One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne.
Psalm 132
God’s covenant with David reveals that right worship and everlasting authority are inseparable. David’s predecessor, Saul, was removed from the throne of Israel when Saul acted rashly and did not worship God in the appointed manner and he did not kill Agag. Saul reflected a heart not intent on worshiping the Lord. Because David committed to worship the Lord, God made an everlasting covenant with David. God promised that David would never fail to have a son on the throne of Israel, that his authority would be exercised forever. Now, God was not obligated to choose David’s line, nor was He obligated to grant David a perpetual reign over His people. God’s choice was by grace and guaranteed by the Lord’s gracious decision to swear an oath, as today’s verse tells us. God made conditions in this covenant as Psalm 132 tells us that the sons of David have to keep the Lord’s covenant regulations if they are to sit on the throne. But, the Davidic covenant is unconditional, David cannot fail to have a son on the throne, because only the obedient son of David will sit on his throne forever. Both Matthew and Luke, in the lineages given, resolve, in Christ, the son of David according to the flesh. Obviously, being the eternal second person of the Trinity, Jesus’ reign is eternal. Yet, Jesus also enjoyed exaltation as the God-man to an everlasting reign on David’s throne because of His perfect obedience to His Father’s commands. Thus, we can be confident in the psalmist’s declaration that God’s chosen king will rule from Zion, and we will worship Him forever. Until Christ returns, enemies will rebel against Christ’s rule, but their eventual defeat is sure (v. 18). One well known theologian comments, “The . . . people of God will never enjoy such peace on earth as altogether to escape being assaulted by the variety of enemies which Satan stirs up for their destruction. It is enough to have it declared, upon divine authority, that their attempts shall be unsuccessful, and that they will retire eventually with ignominy and disgrace.” God’s promises to David are sure, and this is good news for us. Because Christ surely reigns over all creation, even now, and, we will surely reign with Him as Scripture has told us in 2 Timothy 2:12. This means that any defeat that the kingdom of God seems to suffer in this present age is not really a defeat at all. The Lord will reign victorious, and all His and our enemies will acknowledge this reign. In Christ we can endure any hardship or attack that we and the rest of His church suffer in the meantime.
Source: S C Ball December 15, 2023
Leave a Reply