Some years ago I spent several weeks during the summer indexing and classifying the Scripture texts in all the volumes of published sermons on my study shelves. Many interesting trends and preferences emerged from this tabulation; for example, among some 4,000 printed sermons only two preachers had ever done a sermon from the Book of Chronicles. And little wonder, someone might very well say. Here is an Old Testament book which in 65 chapters attempts an accounting of a confused and confusing mishmash of the careers of ancient Jewish kings, priests and military figures with all their intrigues, double-dealings, moral escapades and tribal warfare against a wide backdrop of God’s judgments and blessings.

This leads us to the final verses of the last chapter of 2 Chronicles (36:11-23). Here, y…