Tuesdays Are for the Old Testament
4/2/24
Lessing, R. Reed, & Steinmann, Andrew E. (2014). "Chapter Thirteen: Chronicles." In Prepare the Way of the Lord: An Introduction to the Old Testament. (pp. 2231-242). St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House.
Lessing and Steinmann acknowledge the lack of appreciation most people have for Chronicles. Apparently this was a possible reaction from early times. The name given in Greek is παραλειπομένων, meaning "omitted things." "However, recent scholarship has paid more attention to this book, not only discovering it to be a work constructed with literary flair but also learning to appreciate Chronicles' unique theological outlook as an important contribution to the OT" (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 231).
Chronicles is from a post-exilic time period, describing Cyrus' decree that Judeans could return to Jerusalem (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 231). The coin mentioned, a daric, was first minted in 515 BC. Chronicles also describes seven generations of David's line after the exile. Lessing and Steinmann thus estimate the date at least as late as 400 BC. The book does not reflect the later, Hellenistic customs or history (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 232).
Lessing and Steinmann view Chronicles as the work of one author, due to the consistent theological view and vocabulary (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 232). The work does draw on information in earlier sources, including the Pentateuch and Psalms, Samuel, and Kings. There are insights which reflect knowledge of Ezra, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, as well as references to a number of other sources which are no longer extant. The work is focused on the history of Judah, so contains few events from Israel (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 233).
After an outline of the book and a brief description of the historical period of Chronicles, Lessing and Steinmann move on to textual and historical issues (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 235). Use of passages in Samuel and Kings seems more similar to material used for the Septuagint than that preserved in the Masoretic Text. A similar text exists in the Dead Sea Scrolls, suggesting there was a version which was well established but diverged from the Masoretic Text.
The Chronicler was selective in his choice of material. Some historical people, especially prophets described are not found elsewhere in the Old Testament. This has led some scholars to consider the work fictive and utopian in its outlook. The general assumption is that the author was inventing events to push his theological outlook (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 236). However, the claims are based on a presupposition that the author did not have access to the information he claims to have or else that he purposely misstated facts so as to promote his theological view. Lessing and Steinmann consider these assumptions unlikely.
The selectivity practiced by the Chronicler is not surprising to Lessing and Steinmann (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 237). Recent scholarship has vindicated the Chronicler as finding points of consistency between his work and other sources of information which we have. Lessing and Steinmann particularly illustrate this work in terms of the portrayal of David, which adds depth to our understanding of his character without negating the portrayal in Samuel (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 238).
Worship ofGod emerges in Chronicles as an important theme (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 239). The portrayal of various characters is normally based on how they relate to God's will. The constant is God's establishment of means for worship. Obedience to God's command is central.
The work of prophets is a second major theme in Chronicles (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 240). In general, their role is to interpret events, showing God's opinion of human activity. They are described as writing records of their prophecies, while in Samuel and Kings their work is more of a verbal nature.
Aside from God's promise to David, Lessing and Steinmann find relatively little material regarding a messianic promise. However, at various points they do find statements which tie other events to the Davidic promises (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 241). The Chronicler takes care to trace the descendants of David due to their participation in the promise.
Lessing and Steinmann observe the "stark theology of reward and retribution" found in Chronicles (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 241). God's blessing is upon those who are obedient. Departure from God's will brings defeat. However, the blessing ofGod is not earned in Chronicles. It remains tied to God's mercy.
4/2/24
Lessing, R. Reed, & Steinmann, Andrew E. (2014). "Chapter Thirteen: Chronicles." In Prepare the Way of the Lord: An Introduction to the Old Testament. (pp. 2231-242). St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House.
Lessing and Steinmann acknowledge the lack of appreciation most people have for Chronicles. Apparently this was a possible reaction from early times. The name given in Greek is παραλειπομένων, meaning "omitted things." "However, recent scholarship has paid more attention to this book, not only discovering it to be a work constructed with literary flair but also learning to appreciate Chronicles' unique theological outlook as an important contribution to the OT" (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 231).
Chronicles is from a post-exilic time period, describing Cyrus' decree that Judeans could return to Jerusalem (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 231). The coin mentioned, a daric, was first minted in 515 BC. Chronicles also describes seven generations of David's line after the exile. Lessing and Steinmann thus estimate the date at least as late as 400 BC. The book does not reflect the later, Hellenistic customs or history (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 232).
Lessing and Steinmann view Chronicles as the work of one author, due to the consistent theological view and vocabulary (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 232). The work does draw on information in earlier sources, including the Pentateuch and Psalms, Samuel, and Kings. There are insights which reflect knowledge of Ezra, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, as well as references to a number of other sources which are no longer extant. The work is focused on the history of Judah, so contains few events from Israel (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 233).
After an outline of the book and a brief description of the historical period of Chronicles, Lessing and Steinmann move on to textual and historical issues (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 235). Use of passages in Samuel and Kings seems more similar to material used for the Septuagint than that preserved in the Masoretic Text. A similar text exists in the Dead Sea Scrolls, suggesting there was a version which was well established but diverged from the Masoretic Text.
The Chronicler was selective in his choice of material. Some historical people, especially prophets described are not found elsewhere in the Old Testament. This has led some scholars to consider the work fictive and utopian in its outlook. The general assumption is that the author was inventing events to push his theological outlook (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 236). However, the claims are based on a presupposition that the author did not have access to the information he claims to have or else that he purposely misstated facts so as to promote his theological view. Lessing and Steinmann consider these assumptions unlikely.
The selectivity practiced by the Chronicler is not surprising to Lessing and Steinmann (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 237). Recent scholarship has vindicated the Chronicler as finding points of consistency between his work and other sources of information which we have. Lessing and Steinmann particularly illustrate this work in terms of the portrayal of David, which adds depth to our understanding of his character without negating the portrayal in Samuel (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 238).
Worship ofGod emerges in Chronicles as an important theme (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 239). The portrayal of various characters is normally based on how they relate to God's will. The constant is God's establishment of means for worship. Obedience to God's command is central.
The work of prophets is a second major theme in Chronicles (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 240). In general, their role is to interpret events, showing God's opinion of human activity. They are described as writing records of their prophecies, while in Samuel and Kings their work is more of a verbal nature.
Aside from God's promise to David, Lessing and Steinmann find relatively little material regarding a messianic promise. However, at various points they do find statements which tie other events to the Davidic promises (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 241). The Chronicler takes care to trace the descendants of David due to their participation in the promise.
Lessing and Steinmann observe the "stark theology of reward and retribution" found in Chronicles (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 241). God's blessing is upon those who are obedient. Departure from God's will brings defeat. However, the blessing ofGod is not earned in Chronicles. It remains tied to God's mercy.
RSS Feed