Justin Houtz

1 Chronicles 13–14, James 1, Amos 8, Luke 3

DateVersionReading Plan
November 19, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

1 Chronicles 13–14

1 Chronicles 13:2 (ESV) 2 And David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and from the LORD our God, let us send abroad to our brothers who remain in all the lands of Israel, as well as to the priests and Levites in the cities that have pasturelands, that they may be gathered to us.

“The Chronicler emphasizes two details not found in 2 Sam 6:1–4. First, David addresses the entire assembly of Israel, asking if it seems right to them to bring back the ark. The decision is then made by a unified Israel (1 Chr 13:4). Second, the Chronicler emphasizes seeking Yahweh. David here looks not just for the people’s approval but also Yahweh’s. He also notes that they did not seek the ark—and by extension Yahweh—during Saul’s days.” (FSB)

1 Chronicles 13:11–12 (ESV) 11 And David was angry because the LORD had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzza to this day. 12 And David was afraid of God that day, and he said, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?”

“David was angry that the Lord had interfered with his plans for giving the ark such triumphal treatment. Then his anger turned to fear. The display of the holiness and power of God made David doubt whether he was able or worthy to bring the ark to his city.” (CSB Notes)

“David was afraid of God and despaired of restoring the ark to the City of David. He needed to learn that there was a proper way to carry out God’s will. When David and the people went to get the ark, the excitement of the moment and the sense that they were doing God’s will gave the event a festive atmosphere. This very excitement gave them a sense of familiarity with the things of God that became unhealthy, and they neglected to give the ark the respect God demanded. David, in his fear, came back to sobriety about this issue. The whole incident reminds us that even our enthusiasm for God can cause us to forget the holiness of God and the need to fear him. Doing what we believe to be God’s will in a way that violates God’s Word is wrong and displeases God.” (NAC)

James 1

James 1:5–8 (ESV) 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

“We must approach God in faith, with no doubting. We must believe He loves and cares, and that nothing is impossible with Him. If we doubt His goodness and His power, we will have no stability in time of trouble. One minute we might be resting calmly on His promises, but the next we will feel that God has forgotten to be kind. We will be like the surge of the sea, rising to great heights, then falling back into valleys—troubled and tossed. God is not honored by the kind of faith that alternates between optimism and pessimism. He does not give divine insight to such vacillating, unstable men (vv. 7, 8). In verses 5–8, the source of wisdom is God; it is obtained by prayer; it is available to everybody; it is given liberally and without reproach; the crucial condition is that we ask in faith, with no doubting.” (BBC)

These passages and the commentary from the BBC strike a convicting chord today. Much of my walk with the Lord of late has been the vacillating instability that James rebukes. The most impacting words are “let him ask God, who gives generously”, realizing my failure in asking for such stability and thereby not acknowledging His ability, faithfulness and generosity to provide.

Amos 8

Amos 8:1–2 (ESV) 8 This is what the Lord GOD showed me: behold, a basket of summer fruit. 2 And he said, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A basket of summer fruit.” Then the LORD said to me,

“The end has come upon my people Israel; I will never again pass by them.

“The basket of summer fruit signified that Israel was ripe for judgment. God would not pass by in mercy anymore.” (BBC)

“The Hebrew word for summer fruit (qayits) sounds almost identical to the word translated as end (qets) in v. 2. Just as the fruit in the basket had ripened, so also Israel was ripe for judgment.” (CSB Notes)

Luke 3

Luke 3:8–9 (ESV) 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

“The fruit (behavioral impact) of repentance (see note at vv. 10–14), or the lack of it, proves whether or not a person has truly repented. At the time of judgment (the ax is already at the root of the trees), the claim of Jewish lineage (Abraham as our father) will mean nothing unless a person’s faith is genuine, like Abraham’s (see Gn 15:6; Gl 3:6–7).” (CSB Notes)

Matt. 3:10 records the same words of John regarding the destruction of trees bearing unhealthy fruit and Jesus spoke of it Himself Matt. 7:18. It is a sobering reminder to come to Him in humble contrition, pleading that by His Spirit we would bear the good fruit of faith for the expansion of His kingdom and magnification of His glory.

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