Justin Houtz

1 Chronicles 3–4, Hebrews 9, Amos 3, Psalms 146–147

DateVersionReading Plan
November 14, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

1 Chronicles 3

The chapter contains the genealogy of David, listing the kings of David’s descendants up to and after the Babylonian exile. The CSB Notes states that in this chapter “We find the people who are most important for Chronicles: David and his descendants. David’s sons are divided into two groups—those born in Hebron where David was king for seven years and those who were born in Jerusalem, David’s capital for thirty-three years. This is a list of tragedy. Amnon, the firstborn, raped his sister Tamar and was eventually killed by Absalom (2 Sm 13).” (CSB Notes)

1 Chronicles 4

Two more lines of ancestry from Jacob are depicted in this chapter, namely Judah and Simeon.

“Judah was the head of the largest tribe and the foremost in blessing and promise, and thus his genealogy is the first and the longest to be taken up (2:3–4:23). The genealogies of two descendants of Judah are developed more fully-Caleb: 2:18–20, 42–55 (this is not the Caleb of Num. 13; see 4:15), and David: 3:1–24.” (BBC)

“Simeon, Jacob’s second born, is taken up next, probably because of the close association of his tribe with Judah. Simeon’s portion in the Promised Land was within the territory of Judah (Josh. 19:9). The cities listed in 4:28–33 were their inheritance. However, later in history they acquired additional land through conquest.” (BBC)

Hebrews 9

Hebrews 9:6–7, 11-14 (ESV) 6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, 7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. … 11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

I was struck today in this chapter by the themes of the priest and of the blood. Regarding the former, the author describes the priests’ role in performing the ritual duties in the tabernacle, harkening back to the manner in which God dwelt among the Israelites from the time of Mount Sinai to the building of the temple. The repeated sacrificial practices of the former priests are starkly contrasted with the coming of Christ as High Priest who entered once through the greater and more perfect tent not made with hands. Whereas the priests had to perform their duties continually, the sacrifice of God’s Son was performed only once as a final and fully sufficient propitiation for all.

With respect to the blood, the high priest of the old covenant entered the Most Holy Place once a year with blood on the Day of Atonement. This was offered for the unintentional sins of himself and the people. Again, the author of Hebrews contrasts this yearly, continual ritual with that of Jesus, whose blood was required to be shed only once. By His blood, Christ covers us with His righteousness, bearing our due wrath and making atonement for the sin of man for all time.

Amos 3

Amos 3:7–8 (ESV) 7  “For the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. 8  The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken; who can but prophesy?”

“[This verse] Qualifies the statement in Amos 3:6 by emphasizing that Yahweh does reveal His plans and His demands to His people through the prophets.” (FSB)

“The judgment would not descend without a reason—every effect has a cause. Amos asks seven cause-and-effect questions [v. 3-8], culminating with an urban calamity caused by the LORD. It should not come as a surprise because God had revealed it in advance through His prophets.” (BBC)

Psalm 146

“The psalmist opens this praise psalm by exhorting his audience to praise Yahweh; he also describes his intention to praise Yahweh himself (vv. 1–2). He then exhorts his audience to place trust in Yahweh alone (vv. 3–4). The psalmist states that the blessed people in the world are those who hope in the God who created everything (v. 5), helps the oppressed, feeds the hungry (v. 7), heals the suffering, loves the righteous (v. 8), and protects the vulnerable (v. 9). He also states that Yahweh opposes the wicked (v. 9). He concludes by praising Yahweh, who will reign forever (v. 10).” (FSB)

Psalm 147

“This corporate praise psalm (meant for group settings) intertwines Yahweh’s special relationship with Israel and His work in creating and sustaining the world. The psalmist begins by exhorting the Israelites to praise Yahweh for His tender care of them and His control over the cosmos (vv. 1–6). He then connects Yahweh’s continuing sustenance of the world (vv. 8–9) to His ongoing protection of faithful Israel (vv. 10–11). The psalmist continues to focus on the protection of Israel by presenting the peace and stability of Jerusalem as a symbol of the nation (vv. 12–14). He then revisits Yahweh’s power over creation as proof of His ability to protect Israel (vv. 15–18). The psalmist concludes by articulating that Yahweh has a special relationship with the Israelites because He has revealed Himself and His word to them (vv. 19–20).”

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