Justin Houtz

1 Chronicles 16, James 3, Obadiah, Luke 5

DateVersionReading Plan
November 21, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

1 Chronicles 16

1 Chronicles 16:1–3 (ESV) 16 And they brought in the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. 2 And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD 3 and distributed to all Israel, both men and women, to each a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins.

“Both peace and burnt offerings were prominent in the observance of festivals and solemn occasions, and certainly this was a festive day for all Israel. Everyone received a helping of meat before he left for home (v. 3).” (BBC)

1 Chronicles 16:4, 7 (ESV) 4 Then he appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. … 7 Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the LORD by Asaph and his brothers.

“David next acted to insure that thanksgiving and rejoicing before the Lord would be carried on daily and not be reserved for special occasions (cf. vv. 37–42). Levites were appointed to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the LORD … with … instruments and voices.” (BBC)

“The word hizkir, translated “invoke,” means “to make known” or “to profess” (Psa 71:16).” (FSB)

David’s appointment of some Levites for invoking daily gratitude and praise of the LORD and demonstrated the priority of proper worship in appointing Asaph and his brothers. May we share David’s heart in being centered on the gospel of Christ, leading those around us in praising His wondrous works and ascribing to the LORD the glory due His name.

James 3

James 3:13–18 (ESV) 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

“James contrasted the two types of wisdom in terms of their sources. Teachers who teach on the basis of ‘earthly’ wisdom produce disorder and every evil practice. Teachers who possess wisdom from above produce virtues that fulfill the ‘royal law’ (2:8) and promote unity within the congregation.” (CSB Notes)

There is nothing of eternal value that stems from earthly wisdom, whose source and focus is not of the Lord. Earthly wisdom is inward-focused, manifesting in bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, a ruthless competition of individualistic striving toward personal goals and achievements. By contrast, the wisdom from above is marked by its outward focus and self-sacrifice, resulting in a harvest of righteousness that has been sown in peace by those who make peace.

Obadiah

“Obadiah prophesied that Edom would be repaid for mistreating God’s people. Obadiah also asserted that God is sovereign over the nations and that the house of Jacob would be restored because of God’s covenant love for his people.” (ESV Obadiah Introduction)

“Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament. It tells of Yahweh’s judgment on Judah’s neighbor, Edom. Injustice does not go unrecognized by Yahweh. In the case of Edom, their injustice—tormenting the people of Judah while Judah was invaded by other nations—meant their coming downfall. Obadiah also envisions that Judah itself will be restored. This theme of the coming Day of Yahweh, when God will execute judgment and fulfill His promises, is common among other Prophetic Books—especially Joel and Amos.” (FSB)

Luke 5

Luke 5:5–8 (ESV) 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

“Peter’s realization of Jesus’s divine power and holiness through the catch of fish was essentially the same as that of Job (Jb 42:6) and Isaiah (Is 6:5). James and John, along with Simon Peter, formed Jesus’s inner circle (9:28; Mt 26:37). Jesus used the huge catch of fish to illustrate the kind of evangelistic impact Simon would have (catching people; see Ac 2:41; 4:4).” (CSB Notes)

It remains one of the most remarkable moments captured in the Gospels that Peter’s reaction to the catch of fish was to fall to Jesus’ knees and confess himself to be a sinful man. The event cut right to Peter’s heart—past the number of fish and the payday it would provide—responding in radical contrition, acutely aware of his own sin and that he was in the presence of the holy and righteous Lord of all creation.

Resources