This King will be perfectly righteous and able to maintain David’s throne. But this King will also bear God’s punishment for sin, going into exile for sin and returning to God’s blessing of life. And as a consequence of this, those whom He represents are counted as having suffered exile and will return to life as well. 

Have you ever noticed the number of offers for security systems that bombard homeowners? At least in Central Florida, they seem to be everywhere. Ads for home security systems play regularly during commercial breaks on the radio. Over the years, my mailbox has received innumerable fliers selling the installation and activation of home alarm systems. And I could not begin to tell you the number of salesmen who have rung my doorbell in the hopes of convincing me to purchase monitored protection for my home.

Low-tech security solutions exist as well. We lock our doors. We own watchdogs. We put up fences around our yards. Whatever else we may say about such measures, they prove one thing: we want security.

The desire for security was particularly acute in the ancient world—especially in Israel. Living on a piece of land where three continents—Africa, Asia, and Europe—come together, Israel was in constant danger of being conquered by others who valued its strategic geographic position. And for the royal family, security needs reached a whole other level. You had to both guard the nation and protect the kingly dynasty. Somebody always wanted to take the throne from you.

The promise of security takes center stage in God’s establishing the Davidic covenant, which is recorded in 2 Samuel 7:1–17.

Read More