Jesus in the Old Testament #33: Jesus' Coronation

Jesus in the Old Testament 033: 

Jesus’ Coronation

Psalm 2

Thesis: This song is an allegory for the mediatorial role of King Jesus between the rebellion of sinful man, here personified as gentile kings, and the righteous and wrathful judgment of Almighty God.  Apart from the sheltering of Christ and the resultant worship of those submitted to Him, destruction is the only outcome for mankind. 

1. Nutshell:

1. Did anybody get wet last night in the rain? Did you have to sleep on the lawn? No? Why not? 

2. What does it mean to have shelter? 

3. Last night, you were sheltered from the rain.  Everything outside got wet.  

4. In the same way, Psalm 2 talks quite a bit about the judgment of God, which will fall on everyone, like rain, unless they are sheltered by Jesus.  

5. Go build a fort in the basement to represent the shelter Jesus provides while I talk to your parents.  We’ll come to see it when we’re done. 

2. Deeper:

1. Background. 

1. Probably at one point unified as one Psalm with Psalm 1.  

1. There is an inclusio of beatitude between Ps 1:1 and Ps 2:12. 

2. There are several words that are repeated between Ps 1 and 2 that are used in contrasting settings, eg “Meditate.” 

3. The Psalter was reorganized after the return from the Babylonian captivity by Ezra the scribe, and it is likely at this time that it was split into two Psalms, dividing the portion that called for our meditation on the word of God (Ps 1) from the portion which calls us to submit to the Lordship of God (Ps 2).  

4. By the time the N.T. was written, it was known as the second psalm (Acts 13:33). 

2. Attested to universally, and in the N.T. as a writing of David (Acts 4:25-26). 

3. Frequently called the Coronation Hymn of the Davidic King, but David is not its subject. 

1. David was Anointed at Hebron, not Zion. 

2. No nation which David ever subdued rebelled in the way described in vs 1-3. 

3. Nations went to war with David, but in an attempt to enslave Israel, not in an attempt to throw off their own slavery. 

4. No Davidic King’s empire ever expands to the uttermost parts of the earth. 

5. To the greater-Davidic Heir, God promises a Father-Son relationship, but David never claims, himself, to be the Son of God. 

6. David, the author, would never have written Vs 11-12 of himself. 

4. The Conclusion, therefore, is that David’s kingship serves as a substrate to a purely prophetic passage about his greater heir, The Messiah. 

2. The voice of sinful mankind (vs 1-3). 

1. The assumed backstory of this psalm is that mankind is aware that they are under the thumb of God.  They are in bondage under God’s judgment. 

2. The kings are not the sources of the rebellion.  They are representatives of “the nations,” all mankind. 

3. Establishment: The kings of the earth “set themselves.”  They are working on establishing their freedom on their own terms.  Human efforts to deal with evading God’s judgment for their sin are always fruitless. 

4. Testimony: The kings of the earth “speak together.”  

1. The phrase here means to quietly mutter to yourself.  

2. Same underlying word as “meditate” in Ps 1:2. 

3. They aren’t openly declaring these plans to God.  They are working out a plan amongst themselves. 

5. Breaking: The kings think that their salvation lies in breaking God’s yoke off of them.  Do away with his judgment by removing him from office or negating his sentence. 

1. Atheism

2. Moral relativism

3. Postmodernism

6. The personified representatives here are Kings and rulers, the same categories of actors who literally conspired together to crucify Jesus. 

1. Kings: Herod & Pilot

2. Rulers: Sanhedrin 

3. Peter interprets it this way as well: Acts 4:23-28

7. Parallel: Luke 19:11-14. 

1. The Davidic King in the psalm is facing a rebellion by subjugated rulers. 

2. The king in Jesus’ parable is facing a rebellion by his future subjects. 

3. In both cases, the King being rejected is Jesus. 

3. The voice of the Father (vs 4-6). 

1. The Father is not concerned in any way.  

1. He does not even “stir himself to action,” as He does in other psalms or prophetic passages.  

2. He is seated in heaven, laughing. 

2. The rebellion of mankind does not alter the plan of God at all.  God has a purpose and a plan (His own glory), and he will carry it out.  He does not negotiate with rebels!

3. Testimony: The nations muttered to each other.  God declares in his wrath and derisive laughter. 

1. God’s words are irrevocable and powerful. 

2. Gen 1:3

3. Ps 33:9

4. Breaking: God’s words have the effect of instilling terror and fear in the kings. 

1. Fear and trembling: stirred up, shaken, broken peace--shalom. 

2. “Panic” used 18 times in the ESV, always points to God weaponizing fear as a judgment against those who have rejected the righteous fear of God. 

3. The same underlying principle is at play here, even though the ESV did not use “panic” in this case. 

5. Establishment: The Lord answers the plan of rebellious kings to establish themselves by restating his plan to establish his Messiah as King forever over all of creation. 

1. 2Sam 7:8-16. 

2. Zech 9:10

3. The establishment of this King is to be centered in “Zion,” originally a Canaanite city conquered by David, then the name for the mountain on which the temple was built, and eventually a figurative name for Jerusalem or even all of Israel. 

4. Zion is used as a metaphor for the church in Heb 12:22-24

6. Parallel: The king receives the kingdom he sought, even over the objection of the delegation who argued against it (Luke 19:15)

4. The Voice of the Son (vs 7-9)

1. Testimony: Jesus receives the Kingdom promised by His Father, clearly referencing the Davidic covenant’s sonship language. 

1. You are My Son: eternal relationship (John 1:1; Matt 3:17; 17:5)

2. Today I have begotten you: recognition of the Son’s coming into His kingdom. 

1. Paul saw this as the moment of his resurrection: Acts 13:32-33

2. So did the author of Hebrews: (Heb 1:3-5; 5:5)

2. Establishment:  The Father has given the Son EVERYTHING! 

1. The nations are his inheritance. Everything initially belongs to the Father, but he has placed all things under the Son’s feet. 

1. Gen 22:18

2. Isa 53:12

3. Col 1:18

4. Eph 1:22

5. 1 Cor 15:27

2. The ends of the earth: Never realized by David or any of his mortal heirs.  Only true of Christ’s future kingdom. 

3. Breaking: A rod of iron, smashed to pieces. 

1. Something thought of us unbreakable vs something easily destroyed and discarded. 

2. Commanded in the law to break earthenware that was unclean (Lev 6:28; 11:33-35; 15:12). 

3. Some historical reference to Pharoah having clay vases in his throne room from every region of his kingdom.  If one rebelled or failed to pay tribute, he would break it to signal his intention to go to war or bring punishment to that region. 

4. This image carried into the eschaton: (Rev 2:27; 12:5; 19:5)

4. Parallel: In the parable of the minas, Those who reject Christ’s rule are killed before him. (Luke 19:27)

5. The voice of the Spirit (vs 10-12)

1. Testimony: The job of the Holy Spirit is to direct people toward Christ (John 15:26).  He does so in this last stanza.  Be wise.  Be warned.  Kiss the Son. 

2. Establishment: The rule of the Son is inevitable.  Serve with fear and rejoice with trembling. 

1. Those who reject the righteous fear of the Lord are given panic as a judgment of God. 

2. Here, the Holy Spirit invites the leaders of mankind to embrace and rejoice in the righteous fear of God--The submission to God’s rule and right to change our lives. 

3. Celebrate the established rule of God’s King, the Messiah. 

3. Kiss the Son.  

1. In Aramaic, which is odd. Aramaic was not the common language or the region at the time of David. 

2. Possibly, using a word that the gentile nations would have known. 

3. Perhaps a later scribal error. 

4. Has led to a diversity of interpretations.  Kiss the feet, etc. 

5. Variety of “kisses” in scripture: 

1. Certainly, not of passionate lovers. 

2. Not the kiss of Judas’ betrayal. 

3. Kiss of reconciliation (Gen 33:4; 45:14-15)

4. Kiss of submission (Ex 18:7; 1Sam 10:1)

5. Kiss of fellowship (2Sam 20:9; Rom 16:16)

4. Breaking: If you don’t submit to the son, you will be destroyed. 

1.  His wrath is quickly kindled. 

2. We don’t often think of the wrath of the Son, but is real and consuming! 

1. Job 4:9

2. 2Thes 2:8

3. Rev 6:16

5. Conclusion: We would expect that the conclusion of this psalm of warning and judgment would be a final statement of wrath and destruction of God’s enemies.  It isn’t! It’s one of hope. 

1. If even the enemies will repent, they will be sheltered by the Son. 

2. Salvation for God’s enemies is part of His nature and the main thrust of the work of the Son in the gospel. 

3. Gal 1:23

4. Rom 5:10

Discussion Questions:

1. Individually, and as a family, are you part of the people represented by rebelling kings or by those found in Jesus’ protection? 

2. On what is your life established? The word of God or what you want? 

3. How do the various voices in this Psalm inform how we are to talk to our unsaved neighbors and friends?

4. What does God need to break in order to draw you closer to himself? 

   
   
   
   

Jesus in the Old Testament #30: The Davidic Covenant

 Jesus in the Old Testament 30:

The Davidic Covenant 

2 Sam 7:1-17

Thesis: David and God both try to establish permanence and security for the other.  God, in overwhelming David’s offer with his own, creates an everlasting covenant, the promises of which survive even His own judgment. 

1. Nutshell w/kids

1. Have you ever been camping in a tent?  What’s different about that compared to living at home? 

2. David saw that he had a house while God was worshipped in a tent (tabernacle).  He wanted to fix that and build God a temple.  Why do you think he wanted to do this? 

3. David ended up not building the temple.  His son did, but God instead promised to give David a permanent kingdom.  

4. God promised David that he would never lack for an heir (a child, grand child, etc), and that his kingdom would last forever. 

5. Is there a king in Israel right now?  What happened to this promise? 

6. Jesus is the son of David who will reign forever and fulfills God’s promise to David. 

2. Deeper w/ Adults 

1. Context

2. 2 Sam 7:1-3

1. It is put upon David’s heart to build a temple for the Lord. 

2. Nathan, speaking just as a man, confirms that the Lord is with David and gives him the green light

3. Vs 4-7

1. Nathan is corrected by God and told to go to David with a different message. 

2. God has never sought a temple from any of the leaders of Israel. 

3. Wordplay between “house” and “tent.” 

1. House: בַּיִת (bayit) can mean several things: 

1. Most commonly, a regular dwelling of a common person. Usually constructed of stone and wood with a flat roof upon which one might walk. 

2. Can be a dwelling for animals, a pen or stable, or even a spider’s web. 

3. Can be a temple for a god, pagan or otherwise. 

4. Used of the abode of God in heaven (Psalm 36:8) and also of the tabernacle (Judg 18:31). 

5. Can also be used of a person’s household members, including immediate and family members, and even servants. 

6. Can be used of a kingly dynasty. 

7. All of these senses (except the animal one) are used here. 

2. Tent: 

1. The normal word for “tent” is  אֹהֶל (ʾōhel).  Used 348x in scripture.   

2. David instead diminishes the significance of the structure by using the word “curtain” as a euphemism for the tabernacle. “God is sheltered under a curtain.” יְרִיעָה yerîʿâ  54x

3. Speaks to insufficiency and inadequacy in comparison to the cedar out of which David’s house is made. 

4. When God self-references his dwelling, he calls it a “tent” in the normal sense, restoring it to its proper understanding. 

4. David wants to give permanence and stability to God’s house, but God does not need a man to grant him this stability.  

4. Vs 8-17 The Covenant: 

1. The conversation continues around the topic of permanence and stability. 

2. God reminds David of what he’s already done to provide stability for David (vs 8-9a)

1. Elevated him from shepherding sheep to shepherding my people Israel as their prince. 

2. The judges were shepherds only (vs 7), but now David is a shepherd-prince. 

3. God has allowed David to defeat his enemies all around him. 

3. God promises to continue to elevate and stabilize David’s kingdom (vs 9b-11a)

1. A great name for David

2. A planted place for the people of Israel

3. Peace on all sides

4. No more violent men

4. God now deals with David’s “house” (11b-17)

1. Up to now, his physical house is stable and strong (made of Cedar), but his dynasty is not a settled question.  

2. There is no precedent yet in Israel that a King’s son inherits the kingdom.  Only one king prior, and his son is not king now. 

3. Prophecy about David’s son finds partial immediate fulfillment in Solomon, but final and perfect fulfillment in Christ. 

4. Vs 12: A son will come after you and will inherit your Kingdom: Solomon

5. Vs 13: He will build a house for my name: 

1. Initially, Solomon, who will build the temple [2Chron 22:6-19]. 

2. However, Christ is engaged in a much grander building of the temple of God in the Church (Eph 2:20-22; Heb 3:6; 1Pet 2:5). 

6. Vs 13: I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 

1. Solomon’s kingdom lasted a long time, 40 years (1Kins 11:42), but not forever. 

2. The forever reign of the Davidic monarchy is only realized in Christ. 

7. Vs 14a: The son of God. 

1. Solomon was certainly intimate with God early in his life, but he lacked the perseverance to continue in the faith and in the fear of God. 

2. This relationship is reserved in its fulfillment for Christ. 

8. Vs 14b-15. The son will sin and be disciplined, but he will not be forsaken; only Solomon.  Christ was sinless. 

9. Vs 16: permanent throne, house, kingdom. 

1. Only in Christ is this realized.  David’s dynasty was eventually interrupted (below).  

2. Only in Christ’s rule as heaven’s king now and as the early millennial potentate is this promise fulfilled. 

3. The culmination of the permanence dialogue. 

5. David’s recap in the Psalms (Psalm 89)

1. Vs 3-4 recap the general thrust of the covenant.  The term “covenant” is not used in 2Sam 7, but it is here. 

2. Vs 25-29 recap the promises of the permanence and preeminence of David’s dynasty in poetic language. 

3. Notice that the offspring, the throne, and the throne are the critical enduring features of the promise in both vs 4, 29, and 36.

6. Did God break his covenant with David when the Davidic line ended with the Babylonian Exile? 

1. Solomon last king of the united kingdom. 

2. 10 tribes left to serve Jereboam.  All wicked all the time. 

3. God warned Judah and the Davidic Kings to stay true to the law both in the context of the covenant (2 Sam 7:14-15 and Psalm 89:30-37) and numerous times through prophetic warnings (Obediah, Joel, Isaiah, Micah, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel)

4. King Jehoram, about half-way through the Davidic dynasty, almost lost it all, but the Lord remembered his promise to David and extended more time to repent (2 Chron 21:7).

5. While the kings of Judah as a whole did better in obeying the Lord than the kings of Israel, ultimately, the curses also included in the law came to fruit in the line of David. 

6. Josiah was the last godly king. 

7. Jeremiah 22: The end of the royal dynasty. 

1. Vs 1-5.  One more appeal to repentance. 

2. Vs 6-9 A prophecy about the future testimony of the destruction of the palace to the sovereignty and judgment of God against idolatry. 

3. Vs 10-12 a prophecy against Shallum the son of Josiah who had ruled wickedly in Jerusalem. 

4. Vs 13-23 a final passing of judgment against the Davidic line in the person of Jehoiakim.  

1. 13-15: David dwelt in a house that God had made secure.  God derides Jehoiakim for trying to make his own house secure apart from a relationship with God. 

2. 15-17: Josiah enjoyed wealth and prosperity as a result of his love for the Lord and righteous life. Jehoiakim is attempting to have the benefits without the relationship. 

3. 18-23:  Judgment is passed.  Jehoiakim will be killed outside the city gates and left to rot.  Nobody will mourn for him (fulfilled in 2 Kings 24). 

5. Vs 24-30. Judgment against Jehoiakim’s posterity. 

1. His son, Coniah, will be led into captivity and live in obscurity.  

2. No child of Jehoiakim will ever sit on Davids Trone.  The end of the dynasty. 

8. Psalm 89 was written in the times after the destruction of the dynasty and echoes the phrases of the covenant back to God, asking the question, “Did you change your mind?”

1. Focus on discipline much magnified vs 2Sam 7

2. Long post-script asking God to remember his faithfulness (vs 39-52)

9. Matthew and Luke’s genealogies help us answer this question. 

1. Matthew records Jesus’ ancestry through Solomon’s line to Joseph.  Kingly line, right to rule but cursed. 

2. Luke records Jesus’ ancestry through Nathan’s line to Mary.  Bloodline, David’s heir, not the throne, but not cursed. 

3. In Jesus, the right to rule was re-united with an uncursed Davidic bloodline.  

10. God promised to preserve forever David’s offspring and his throne.  Even when there was no offspring on the throne, he preserved them separately.  Nathan’s line preserved the offspring (bloodline), and Joseph’s preserved the throne (the cursed right-to-rule). 

7. The Application to us: 

1. God’s promises can always be trusted. Not only his discipline and judgment can force God to abandon his promises. 

2. God provided, 400 years before he needed it, for a way to still bring a Messianic King to David’s throne even after cursing the royal bloodline. 

3. God’s sovereignty and love intersect in ways that overwhelm the attempts of the enemy to thwart the redemptive plans of God. 

Discussion Questions. 

1. David wanted to bless the Lord.  Instead, the Lord blessed David more than he could imagine.  How have you seen this happen in your life? 

2. What does it mean to you that God’s blessing was not unhitched from his discipline? 

3. What does it show you about God that He preserved David’s throne separate from his heir? 

4. How have you seen God keep His promises in surprising ways in your life?