A Grander Scheme: The Plan (Part 1)

One Year Bible (July 15)

I Chronicles 19:1-21:30

A GRANDER SCHEME: “The Plan” (Part One)

There is a 1980 movie called, “Somewhere in Time”.

The setting for this movie was the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. From the majestic hotel setting to the nostalgic music of another era, this show has romance, intrigue, and mystery calling the viewer to “go back in time”.

The main character, a playwright, becomes enthralled with a vintage photograph that he sees hanging on the hotel’s wall. He discovers a music box that plays his favorite musical piece, the 18th variation of ‘Rhapsody Theme of Paganini’ by Rachmaninoff.

This playwright becomes obsessed with traveling back to 1912 in order to meet the beautiful woman with whom he has “fallen in love”. What makes all this even more mysterious is the fact that this playwright, had an encounter eight years BEFORE he ever went to the Grand Hotel.

Eight years earlier, while celebrating the debut of his new play, an elderly woman (he did not know) came up to him, placed an old pocket watch in his hands, and pleads, “Come Back To Me"! The woman returns to her home and dies in her sleep that very night!

The movie marquee reads... “Somewhere in the past, he will find her…Somewhere in Time.”

These, my friends are the words that describe the journey that we are beginning in a passage that is the central focus of Chronicles. Even as the book continues to unfold with details, we are going to stay centered in chapter 21 and interpret the “GRANDER SCHEME" in light of many mysterious and intriguing details that will unfold before our very eyes.

“The Chronicler”, much like the playwright, is calling the people on behalf of God to, “Come Back To Me”!

There is a POCKET WATCH that is the Message being placed in their HANDS.

This CLOCK will remind them of their HISTORY in order for them to find their HOPE!

Their journey will take them back to view their PAST in order to see their FUTURE.

Unlike I & 11 Samuel and I & 11 Kings, this author, The Chronicler, has a different purpose. His purpose is prophetic and visionary in nature. His message of HOPE is written to people who have lost much of their past and have no vision of their future.

They are lost “SOMEWHERE IN TIME”.

“The Chronicler” will tell them of their GRAND HERITAGE with David, Solomon, and the temple as he points them to the GRAND INHERITANCE through the FUTURE MESSIAH.

To foreshadow is to give a “slight glimpse” or “sneak peek” of what is to come. It means to “foresee”, “predict”, and ‘allude” to what is to come in the future.

I invite you to read the passage of I Chronicles 21 each day as you continue through the rest of the book. Write down your questions, thoughts, and observations.

What is the “bigger picture” that is coming to light? What is hidden and what is revealed?

As we begin this journey, I want to ask you a question…

What are the TWO WORDS that tell the “GRAND THEME” of the entire Bible? (Please, drop your two words in the comments below.)

The movie, “Somewhere In Time” is certainly one of many that focus on humans traveling through time, but what about a God who ACTUALLY does JUST THAT?

“WHAT IF” there is an ACTUAL man who takes on form, space, time, and humanity so that we may truly love and be loved?

“WHAT IF” the “Mercy Seat” points us to this different time?

“WHAT IF” the genealogies, like the pictures hanging on the wall of the Grand Hotel, point God’s people to a GRANDER love that is waiting for each and every one of us?

“WHAT IF”… this glimpse into the future (foreshadowing) is filled with glimpses of GRACE and a complete LOVE?

God has answered the question of “What IF” for all of God’s people, “For HE CHOSE us IN HIM before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. IN LOVE. (Ephesians 1:4)

May we read this OT passage with NT eyes…The Chronicler is bringing out the pocket watch and placing it in the people’s hands and inviting HIS people, “Come Back to Me”.

“Somewhere In Time” is more than a movie; it is The Master Plan of God.

This, my friends, is A GRANDER SCHEME.

“May the Lord’s will be done.” ( I Chron. 20:13B)