WEEKLY
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An
international Sunday school lesson commentary
For
Sunday October 22, 2017
Over
141,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com
GOD’S
COVENANT WITH DAVID
(Submitting
our plans to GOD’s plans)
(2
Samuel 7:1-17)
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 more along the lines
of a “devised will”. In other words, only one party, “the devisor”, draws up
the terms, and the other party, “the devisee”, can either accept or reject
those terms, or “inheritance” that is offered. The devisee cannot change any of
the terms in that covenant, he or she only has the right, or option, to walk
away and leave it if they do not agree.
That is the way
it is with the Holy Bible, which is “GOD’s Will” for each of us. It is HIS
covenant with us (mankind), as HIS greatest creation. 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. We cannot add to it, and nor can we take away from
it. That is how we know that “all man-made denominations” are ungodly, and that,
in truth, they are “out of the will of GOD”. In fact, they can’t even come into
existence unless, the people involved do not totally agree with GOD.
And so, the
choice of this word, “diatheke”, 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 sense.
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, and 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 royal house”, one that consisted
of a dynasty of kings (Davidic 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 ultimately reign forever upon it.
Actually, this
great promise had already been foretold and echoed by the ancient prophets over
the years, and would actually begin to be fulfilled with the first advent of
JESUS CHRIST. However, the birth of JESUS into humanity was only a prelude to
the eventual, “Eternal Kingdom”, that is still yet to come.
In response to
this unprecedented offer from GOD, all David could do, was to fall down to his
knees and praise the ALMIGHTY GOD of creation. This Old Testament account of
the Davidic Covenant 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.
In verses 18-29,
the phrase “SOVEREIGN LORD” is used no less than 7 times in David’s “prayer of
praise”, 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
in verses 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 in this case.
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 (things that
are within HIS Will) in all situations. And I promise you, it’s always OK to
ask for things that you know are promised to you by GOD, because GOD, WHO is
kardiognostes (kar-di-o-nos-tace), “a heart knower”, really does know the
difference between “unbelief”, and “confidence” in HIS promises.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
No comments:
Post a Comment