WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday March 2, 2014
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AN ETERNAL KINGDOM
(GOD blesses those who serve HIM)
(2 Samuel 7)
In the Greek there are two
words that are used for “covenant”. One of those words is “suntheke”
(soon-tha-kay), and it is used only in the secular Greek. It is defined as “an
agreement between two or more equal parties or entities, on equal terms” (e.g.
marriage, bond, business agreement etc.).
However, in
the New Testament Greek, the word that is always used for “covenant” is
“diatheke” (dee-ath-ay-kay), and it is an agreement that is actually along the
lines of a “devised will”. In other words, only one party can draw up the
terms, and the other party can either accept or reject those terms, or “inheritance”
that is offered. The other party cannot change any of the terms in that
covenant, he or she only has the right or option to walk away if they do not
agree. In fact, that is the way it is with the Holy Bible, GOD’s Will, or
covenant with us, we can either accept it totally, or reject it totally, but we
can’t change any of the terms within it to suit our own purposes.
The choice of
this word by the authors of GOD is understandable, because we as human beings,
cannot enter into an equal partnership, or be on equal terms with GOD. We are
only able to make a voluntary decision to accept, or reject HIS offer, and
cannot alter, or change HIS terms in any way. In the biblical application, the
word “covenant” is always used in this sense, the spirit of “diatheke”, even in
the Old Testament.
In 2 Samuel,
chapter 7, verses 8-16, we see just such a covenant being offered by GOD, to
David, through the prophet Nathan, as a bond between himself and GOD. With the
exception of the covenant ushered in by CHRIST, that saved all mankind, through
HIS vicarious sacrifice, this is undoubtedly the greatest covenant GOD ever
made with a man. It is important however, to note that the Abrahamic Covenant,
Davidic Covenant, and the Covenant ushered in by our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS
CHRIST, are all spiritually connected, as they each, ultimately, manifest the
“Prevailing Will of GOD” upon man’s destiny, step by step.
In 2 Samuel
7:1-2, after David had settled comfortably in his “palace of cedar” in
Jerusalem, and there was peace throughout the land of Israel, his thoughts
turned to the notion of building a permanent home for the “Ark of the Covenant
of the LORD”. He was no doubt feeling very beholding to GOD for all the
blessings HE had showered upon him for so many years. He desired to use those
blessings to serve GOD in return for HIS divine goodness.
Here David
summons the Prophet Nathan to consult with him on the matter and Nathan tells
him that, “since the LORD is with you, go ahead and do what you have in mind”.
However, that same night, the LORD spoke to Nathan, probably in a dream, and
told him, in effect, that David was not to build HIM a house. Instead, GOD
would build a house for David. It was to be a house that would be a royal
house, one that consisted of a dynasty of kings that would culminate in the
birth, and life on earth, of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, the ULTIMATE MESSENGER,
ULTIMATE PRIEST, and ULTIMATE KING.
The LORD also
promised that this dynasty would originate with David and would never end. This
Kingdom, and its Throne, would be permanent, and the son of David, HIS SON,
would reign forever upon it. Actually, this great promise had already been
echoed by the ancient prophets over the years, and is actually fulfilled in
JESUS CHRIST, and is only a prelude to the “Eternal Kingdom” yet to come.
In response
to this unprecedented offer from GOD, all David could do is fall down to his
knees and praise the ALMIGHTY GOD of creation. This story serves to show us
that, the GOD WHO has been faithful in our yesterdays is, also, the same GOD
WHO will be with us in our tomorrows.
The phrase
“SOVEREIGN LORD” is used no less than 7 times in David’s “prayer of praise” (2
Samuel 7:18-29), and it means, quite literally, “YAHWEH ELOHIM”, or “YAHWEH
GOD. Seven is GOD’s perfect number, and it represents “completeness”, or
“perfection” in the Biblical sense. This prayer mirrors David’s “complete and
perfect” reverence for GOD, which he had stored in his heart, from the time he
was a child working in the field, as a shepherd to his father’s sheep. He had a
long history of service to GOD, and GOD always remembers those who serve HIM long,
and serve HIM well.
There is one
other thing about this passage that I think is worth noting, because it seems
to occur so frequently, throughout David’s life, and, once again it occurs here
(2 Samuel 7:25-29). David seems to always ask for what he already knew GOD
wanted to give him, and some might view this as an act of unbelief, or lack of
faith in GOD’s promises, however, that is not so.
Remember,
asking for what we know GOD already wants to give us cannot always be looked
upon as an “act of unbelief”. It has to also be viewed as an “expression of
dependence on GOD” and “confidence in GOD” to deliver our needs in all
situations, and I promise you, GOD, WHO is kardiognostes (kar-di-o-nos-tace), “a
heart knower”, really does know the difference.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
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