May 25- The Seed of David

May 25, 2011

Scripture Readings:
2 Samuel 7:1-8:18; John 14:15-31;
Psalm 119:33-48; Proverbs 15:33

From a small seed a mighty trunk may grow. 
~Aeschylus

2 Samuel 7:1-8:18

A number of years ago when my children were little, I thought it would be a good thing for them to see a plant grow from seed.  So we got some vegetable seeds and planted them in rich dirt in little pots down in the dark basement of our home.  Once the little plants got to a certain stage, we set them on the porch to acclimate to the outdoors.  Eventually, they were ready to be placed in the dirt in our garden.  It took a number of months of disciplined watering and careful weeding to eventually harvest peppers and tomatoes from the small seeds we planted.  Today, God is going to make a covenant with David and promise that a seed from David will become the king of a kingdom that will reign forever.

As our story begins, David is sitting in a beautiful cedar palace built for him by Hiram, the King of Tyre.  He is feeling guilty because the Ark of God is being kept in a tent.  David decides to build God a beautiful house like the one that Hiram built for him.  Nathan, the prophet, agrees that this is a good idea.  But not so fast!  God tells Nathan to go back to David and tell him the following:

• I (God) have always lived in a tent, moving from place to place and have never requested a temple to be built.
• I have chosen you (David) to be a leader in Israel and I chose you when you were just a shepherd boy.
• I am the one who has destroyed all of your enemies.
• I am going to make you famous throughout the land.
• I am providing a permanent home for the people of Israel.
• They will never be disturbed here.
• This is a place where the wicked nations will not oppress them.
• I am going to build a house for you...it will be a dynasty of kings.
• One of your descendants will be raised up to build a temple for me.
• One of your descendants will have a throne and kingdom that will last forever.
• I will be that king's father and he will be my son.
• He will be punished for sin by the nations.
• His kingdom will never be taken away from him.

• The throne of David, through this descendant will continue for all time and be secure forever.

As you might imagine, David is dumbfounded by this revelation of God.  He realizes that the Messiah, who will save the world from the problem of sin, is going to come from his (David's) seed.  The promise that was given to Eve in the garden will be fulfilled through David's family.  The child that will bless all nations, as promised to Abraham, is going to be born through David's line. David praises God for being sovereign and able to accomplish His will on earth.  David claims the promise that God has given to him and confirms that this is a lasting promise and an eternal blessing.

Please note some things about what God covenants with David.  First, God chooses to identify with man by living in a tent.  Indeed, Jesus Christ put on the tent of a human body and moved throughout our world temporarily to save us through death.  Second, God chooses David as a shepherd boy to lead others.  Jesus is our Good Shepherd, just as David, Christ's forefather, was a shepherd. Third, God's promise to provide a permanent homeland where no nations would oppress Israel has not been fulfilled yet.  Fourth, Solomon (David's son) will build God a temple in Jerusalem.  Fifth, Jesus is the king whose reign lasts forever.  He is God's Son and God is his Father. David's seed becomes the Savior of the world, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords.  God's promise to David is fulfilled. David's seed has a kingdom that will last forever.

In the final part of our reading, God's promise that David will become famous throughout the land is fulfilled as David defeats the surrounding enemies.

God has given you promises, also.  Have you claimed the blessings that God is offering to you?  Does your life reflect the confirmation to God that you realize He is blessing you? Have you accepted His blessings by faith?

John 14:15-31

Jesus introduces the concept of the Holy Spirit to the disciples.  He's letting them know that when he physically leaves this earth, he will send a Counselor to be with them spiritually. The Holy Spirit is the part of the Godhead who leads people into Truth once Jesus is back in heaven.  Jesus says that his resurrection will be the proof that what he is telling them is the Truth.

The disciples wonder why Jesus is only revealing this information to them.  Jesus begins to help them understand that the Holy Spirit is going to take the role of spreading the Truth of the Gospel through the followers of Christ to the whole world.  The Holy Spirit will spread the gospel while Jesus is in heaven.  Jesus confirms that he will be coming back to earth at the appropriate time.  He is leaving them with peace in their minds and hearts. They are not to be afraid, but be happy that Christ is going away.  It means that he will return again, one day.

This is a shocking lesson to the disciples.  They didn't really understand that part of the plan was going to be Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. They now are beginning to realize that they will be left on earth without him.  Not good, in their minds....  They will later understand the role of the Holy Spirit as a counselor, comforter, and teacher.  Right now, they don't get it.

Do you realize that God communes with you in the form of the Holy Spirit if you have received Christ as your Savior?  Do you find comfort in the Holy Spirit?  Can you pin point times where God's Holy Spirit taught you Truth?

Psalm 119:33-48

This psalm is asking God to teach and give understanding to the psalmist.  I like this verse, "Help me abandon my shameful ways; your laws are all I want in life,"  and later, "renew my life with your goodness."

Oh, this is a heart for God.

Proverbs 15:33

Fearing the Lord, like David did, teaches a person to be wise.  Humility is required before you will receive honor from God.

What did you notice today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
© 2011