1 Chronicles 9:1 So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah… The text speaks of those who were "carried away to Babylon for their transgression." In every age and land sin means exile. It is a fruitful source of division, of painful and hurtful separation. Sin, which is "the transgression of the Law," makes us go out into "a far country." It takes us - I. TO A STATE OF SEPARATION FROM GOD (Isaiah 59:2): from his conscious presence, his favour, his likeness, his dwelling-place. II. FAR FROM A TRUE, AN IDEAL MANHOOD. We sink a long way below the level of a pure, holy, estimable humanity. III. INTO THE DREARY REGION OF RESTLESSNESS, MISERY, DESPAIR. IV. To "THE FAR COUNTRY" OF INDIFFERENCE, HEARTLESSNESS ("past feeling," Ephesians 4:19), UTTER UNBELIEF. V. To "THE OUTER DARKNESS" OF FINAL EXILE FROM THE CITY OF GOD. - C. Parallel Verses KJV: So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression. |
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