Other comments on this day's readings can be found here.
Reading 1 - 1Ch 27
David also organized his army (vv 1-15), Israel's tribal
leaders (vv 16-24), his administrators (vv 25-31), and his counselors and
advisers (vv 32-34). He did all this to insure the future stability of the
kingdom, so that God's promises could be fulfilled without unnecessary
opposition or confusion. The writer mentions 12 tribes, but in this list these
include Levi and the two halves of Manasseh. He omits Gad and Asher in this
tally (vv 16-24; cf 1Ch 7).
1Ch 22--27 records David's preparation for the fulfillment of
those covenant promises made to him -- which would be fulfilled in part after he
had passed off the scene. His preoccupation with God's promises and his
preparations for their fulfillment served as a good example for Chronicles'
original readers. David's zeal for the house of Yahweh reflected his zeal for
the reputation of his God. He truly put God's glory before his own personal
ambitions.
Reading 2 - Eze 36:11
"I will increase the number of men and animals upon you [the
mountains, and the land, of Israel], and they will be fruitful and become
numerous. I will settle people on you AS IN THE PAST and will make you prosper
more than before. Then you will know that I am the LORD" (Eze 36:11).
Israel is to be restored "as in the days of old", or "as it
used to be" (Amo 9:11) -- so that the golden era of David and Solomon will be
typical of the restored glory of God's Kingdom. The past (the history of David
and Solomon) and future (God's coming Kingdom) are thus compared:
Jerusalem is the throne of Yahweh (1Ch 29:23; Jer 3:17).
One king
rules over a united nation (1Ki 4:20; Eze 37:22).
Israel is a
multitudinous, powerful nation (1Ki 4:20; Mic 4:7).
Israel is the chief
among the nations (1Ki 4:21; Mic 4:8).
Gentile wealth flows to Jerusalem
(2Ch 9:23,24; Isa 60:11).
A greatly fertile land (1Ki 4:22-28; Isa
35:1,2).
The nations are under submission to Israel (1Ki 4:21; Psa
72:8).
Israel dwells secure and at peace (1Ki 4:25; Eze
34:28).
Jerusalem is the center of wisdom (1Ki 4:34; Isa
2:2-4).
Jerusalem is the center of worship (2Ch 9:23; Zec 14:16).
A
temple is erected under royal supervision (1Ki 6; Zec 6:13).
The work of
building is assisted by Gentile laborers and materials (2Ch 2:2,17; Isa
60:10,13).
A righteous high priest officiates (1Ki 1:34; Heb
7:11,12).
Great building activity (1Ki 9; Isa 65:21,22).
"Satan is
bound" (1Ki 5:4; Rev 20:2).
Israel is a blessing in the midst of the land
(2Ch 9:26; Isa 19:25).
The king is noted for his piercing, unerring judgment
(1Ki 4:29; Isa 11:3).
Reading 3 - John 1:47
" When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, 'Here
is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false' " (John 1:47).
"The day came when one of these apostles was impelled by the
Spirit to give an estimate of his Master's life in these words, 'Who did no sin,
neither was GUILE found in his mouth' (1Pe 2:22; Isa 53:9). What came to be a
high mark in the life of this sinless man from Nazareth, he once saw latently in
an unknown man (Nathanael) from Cana. Later on, when the man of Galilee makes
water into wine, the guileless man from Cana will know that, uniquely, some good
thing has come out of Nazareth, and he will confess it guilelessly" (Dennis
Gillett, "Genius of Discipleship").