An initial glance over 1 Chronicles brings a yawn. Unless you’re into genealogies of ancient middle-eastern peoples, you skip to the good parts. Personally I skim these passages, appreciating the more interesting names, like Lud (sounds like a big, slow guy); Peleg (I picture a pirate); and Joktan (a guy who gets things done). Forgive my active imagination.

Thousands of names litter the pages of our Bibles, most of which we know nothing about. People fill the stories found in the scriptures. All the commands of God, the thou shalts and thou shalt nots were given in the context of the Lord’s relationship to his people. God is personal, and relates to humankind as such.

God created the world and dwells in unapproachable light, and yet God remains close and connected to each one of us.

Take a pause and slowly read this verse (one I tend to skim) a couple times—The sons of Jahdai: Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ehpah and Shaaph. Listen closely. What do these men whisper about following the Lord? I don’t know if they lived devout lives, or tortured those around them. But at this moment each holds a view of eternity far in advance of ours. They wait where we are headed.

Follow the footsteps of the wise. Learn from those who’ve gone before and emulate their best practices. Enjoy these lists of seemingly random names, knowing the Lord knew each one intimately, just as he knows you and me.

1 Chronicles 2 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Jon Tyson

At times I listen in on a conversation and realize, I should keep my mouth shut, this is none of my business. But as things progress I start to think, I have some great insights to add, and these folks need them. Then I say something that was neither great nor needed. Once again, betrayed by my tongue.

David described his efforts to keep speech in check: I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth…I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased; my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue.

Sound familiar? I too want to hold my tongue, but the fire burns and I blurt out something stupid.

A later frustrated writer spoke directly to a wicked tongue: What will God do to you, you deceitful tongue? He will punish you with arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush. Even the promised wrath of God fails to hold the tongue in check.

Thanks to the megaphone of social media, tongues cause more damage than ever. Not sure the world possesses enough arrows to shoot all those who deserve one.

All I can do is ask the Holy Spirit to control my tongue, then help me to apologize quickly when I babble out something hurtful.

Psalm 39 & 120 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Girl with red hat

Ever wonder how people describe you to others? I don’t mean when someone’s angry and down-streaming you with four letter descriptors, but when a friend talks about you.

Do they say, he’s a good guy, or she’s reliable, or he talks a lot, or she tends to worry?

Luke, the writer of the book of Acts, described Barnabus in this way: He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.

Barnabus encouraged the new followers of Jesus in Antioch to remain true to God, and in his wake a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

Next Barnabus began working with Paul, helping develop his fresh faith. As Barnabus and Paul ministered together in Antioch, the Jesus people gained a new name—Christians.

People around Barnabus flourished, because he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.

What do you think your friends say about you?

Acts 11 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Aziz Acharki

I wonder what Saul thought when David, a teen-ager, asked to go toe-to-toe with Goliath? Saul first responded like any sane observer: There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possible win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.