18-26:32; 28:1-29:19; 2 Chron 2:1-8:2). The theology of the temple is tied to its significance and is seen in the prayer of Solomon during its dedication (2 Chron 6:12-42). Anyone who prayed towards the temple, including the foreigner, would be heard by YHWH. The temple is the symbol of God’s dwelling with mankind on the earth and serves as a means of drawing the nations to himself through the testimony of his people Israel (1 Chron 16:8-36). The temple was one step closer to the original state of God dwelling among man in Eden (Gen 3:8; 2 Chron 7:1-3). The establishment of the temple and its continued use for worship was a result of the covenant relationship between Israel and YHWH. 44 The Prophets described a renewed Eden where the nations would come and eternally dwell in God’s presence, and the building of the temple as a step towards this restoration. Chronicles emphasizes the importance of the temple and the implications of its building, its destruction, and the command to rebuild it (2 Chron 2:5; 36:23). Namely, the fact that God keeps his promise to be with his people in spite of their rebellion. The beginning and the end of the book of Chronicles gives the book a universal focus in that Israel’s election and task are within the context of God’s plan for all humanity. The book begins with Adam and ends with Cyrus, the Persian king. Adam and Eve were to be God’s co-regents over all the earth, holding the offices of both priest and king. Adam’s line is traced through to David (1 Chron 1:1- 9:44), showing the thread of Messianic hope and expectation that is woven throughout the entire story of the Hebrew Bible. At the beginning of the book, the foundation of Israel’s story and its kings is the creation of mankind. At the end of the book, “Israel is interrelated with all the kingdoms on earth over which YHWH has given Cyrus the right to rule.” 45 Cyrus, under the direction of YHWH, commissions the work for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple where YHWH is to be worshiped (2 Chron 36:23). These two bookends frame Chronicles with a universal theme. “As the people of YHWH, Israel along with David and the temple have universal implications: their horizon is all of humanity.” 46 Throughout the book, the expectation for the Messiah is seen in the evaluation of the Davidic king as each generation passes. The Davidic king was to bring the nations of the earth together to worship YHWH. “The Davidic king (Abraham’s seed) is to reign in Jerusalem, the presence of God is to be manifest in the Temple, and there the covenant people are to worship Him.” 47 Even after the exile, the decree of Cyrus gives the reader hope that God will bring about his purposes through the Davidic King. The decree, although already recorded at the end of Ezra/Nehemiah, is shortened and intentionally left without a historical fulfilment (2 Chron 36:22-23). This gives the passage an eschatological reading. These three themes, namely, the Davidic king, the temple, and their universal purpose, are helpful in understanding the theology of Chronicles as Messianic, eschatological, and faith-oriented. These theological frames point to the Chronicler’s intent in writing his book: to close the Hebrew Bible. If the order of the books within the Hebrew Bible begins with Genesis and ends with Ezra-Nehemiah 44 Ibid. 45 Hendrik Koorevaar, Chronicles as the Intended Conclusion to the Old Testament Canon , 221. 46 Ibid. 47 John Sailhamer. First and Second Chronicles , 12