Episode Summary

Podcast: Cornerstone Chapel - Audio Podcast
Episode: God’s Mercy is in the Waiting
Date: December 3, 2025

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode explores the themes of faithfulness, the detailed roles designated by God within His people, and especially the patient mercy God extends in the waiting. The discussion moves through key passages in 1 Chronicles 9 & 10, focusing on the heritage and responsibilities of the Levites and priests, the tragic end of King Saul, and the underlying message of God’s enduring mercy.

Detailed Breakdown

1. Historical Context and Purpose of Chronicles

• Genealogical Recap:

  • [00:56] The book of Chronicles, originally a single book called Devrai Hayamim ("Words of the Days") in the Jewish Bible, serves as a handbook for Jews returning from Babylon after 70 years of captivity.
  • Many returnees either had little memory of Israel or were born in captivity, so understanding their heritage, worship, and history was crucial.
  • Quote: “Because 70 years has passed, a lot of the people ... have very little memory of their homeland.” (01:49)

• A Painful History Omitted:

  • The author skips detailing the captivity itself, which was a result of Israel's unfaithfulness, moving swiftly from exile to restoration.
  • Quote: “There’s a 70-year gap between verse one and verse two that he doesn’t talk about because it’s painful for them to recite their history and to realize that they ended up in captivity because of their own unfaithfulness.” (03:29)

2. Israel’s Heritage and the Levites

• Genealogy of the Nation and Levites:

  • [04:00] The nation’s roots are traced from Abraham through Isaac and Jacob (whose name became Israel), then to the 12 tribes—focusing in this episode on Levi, the third son.
  • Levi’s descendants—particularly via Aaron—were set apart for temple duties.
  • Quote (lighthearted): “Levi’s who we’re going to look at now. He’s got good genes, by the way. Okay, it’s… come on, it’s late, it’s Christmas season.” (04:58)

• Distinction between Priests and Levites:

  • [08:19] “Every priest was a Levite, but not every Levite was a priest.”
  • Only Aaron’s descendants could be priests; all other Levites performed important temple duties (gatekeepers, singers, treasurers, etc.).

• Sacred Responsibilities and God’s Orderliness:

  • [10:34] Significant detail is given to each temple duty to illustrate God’s character as orderly and purposeful.
  • Quote: "God is a God of detail. He’s a God of order. ... All these things were pointing to the ultimate sacrifice." (13:13)

3. Fulfillment in Christ

• Jesus as the Sacrificial Lamb and High Priest:

  • [13:45] The roles and rituals established in the Old Testament point to Jesus, who fulfills both sacrificial and high priestly roles.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “For indeed Christ, our Passover was sacrificed for us.” (1 Corinthians 5:7)
    • “We do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)

• Contrast with the Tedious Sacrificial System:

  • [15:10] The speaker describes the extreme detail, the physical and emotional reality of sacrifices, drawing a visceral picture of Old Testament worship vs. what Christ accomplishes.
  • Quote: “Imagine the stench and the sounds of lambs bleating as they were being sacrificed. All of this was pointing to the ultimate sacrifice where Jesus would die on a cross for our sins.” (15:56)

4. The Tragic End of Saul

• Summary of 1 Chronicles 10:

  • [17:24] Chapter shifts to the end of Saul’s life: in battle, mortally wounded, Saul falls on his own sword. His sons die with him, except Ish Bosheth, who briefly becomes king.
  • Philistines mutilate Saul’s body and display his head and armor in their temples; valiant Israelites recover and bury the remains.
  • [22:00] Discussion of the Philistine god Dagon and the symbolic humiliation of Saul's corpse.
  • Commentary on the acceptability of cremation in the Bible, referencing Saul’s cremation.
  • Quote: “From dust we were created and to dust we shall return. ... 30 minutes at about 1600 degrees Fahrenheit or 30 years by natural decomposition. Take your pick.” (24:17)

• Lessons from Saul’s Life:

  • [25:04] Saul’s downfall is directly linked to unfaithfulness—specifically incomplete obedience (spares Agag and the best livestock) and seeking guidance from a medium rather than God.
    • Quote: “90% obedience is 100% disobedience. Saul was a 90% guy.” (28:07)
  • “I don’t think anybody here would say, if you’re married, I want a spouse who’s 90% faithful to me. Well, God doesn’t want 90% faithfulness from us. He wants 100% faithfulness.” (28:18)

5. God’s Mercy in the Waiting

• The Title’s Main Point:
  • [28:48] Even after Saul’s first act of disobedience, God gives him approximately 15 years before judgment falls.
    • Quote: “God’s mercy is in the waiting. ... He gave Saul 15 years to humble himself and to get right with the Lord. ... Taking him out wasn’t God’s first action. It was his last resort.” (28:53)
  • The encouragement: “Be quick to repent before time runs out.” (30:57)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Time | Speaker | Quote | |----------|---------|-------| | 01:49 | A | “Because 70 years has passed, ... they have very little memory of their homeland.” | | 13:13 | A | "God is a God of detail. He’s a God of order. ... All these things were pointing to the ultimate sacrifice." | | 15:56 | A | “Imagine the stench and the sounds of lambs bleating as they were being sacrificed. All of this was pointing to the ultimate sacrifice where Jesus would die on a cross for our sins.” | | 24:17 | A | “From dust we were created and to dust we shall return. ... 30 minutes at about 1600 degrees Fahrenheit or 30 years by natural decomposition. Take your pick.” | | 28:07 | A | “90% obedience is 100% disobedience. Saul was a 90% guy.” | | 28:53 | A | “God’s mercy is in the waiting. ... Taking him out wasn’t God’s first action. It was his last resort.” | | 30:57 | A | “Be quick to repent before time runs out.” |

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – 04:45: Setting the scene, genealogies, and Israel’s post-exile context
• 05:22 – 13:45: Levite roles, temple service, God’s order in sacred duties
• 13:45 – 17:24: The sacrificial system fulfilled in Christ
• 17:24 – 25:04: The narrative of King Saul’s defeat and death
• 25:04 – 28:48: Analysis of Saul’s failures: “90% obedience is 100% disobedience”
• 28:48 – 30:57: God’s patient mercy in the waiting; concluding applications and prayer

Conclusion

The episode weaves a systematic, verse-by-verse teaching style with practical and spiritual insights, urging listeners toward wholehearted faithfulness and gratitude for God’s patient mercy. With historical context, biblical exposition, and modern application, the speaker challenges believers not to be "90% people" and to seek God’s full favor and grace while time allows.