The intrinsic significance of the twelve historical books in the Old Testament is the revelation that God’s move in man’s history prepares the way for God to carry out His eternal economy by His becoming a man that man may become God in life and in nature but not in the Godhead for the producing and building up of the church as the Body of Christ to consummate the New Jerusalem for His ultimate expression.
Wow, what an elevated view of the historical books in the Old Testament!
This week we start a new morning revival series on the topic of, Crystallization-study of 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, based on the 2022 winter training.
This first week in our HWMR the topic is, God’s Move in Man’s History for the Carrying out of His Eternal Economy.
There is a human history going on outwardly, but within man’s history there is God’s history; the history of God in man’s history is His move to carry out His eternal economy.
We need to turn our heart to the Lord and have an exercised spirit so that we may see what the intrinsic significance of these historical books is.
The Bible is a record not only of the history of God’s people – Israel in the Old Testament and the church in the New Testament; it is the record of two histories.
First, we have the history of God, the divine history, which is the history of God’s move.
Then we see the human history, the history of man; in particular, we see the history of God’s people.
The human history is the most visible thing, and everyone who reads the Bible sees this matter.
Sometimes it is easier to pay attention to the outer “shell” of the human history than to see the “kernel” of the divine history within the shell of human history.
Both in the Old and in the New Testament we have the outward human history and, within this history, we see the inward divine history.
In the Old Testament, in principle, what we see is God’s move with men and among men; we don’t see His move in man but rather, with and among man.
In the New Testament, however, we see God’s move in man, for He took certain steps in order for Him to come into man.
Christ went through five major steps – incarnation, human living, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.
Through these five steps, God went through a process to become a life-giving Spirit so that He would be dispensed into man and have a move not only with and among man but in man.
Hosea 11:4 speaks of this; here the Lord said that He drew us with cords of a man and with bands of love.
The cords of a man are the processes He went through; when we read the Gospels and see this wonderful One, we are drawn to Him and we simply open up to Him.
By these five steps, the cords of a man, God moves not only outside of man or among men but even more, within man.
By all these steps of Christ in His humanity, God’s love and His salvation reach us in Christ. Hallelujah!
May we be unveiled to see the divine history within the human history, and may we pay attention more to the kernel of the divine history rather than the outer shell of the human history.
God’s Move in Man’s History prepares the way for Him to Carry out His Economy in Humanity
If we read the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, together with Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 and 2 Kings, what we may realize is that God’s people went through a lot of things, and that God was with them all throughout.
But there’s a central thought in these books, and there’s an intrinsic significance of these twelve historical books.
Thank the Lord for the ministry of the age that opens up what is the intrinsic significance of these books, what the Lord intends to do in these books and what is underneath the surface.
What we see in these twelve historical books in the Old Testament is the revelation that God’s move in man’s history prepares the way for God to carry out His eternal economy by His becoming a man that man may become God in life and in nature but not in the Godhead.
All this is for the producing and building up of the church as the organic Body of Christ to consummate the New Jerusalem for His ultimate expression.
In the books of 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings, there’s the central point of view of God’s chosen people, but in 1 and 2 Chronicles the central point of view is the entire race of mankind.
In 1 Samuel we see the lineage from Samuel to David, but in 1 and 2 Chronicles we see the lineage beginning from Adam, including all mankind.
We could say that the lineage in 1 and 2 Samuel corresponds to the genealogy of Christ as recorded in Matthew 1, which begins from Abraham and concludes with Christ, focusing mainly on God’s chosen people.
The lineage in 1 and 2 Chronicles, however, corresponds to the genealogy as recorded in Luke 3, which is broad and includes all of mankind.
This is strong evidence that the coming Christ, who is the embodiment of God, is not only for the chosen race of God in the Old Testament but for the entire human race created by God.
1 and 2 Chronicles in their intrinsic significance show us God’s move in man’s history.
God moves in man’s history; He has been moving and is still moving in and through man’s history.
If you read the Bible and study both the Old and New Testament, including the prophecies, you will realize that God’s move is in man’s history for Him to carry out His economy.
In the Old Testament, we see what God has been doing in order to prepare the way for Him to carry out His economy, and in the New Testament, we see the carrying out and fulfilment of His eternal economy.
We must link the twelve books of history in the Old Testament to God’s eternal economy, for the entire Bible speaks of this one thing – the eternal economy of God.
The Bible actually tells us only one thing, from Genesis to Revelation – God’s eternal economy.
God’s eternal economy is based upon His good pleasure, the desire of His heart (Eph. 1:4-5, 9-10; 1 Tim. 1:3-4; 6:3).
These twelve historical books were written in God’s divine revelation for our admonition and enlightenment (1 Cor. 10:11).
In 1 and 2 Chronicles in particular, the chronology we see here indicates that God’s move in man’s history is to prepare the way for God to carry out His eternal economy in humanity by becoming man so that man may become God in life and nature but not in the Godhead. Wow!
May we open to the Lord and allow Him to enlighten us and shine upon us so that we may see the intrinsic view of 1 and 2 Chronicles.
May we see not only the outward human history but even more, God’s move in man’s history, how God did many things to prepare the way for the carrying out of His eternal economy in humanity.
Lord Jesus, unveil us to see the intrinsic view of Your divine revelation in the holy word of God. Cause us to see a vision of God’s eternal economy; may such a vision direct our heart and guide us in our daily living. Oh, may we see the eternal economy of God, which is based upon His good pleasure, the desire of His heart! Thank You, Lord, for unveiling us to see what is in Your heart. Hallelujah for God’s move in man’s history for the carrying out of God’s eternal economy in humanity! We open to Your move in us, Lord. Move in our being. Make us the same as Christ in life and nature. Thank You, Lord, for becoming a man so that man would become God in life and nature but not in the Godhead! Hallelujah for God’s eternal economy!
Praying the Prayers of the Age to hasten the Lord’s Return which will Solve all the Problems of the World
The carrying out of God’s eternal economy to prepare us to be His bride to bring Him back is the only way to solve the problems of today’s world situation.
There are many problems in today’s society, and not all of them are solved by the Lord’s first coming.
The Lord’s coming for the first time was not so that He would solve all the problems in society or in the world.
He came to redeem us so that He would impart Himself as life into us for the producing of the church as the Body of Christ.
The outward problems in society, injustice, war, suffering, famine, and human government, together with all the well-known problems in society will be solved by the Lord’s second coming.
Today the carrying out of God’s eternal economy – with the procedure of His judicial redemption and the goal of His organic salvation – to prepare us to be the bride of Christ to bring Him back is the unique way to solve the problems in today’s world situation (Rom. 5:10, 17, 21; 1 Thes. 5:23-24; Phil. 1:3-6).
This is the desire of God’s heart, and He will accomplish it; we are here for this, and we need to join ourselves to Him and pray the prayer of the age to hasten His return.
Look for example at the situation in Palestine, the dispute for the land there, and who should live where and do what. Who is the rightful owner of that land, Israel or the Arab nations?
The real landlord is God, and only He can solve the problem concerning this land.
The leaders and statesmen may negotiate things, but the Lord is seated in the heavens, laughing (Psa. 2:4).
When He returns, the Lord will settle this matter, for it is His business, not man’s business.
What is the solution to all the problems in the world today? Yes, in a sense it is Christ, but in a practical sense, it is the Lord’s second coming.
We need to cooperate with God’s move in man’s history to prepare the way for the Lord to return.
When He came the first time, He solved man’s biggest problems, which were all inward; when He returns again, He will solve man’s problems, which are mainly outward.
The Lord’s second coming will resolve all the problems of the world, such as injustice (Isa. 11:4), war (2:4), sickness (Rev. 22:2; Ezek. 47:12), famine (Isa. 35:1, 6), education (2:2-5; 4:2-6; 11:9; Hab. 2:14; Heb. 8:11; Psa. 2:6, 12), sinful establishments (Matt. 13:41-43), the suffering of all creation (Rom. 8:21-22; Isa. 11:6, 9), and earthly governments (Rev. 11:15; Dan. 2:34-35, 44-45).
Look at the injustice in the world today; who can really make justice for those oppressed without taking sides with those who have money, power, and influence?
Look at the wars going on today, from the war in Syria to the war in Ukraine; who can end all these wars?
Look at the famine going on in so many countries in the world today, from the first world countries to third-world countries: who can end famine?
Look at the lack of education and inequality in the world today: who can end this? Look at the sinful establishments today which are thriving and, though illegal and immoral, go on from generation to generation: who can end all this?
Look at the creation which is suffering, groaning, and in slavery until now: who can deliver it from the slavery of corruption?
Look at the human governments today, some of which are “democratically elected by man” – who will end the human government, which does not work for the people not do they care for man?
It is only the Lord’s second coming.
And we need to cooperate with God’s move in man’s history to prepare the way for Him to carry out His eternal economy by becoming the same as He is in life and in nature in His organic salvation.
We need to pray the prayer of the age to end this age so that Christ will return and solve all the fundamental problems in the world today.
When He returns, the world will be filled with righteousness and justice. When He returns, there will be no more weapons or war.
Rev. 11:15 says that one day the nations of the earth will become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.
Without the Lord’s second coming, salvation will not be complete.
All the problems on this earth are waiting for one thing: for a good number of men to become God-men composing the bride of Christ for Christ to return and end this age.
We were chosen for this by God before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4).
May we be those who pray the prayer of the age to cooperate with God’s move in man’s history, and may we remain in the process of God’s organic salvation so that we may become the same as Christ in life and in nature for Him to return to rapture His bride and bring in His kingdom!
Lord Jesus, we want to cooperate with the carrying out of God’s eternal economy to be the bride of Christ to bring Him back! Come, Lord Jesus! We give ourselves to You for the fulfilment of Your heart’s desire. Lord, we desire for You to return. We don’t want to seek to solve today’s world problems; we just want to enjoy You, experience You, and cooperate with You in Your economy so that we would become the same as Christ in every possible way! Lord, advance in Your eternal economy to prepare us to be Your bride to bring You back to solve the problems of today’s world situation! Hallelujah, when the Lord return, there will be no more injustice, war, sickness, famine, inequality, sinful establishments, sufferings, and human government! Come, Lord Jesus!
References and Hymns on this Topic
- Sources of inspiration: the Word of God, my enjoyment in the ministry, a sharing by brother Ed Marks in the message, and portions from, Life-study of 1&2 Chronicles, msgs. 1, 7-8 (by Witness Lee), as quoted in the Holy Word for Morning Revival on, Crystallization-study of 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther (2022 winter training), week 1, entitled, God’s Move in Man’s History for the Carrying Out of His Eternal Economy.
- Further reading on this topic:
– The eternal economy of God, a portion from, Practical Points Concerning Blending, Chapter 1, by Witness Lee.
– Universal History according to God’s Economy— the Divine History within the Human History to Fulfill the Lord’s Heart’s Desire to Have the One New Man in Reality, a PDF portion via, The Church in Regina.
– God’s economy – to be one with man and to make man His organism; a portion via, The Overcomers, Chapter 1, by Witness Lee. - Hymns on this topic:
– God’s intention in this universe is with humanity, / So the Lord became the Spirit just with man to mingled be. / We rejoice that we can all partake of His economy. / Yes, mingling is the way. (Hymns #1199, stanza 1)
– In His Christ to head up all things / Is our God’s economy; / Taking Christ as Head and Center, / All is one in harmony…Under Christ, by His full headship, / All in union will subsist; / In the light the Church expresses / All in oneness will exist…No more darkness and corruption, / No more death and vanity; / All will be released from bondage / Throughout all eternity. (Hymns #981 stanzas 1, 7, 9)
– God has called us for His purpose, / His economy so glorious, / For which He was fully processed; / Consummated now is He! / As the Spirit, He indwells us; / As our God allotted portion, / Working out His full salvation, / Making us the same as He is. / Oh, may a clear, controlling vision of / The Lord’s economy direct my heart, / And burn in me until my spirit’s wholly set afire! / With spirit strong and active we’ll press on / To consummate God’s goal— / New Jerusalem, Hallelujah! (Song on, God has called us for His purpose, stanza 1 and chorus)
About aGodMan
The central thought of 1 and 2 Chronicles is,…first, to give us a full chronology of God’s move in man’s history by including the genealogy from Adam to Samuel, indicating that God’s move in man’s history to prepare the way for God to carry out His eternal economy in humanity by becoming a man that man may become God is not a matter that concerns only the history of God’s elect but a matter that concerns the history of the entire race of humanity. The central point of view in 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings is the chosen people of God, but in 1 and 2 Chronicles it is the entire race of mankind. This needs a lineage not from Samuel but from Adam to Christ,which corresponds to the genealogy of Christ as recorded in Luke 3, not as presented in Matthew 1. The view in Matthew 1 is narrow and is limited to Israel. The view in Luke 3 is broad and includes all of mankind. Evidence that the coming Christ as the embodiment of God is not only for the one race chosen by God but for the entire human race created by God. Life-study of 1 & 2 Chronicles, pp. 3-4, by Witness Lee
We need to see that God’s move is in man’s history…We need to believe that God has been moving and is still moving in and through man’s history. I can testify from my observation of the world situation since 1918 and from my study of the prophecies in the Bible that God surely moves in man’s history. Let us consider…the dispute over Palestine…Who is the landlord, the rightful owner, of the good land—Israel or the Arabs?…God is the landlord of Palestine, and only He can solve the problem concerning this land. I believe that while the statesmen are negotiating over the ownership of the good land, the Lord is in the heavens laughing (Psa. 2:4)…Soon the Lord Jesus may come back and settle this matter. When He comes, He may say to thestatesmen of the world, “This is not your business—it is My business.” Collected Works of Watchman Nee, vol. 60, pp. 444-445
May the Lord unveil us to see the revelation that God’s move in man’s history prepares the way for God to carry out His eternal economy by His becoming a man that man may become God in life and in nature but not in the Godhead for the producing and building up of the church as the Body of Christ to consummate the New Jerusalem for His ultimate expression.
Amen, may we pray to cooperate with God’s economy, seeing that only the Lord’s second coming will solve all of today’s world problems.
Dear brother, the books of history from Joshua to Esther – written for our admonition – show us God’s move in man’s history to prepare a good number of God-men in His eternal economy to be His bride for the Lord to return to bring in His Kingdom!
Apart from His second coming there will be no way to solve the problems of injustice, war, famine, oppressive government on the earth.
We were chosen in Him to be holy and without blemish before the foundation of the world to be such ones to fulfill His economy through judicial redemption and organic salvation that we might reign with Him!
Hallelujah! Christ came not only for the one race chosen by God, but for the entire human race created by Him.
God’s move in human history is to prepare the way for Christ to carry out His eternal economy in humanity by becoming a man that man may become God.
The problems on Earth are waiting for one thing — for a good number of men to become God-men.
Without the second coming of the Lord, salvation cannot be completed.
May we cooperate with the desire of the Lord to bring salvation to the whole Earth by working out our salvation that we may attain to the outstanding resurrection.
Do it in us Lord and we praise you for choosing us before the foundation of the world! Thank you for making us part of your eternal economy! Keep us in track with your move till you return to possess the earth Lord!
Eph. 1:4 Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blemish before Him
O Lord you chose us before the foundation of the world!
I am fearfully and wonderfully made!
Thank you Lord you will return soon to bring us into the New Jerusalem when we shall see you as you are!
Hallelujah!
Yes Lord! Come Lord Jesus!
Aaaaameeeen Lord unveil us that we may see.
Ammeenn!!
Hallelujah for God’s move in man’s history. Within man’s history of the divine history to carry out God’s economy to produce and build up the church as the Body of Christ for Christ as the means for Christ to head up all things in the universe and to consummate the goal of His economy that is the New Jerusalem.