Read 1 Chronicles 16
Questions from the Scripture text: What did they bring (1 Chronicles 16:1)? Where did they put it? What did they offer? Then what did David do (1 Chronicles 16:2)? And what did he give the people (1 Chronicles 16:3)? Whom did he appoint to do what (1 Chronicles 16:4)? What people, specifically, to do what things, specifically (1 Chronicles 16:5-6)? What did David deliver, to whom, for what purpose (1 Chronicles 16:7)? What is to be done among whom (1 Chronicles 16:8-9)? What must people do, in what manner (1 Chronicles 16:10-11)? What must they remember (1 Chronicles 16:12)? Who, specifically, must do so (1 Chronicles 16:13)? Whose God is He (1 Chronicles 16:14)? What, especially, are they to remember (1 Chronicles 16:15-18)? How did He keep this covenant (1 Chronicles 16:19-22)? Who is to join in their praise, by doing what (1 Chronicles 16:23-24)? What glories, in particular, are they to declare (1 Chronicles 16:25-27)? Who are to give Him what (1 Chronicles 16:28-30)? Who (what!) else is to praise, in what manner (1 Chronicles 16:31-33)? How do 1 Chronicles 16:34-36 summarize the praise that all the redeemed creation will give? So whom does David appoint to do what (1 Chronicles 16:37)? Whom, specifically, to do what in 1 Chronicles 16:38? And whom, specifically, to do what in 1 Chronicles 16:39-40? And whom to do what in 1 Chronicles 16:41? And whom to do what in 1 Chronicles 16:42a? And whom to do what in verse 42b? And then what did all do in 1 Chronicles 16:43a? And what did David do in verse 43b?
What do we do in the presence of the Lord? 1 Chronicles 16 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these forty-three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we delight in Him, to give Him His glory.
The ark, especially in the tabernacle, represents the presence of God among His people. This chapter emphasizes the great joy this this is for them. The Lord, Who is blessed in Himself, makes His presence a great blessing to His people. David both gives them material provision to help them rejoice (1 Chronicles 16:3), and he functions as a prophet to make provision for them in two other important ways: particular appointments of the priesthood (1 Chronicles 16:4-6, 1 Chronicles 16:37-42), and the writing of a Psalm (1 Chronicles 16:7-36) in which that priesthood would lead the people. This Psalm is a combination of large portions of Psalm 105 and Psalm 96. It summons all nations (1 Chronicles 16:28-30), and even all creation (1 Chronicles 16:31-33), to praise Him—specifically for the salvation of His people to worship Him (1 Chronicles 16:34-35). He is the Lord of all creation (1 Chronicles 16:25-27) and providence (v14), but it is especially in covenant with His people (1 Chronicles 16:14-22) that He displays His glory. This is reminiscent of Revelation 5:8–14, where all of glory worships Him particularly for the redemption of His people.
This redemption is not only from our sin, and from oppression, but into His blessed presence. By bracketing the Psalm with the appointments of the various orders of the priesthood, the emphasis in the chapter falls upon rejoicing before Him and praising Him. Zadok’s priestly family that offers the sacrifices, and Obed-Edom’s priestly family that are doorkeepers, get mention. But it is especially the singers and the musicians that are in focus. All of these anticipate Christ. Christ is the Doorkeeper—and the Door Himself into the presence of God. Christ is the Priest, Who makes the offerings—and the Ascension (burnt offering), Tribute (grain offering), and Peace (peace offering) by which we come into God’s presence. And Christ is also the great Singer and Musician, Who leads us in being blessed in God’s presence. The ever-blessed God is full of divine joy in Himself. And He brings us into His presence to share in His joy. And this is that for which He shall be praised, by all creation and all peoples, forever and ever!
How much emphasis do you place upon rejoicing in God’s presence in Christ—not just entering His presence, but enjoying Him in His presence? How are you praying and working toward all nations, and the whole creation doing so?
Sample prayer: Lord, we see what an emphasis that You place upon our entering Your presence, and especially upon our rejoicing in Your presence. And we realize that we do not place nearly the emphasis upon it that we should. So, we have often failed to enter Your presence through Christ. And, often, when we have done so, it has not been to give You Your glory and rejoice over You in Your presence. So, for the sake of Christ, forgive us, and make us glad with His own joy, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP96A “O Sing a New Song” or TPH100B “All People That on Earth Do Dwell”
No comments:
Post a Comment