Jump Start # 3077

1 Kings 4:3 “Elihoreph and Ahijah the sons of Shisha, secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud, court historian.”

I have finally found my dream position in the Bible. How often when we read do we wonder what it would have been like to stand in the shoes of those recorded in the Bible. What would it be like to be King David, or the Apostle Paul, or Noah. So many people. So many lives.

Our verse today comes from the Christian Standard Bible. Other translations use the expression “recorder,” which sounds like a person that writes down all that was said in the court room. The CSB (Christian Standard Bible) expresses this position as “court historian.” In fact, it’s the only translation that I can find that uses “court historian.” Most simply say “recorder.” Jehoshaphat, the court historian. I like that. He’d be the guy digging through the archives. He would study up on what was done before, likely during the days of David. The resident historian. The one who knew what happened long ago. That’s the one I’d like to be. I expect there’s a difference between the recorder and the court historian, but for now, I’m leaning towards the historian aspect of things.

First, it would be the historian who ought to know how things ought to be. In many ways, each of us are Biblical historians. We know the story. We know what is supposed to be. We can sense when things don’t sound right. And, when something new comes down the road, we are the ones to go digging in the Scriptures to see if it’s right. The Bereans were like that. In ways they, too, were historians.

Far too many have their eyes set on the future that they have no interest in what the past says. And, without that anchor in the ground, one is easily blown to the winds of error, speculations and rebellion and they do not even know it. Oh, the historian does. He knows what God has said. He knows what God expects. Those who never look to the past, are tripping over each other trying to introduce newer and newer ways to catch the attention of an entertainment thirsty crowd. What was once done in the past is of no concern for these folks. The past is not even a guideline. It’s left in the past and it is never looked at.

Strangely, many of these cutting edge preachers today never realize that the men that they quote and helped start their movements would be opposed to the very things being done today. Read what these ancients wrote. Most were opposed to the crazy things being done in the name of religion today.

Second, each of our congregations have a history. It’s good to know that history. Some congregations have a consistent history of faithfulness. Others have bounced around a bit, but here they are today. One ought to know the names of those who started the congregation where you worship. One ought to see how humble the early days were. A lot of prayers and hard work went into getting a foothold in that community. We learn that as we look to the past.

Third, we all have our own history. We all have come to Jesus in different ways. Some families go back generations and generations in the Lord’s work. My family is like that. Others are the first generation to faithfully follow the Lord. It’s good to tell your story to your children. It’s good that they learn the family religious history. Those things are precious and they add value as to why we do what we do.

The court historian. Wonder where he was when Solomon started introducing idols? Wonder what he thought about Solomon marrying all those foreign women? Maybe he was lost in some old dusty scrolls, but it seems that he should have said something to the king. His position and his knowledge of the past may have been of great help had Solomon listened.

And, like that, you can be the one who helps keep your family and your congregation centered and focused upon the Lord. When we take our eyes off of Jesus, trouble happens. The historian knows that. Cain. Nadab and Abihu. The sons of Korah. Later on, Jeroboam. In the New Testament, Alexander. More than just names, a history of changing things and introducing things that God did not. Those that stop walking in the direction of the Lord, find themselves in all kinds of trouble. History shows that.

God is not interested in the new, novel, never been done before. History tells us that. God wants us to please Him by doing what He has expressed. Tell me the old, old story—to do that, one must know that old, old story.

The court historian—that’d be my job if I could pick one.

Roger