2Sam 7

God is all-powerful, all-wise and all for you! He has made a series of covenants, which are God’s job descriptions which he signs – He will withhold no good thing from those who love Him. The covenants, except Noah’s covenant, all have a condition for us. That we follow and obey!

2 Samuel 7 is the account of God’s covenant with David. As with many prophetic passages, there’s a telescope of events collapsed into one view. So we have David’s son Solomon who will build a temple. David himself will die (v12), but his Son will build it v12-13. Solomon will be a sinner who needs chastising v14 and yet there is a kingdom forever v17. Eternity is being shaped. There’s a bigger everlasting son in play here.

Isaiah sees that most clearly when he prophecies Isa 9:6-7

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

The sureness of God’s covenant with David is that God himself will make it happen. He will come down and be the King forever – David will die, Solomon will die, the next kings will be a mixed bag of good, bad and the indifferent. So Jesus will come to make sure there’s an everlating wonderful kingdom. He is the only one who is good and He died for us and rose again to bring in the Kingdom.

We know that Jesus is the fulfilment of the throne forever. Luke 1:31-33 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Other Scriptures point out that Jesus is the son of David too Romans 1:3; Matt 22:45 (cf Psalm 110:1) and 1 Cor 15:25. Jesus will come to die and rise again and be seated on the throne of an amazing benevolent kingdom for ever! God is all-wise, all-powerful and all for you!

The covenant with David is not just for the nation of Israel. The Jerusalem council of Acts 15 killed off Jewish exclusivism. Peter was reporting back what the Holy Spirit was doing among the Gentiles putting their faith in Jesus. The question was debated as to whether Gentile believers needed to be circumcised? NO! The council relate what is going on to Amos’ prophecy “and the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord and all the Gentiles who are called by my name…” People from all nations get to be part of God’s kingdom if they follow Christ.

700 years before Isaiah  had prophecied around this Davidic covenant – “of the increase of his government  and of peace there will be no end.” It will be worldwide. And the angel says in Revelation 11:15, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever.” When God has completed all the responsibilities in his job description, the house of David will be planet earth. And the subjects of the king will not just be Jews but people from every tongue and tribe and nation Revelation 7:9. (quoted from John Piper)

There’s an amazing opportunity right now as the world begins to panic about the curent Covid-19 epidemic. In the 3rd century there was a pandemic that swept across Italy, Africa and the Western Empire, killing at its height 5,000 people a day in Rome. People panicked and abandoned the sick and left the dead unburied. But there was one class of people who refused to panic. Roman Emperor Julian wrote “That the recent Christian growth was caused by their moral character even if pretended and by their benevloence towards stranders and care for the graves of the dead.”

Instead of leaving the cities they stayed at great risk to themselves to care for the poor, the sick and the elderly. Historian Rodney Stark said that you can trace the rise of Christianity to the three major plagues of the 2nd, 3rd and 6th centuries. He said that Christianity grew because people looked at the incredible witness of Christians during times of crisis. Instead of panicking they demonstrated tremendous faith and compassion.

So here’s some things we can do in the light of this…

• If you are not self-isolating, why not print out the “I can help” cards and deliver them to your neighbours.
• Share the reason for the hope that we have – remember the three circles training many of us did?
• Be helpful
• Pray for the sick, key workers keepingthe country healthy and fed.

Andy Moyle