Category: Davidic Covenant

A Light to David #1

Friday, July 5, 2024

“And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there” (1 Kings 11:36 KJV).

What is this “light” the LORD God has for David in Jerusalem?

Three times we read of how the God of Israel has given a light for King David in the city of Jerusalem. Its first occurrence is today’s Scripture: “And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there” (1 Kings 11:36). Next, there is 2 Kings 8:19: “Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant’s sake, as he promised him to give him alway a light, and to his children.” Finally, 2 Chronicles 21:7: “Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.”

When analyzing a Bible verse, we should try to collect related passages. In this case of the “light” the LORD God has for David in Jerusalem, we have located three statements that will prove useful in defining the term. We know, for example, how Jerusalem is said to be the place where the LORD God (JEHOVAH God) has put His name (1 Kings 11:36). To wit, Jerusalem is God’s capital city for Earth, the city where He Himself will one day reign: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:2,3).

This prophecy of Isaiah is also connected to David….

Christ Liveth in Me

Sunday, March 31, 2024

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).

“He is risen” is not a simple blasé cliché!

When Jesus’ disciples came to His tomb on that glorious Sunday morning nearly 2,000 years ago, they were startled to find it empty! Angels inform them that He has resurrected, but they are still in shock (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-8). Jesus Christ Himself must later explain the Scriptures to them regarding what happened those last few days (Luke 24:44-46).

However, until Paul’s ministry, Christ’s finished crosswork is not preached as good news for salvation. Peter and Israel’s other apostles simply preach that Jesus Christ is now resurrected to “sit on [David’s] throne” (Acts 2:30)—that is bad news for much of Israel, for they still reject Him, weeks and months after His resurrection and ascension. Throughout early Acts, Israel’s apostles warn her that Jesus Christ is coming back to judge them.

When we come to the Apostle Paul’s ministry, we learn that we Gentiles can benefit from Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork. Israel’s rejected Messiah is now our way to heaven! Yes, Israel hated Him, and demanded that He experience the most awful method of execution devised, but God allowed it in order to accomplish His will. Satan attempted to hinder God’s will by having Christ killed, but all that did was provide the method whereby God could save us pagan Gentiles. Calvary’s finished crosswork frees us from Satan’s evil system and gives us a chance to be God’s people (Acts 26:17,18)!

As people who have trusted Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for our sins, that crucifixion is our death to self and sin, and that resurrection is our raising to walk in newness of life—His life (today’s Scripture; cf. Romans 6:1-11)!

Indeed, Jesus Christ is alive, and He lives in and through those who walk by faith in God’s Word to them, Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon! 🙂

HAPPY EASTER!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study by the same name. That study can be read here or watched here.

God’s Perfect Timing

Sunday, December 17, 2023

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:4,5 KJV).

As today’s Scripture indicates, the birth of Jesus Christ was no accident—God planned its exact moment from eternity past.

When God placed the first man, Adam, on earth, He purposed that man would “subdue [control] it,” to “have dominion” over it and everything on it (Genesis 1:28). Nevertheless, Adam sinned by joining Satan in his rebellion against God. Because of sin, man was now unable to accomplish on earth what God originally created him to do. God left the human race a promise, however, that there would come a Man, who would do what Adam failed to do. Instead of cooperating with God’s adversary like Adam had, this “seed of the woman” would “bruise [Satan’s] head” (Genesis 3:15).

Traveling up through the Scriptures, we see how God lays the groundwork for that seedline. In Genesis 12:1-3, or 2,000 years after Adam’s sin, we read God’s covenant with Abraham, that through Abraham a nation, Israel, will be born, and salvation and blessing will flow to the Gentiles through Israel. The seed of the woman becomes the seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16).

In 2 Samuel 7:12-16, and 1,000 years after Abraham, we read of God’s covenant with King David, that “his seed” will inherit his throne and reign forever. The seed of the woman and of Abraham becomes the seed of David.

About 1,000 years after David, Matthew 1:1 speaks of Christ’s birth, and declares, “…Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” This is exactly what God had promised for thousands of years!

Jesus Christ’s birth was not some haphazard event of nature. God the Father had preplanned the exact moment of the incarnation of His Son, Jesus Christ (today’s Scripture). Over a period of some 4,000 years, the three members of the Godhead worked to bring about the birth of man’s Redeemer, a plan they had even before man was created! Amazing!

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks #2

Saturday, December 9, 2023

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11,12 KJV).

The third and fourth verses of the classic Christmas carol paraphrase today’s Scripture.

“‘To you, in David’s town, this day,
Is born of David’s line
A Savior, who is Christ the Lord;
And this shall be the sign
And this shall be the sign.
The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swaddling-clothes
And in a manger laid
And in a manger laid.’”

Bethlehem-Judah—not to be confused with the Bethlehem of northern Israel—was known for being King David’s birthplace (1 Samuel 16:18). It was also where his great-grandmother Ruth had lived (Ruth 1:19). But, Bethlehem-Judah (or Bethlehem-Ephratah, or Bethlehem-Judaea) was no Jerusalem, or Rome, or Alexandria, major cities at that time. Nevertheless, the shadows/types/previews were present.

Jesus Christ had come to fulfill the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16). He is the Son of David who can accomplish the governmental part of the Abrahamic Covenant. Reading from Luke chapter 1: “[31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. [32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: [33] And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” God had His Son born in Bethlehem of Judah, the same place where King David was born 1,000 years earlier!

The angel said it was easy for the shepherds to find Baby Jesus. There was only one Bethlehem-Judah, and there was only one manger in that little town that held a little Baby tightly wrapped in clothes. That little Baby would grow up to be a Man, mature and thus fully able to reign from David’s throne. No wonder the angels proceeded to sing such wonderful news!

What Child Is This? #1

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:30-33 KJV).

The first verse of the classic Christmas carol highlights today’s Scripture.

“What child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.”

Such an event had never before happened in human history. God had promised “the seed of the woman” to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15), but it was 4,000 years later that Mary was identified as that “woman.” That the Creator God would take upon Himself the flesh of sinful man, though Himself never being defiled by sin (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22). Unheard of in pagan religions!

The angels understood the Old Testament prophecies about God’s Son being born of a human mother. She was a “virgin,” a young woman (perhaps in her teens) who had never had any sexual relations with a man (Luke 1:34). On the night of Baby Jesus’ birth into the human race—the culmination of humanity added to His deity—the angels appeared in the sky and sang, to encourage the shepherds in the nearby fields to hurry to Bethlehem to see a little Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes (Luke 2:8-14).

“[15] And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”

Once the shepherds came to Bethlehem, and found Baby Jesus, they beheld such a strange sight!

Palsy #4

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What exactly is “palsy?” Why does the Bible feature it?

“Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee” (Matthew 9:2). “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee” (Mark 2:5). “Man, thy sins are forgiven thee” (Luke 5:20). This healing of the paralytic is performed in conjunction with the forgiveness of sins of a certain “son” or a “man.” Who does this cured person represent?

If we are Bible students, this title “son” should remind us of verses such as Exodus 4:22,23: “And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.” Also, Hosea 11:1: “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” Israel is God’s son-nation in the Earth. As a son works with his father in the family business, so Israel was to accomplish God’s will in the Earth.

Alas, like all descendants of Adam, the Israelites had a sin problem—a sin problem that spiritually incapacitated them. Sin is a spiritual disease: it disables the spiritual body just like physical disease immobilizes the physical body. How can they possibly serve Him in the Earth? This is the lesson to be learned with the healing of the paralytics in the Bible. If Israel is to function as God’s kingdom of priests in the Earth, He must address their spiritual infirmity. Like the man afflicted with physical palsy, they are spiritually bedridden, for spiritual palsy has stricken them! They can do nothing for Him, and they are just as powerless to do anything for themselves.

Like Pharaoh kept Israel in bondage, so sin enslaves them. In both cases, the LORD must intervene to liberate them. Christ healing the man sick of the palsy (paralytic) represents God’s restoring Israel to service (spiritual mobility)….

Palsy #3

Monday, October 16, 2023

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What exactly is “palsy?” Why does the Bible feature it?

Let us recall how the name “palsy” is actually an altered form of the word “paralysis.” Whereas modern English speakers rarely use “palsy” alone, it is still found in the titles of medical conditions such as “Bell’s palsy” (facial paralysis) and “cerebral palsy” (paralysis due to an abnormal or damaged brain). These are examples of muscle weakness disrupting or preventing mobility and/or movement.

Going back to Matthew 9:1-8: “[1] And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. [2] And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. [3] And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. [4] And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? [5] For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? [6] But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. [7] And he arose, and departed to his house. [8] But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.”

Also recorded in Mark 2:1-12 (additional details) and Luke 5:17-26 (even more details), Christ Jesus’ healing of this bedridden paralytic is connected to a “son” or a “man” whose sins are forgiven. “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee” (Matthew 9:2). “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee” (Mark 2:5). “Man, thy sins are forgiven thee” (Luke 5:20). Herein is the key to unlocking the riddle of palsy in Scripture….

Palsy #2

Sunday, October 15, 2023

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What exactly is “palsy?” Why does the Bible feature it?

Let us read today’s Scripture in its context: “[17] From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand…. [23] And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. [24] And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.”

Another verse helpful in this regard is Luke 8:1: “And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,….” The Lord’s earthly ministry involved the preaching of a kingdom, God’s kingdom—the Gospel (“Good News”) of the Kingdom. In addition to a verbal message or a proclamation of words (“the kingdom of heaven is at hand;” Matthew 4:17), there was a physical or visual confirmation of the message. If God’s kingdom were really near—“at hand,” or within Israel’s grasp—there would be not just words but sights to see and sounds to hear.

“For the Jews require a sign” (1 Corinthians 1:22). What could signify, or serve as a sign, to Israel’s people that their long-promised Messiah or Saviour had come to reign and fulfill the Davidic Covenant of 2 Samuel 7:12-17 and Isaiah 9:6,7? How could Jesus “shew” (cause to be seen, demonstrate) the Glad Tidings (Good News or Gospel) of the Kingdom? What credentials could He offer to validate His identity and work? Why, His miracle-working would serve this purpose, and His curing of palsy would impart Father God’s revelation to Israel….

Solomon and Jesus #15

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

“And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (2 Samuel 7:12,13 KJV).

Let us search the Scriptures to see how Solomon is a type of the antitype Jesus….

Whether Psalm 72, Psalm 89, or Psalm 132, we find hints of both Solomon (immediately) and Jesus (ultimately) fulfilling the Davidic Covenant (cf. today’s Scripture). Solomon typifies the Lord Jesus in at least 13 particulars. Both are sons of David and both are heirs to his throne. Solomon and Jesus are shepherds. They are both kings. Each possesses and expresses God’s wisdom. Solomon and Jesus are both highly exalted and materially prosperous. Peace, the end of war, is the hallmark of each kingdom. Judgment and justice or righteousness highlight their reigns. Both monarchs have worldwide fame and influence. The Gentiles or non-Jews bring physical wealth to honor both Solomon and Christ.

King Solomon and King Jesus each build houses for the LORD (Father God), Solomon erecting a physical structure (Jerusalem Temple) and Jesus forming a spiritual building (Israel’s Little Flock or believing remnant; Luke 12:32). Solomon’s intimate relationship with his sexually-pure wife represents Christ’s union to Israel’s spiritually-pure Little Flock at His Second Coming and subsequent earthly kingdom.

Jesus Christ declared, “The queen of the south [Queen of Sheba] shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here” (Matthew 12:42; cf. Luke 11:31). This “greater than Solomon” is (superior) King Jesus Christ Himself—whom unbelieving Israel refuses to hear and believe in Matthew to John! Messiah Jesus and His kingdom miracles are connected to “Solomon’s Porch” in John 10:23, Acts 3:11, and Acts 5:12. This portico or covered walkway of the Jerusalem Temple again relates Christ Jesus’ kingdom (antitype) to Solomon’s kingdom (type). Had Israel been trusting their Old Testament Scriptures, they would have seen these striking similarities and accepted Jesus as Messiah (David’s Son) instead of crucifying Him in unbelief (John 19:14-16)!

-FINIS!-

Solomon and Jesus #14

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

“And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (2 Samuel 7:12,13 KJV).

Let us search the Scriptures to see how Solomon is a type of the antitype Jesus….

King Solomon “…spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five” (1 Kings 4:32). Some of these witty sayings, obviously, have been preserved for us in the Bible Book of Proverbs (God’s wisdom as expressed through Solomon). As for his songs, we have one of them too—the Bible Book known as “Song of Solomon.” “The song of songs, which is Solomon’s” (Song of Solomon 1:1).

Song of Solomon is a love poem, graphically recounting Solomon and his wife as they courted, wed, and enjoyed married life. Although he eventually had 1,000 lovers (see 1 Kings 11:3), his original romantic relationship was likely with Naamah (mother of his son, Rehoboam; see 2 Chronicles 12:13). Interestingly, before he was a king, Solomon was a shepherd (Song of Solomon 1:7), matching Jesus Christ who is both Shepherd (Psalm 23:1; John 10:14; 1 Peter 2:25) and King (Luke 1:31-33; Acts 2:30; Revelation 19:16).

Nevertheless, once Solomon abandoned God’s wisdom (Proverbs), he participated in Satan’s evil world system (Ecclesiastes—life apart from the LORD God). Recall his downfall of 1 Kings 11:1-8. Here, Solomon represents the Antichrist, another apostate and idolatrous Israeli king, future from us (see Daniel 8:23-25). As Solomon fashioned a chair for himself by counterfeiting God’s white judgment throne (1 Kings 10:18-20; 2 Chronicles 9:17-19; cf. Revelation 20:11), connecting himself to the number “six” (man’s number), so the Antichrist will sit in the Temple’s Mercy Seat pretending to be God (see Daniel 11:36,37; 2 Thessalonians 2:4) and associating himself with “666” (Revelation 13:16-18)!

Song of Solomon accentuates sexual purity. Solomon’s first wife epitomizes Israel’s believing remnant (Christ’s bride; Hosea 2:14-23) adopting Proverbs’ wisdom, who thereby avoids the spiritual fornication (diabolical, idolatrous religion) of the Antichrist (Ecclesiastes). The true King, Jesus Christ, is approaching for His marriage (Matthew 22:1-14; Matthew 25:1-13; Revelation 19:7-9), exactly like Solomon was en route with his true love expecting him (Song of Solomon 8:14; cf. Revelation 22;17,20)!

We summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….