MESSIAH: HEIR TO DAVID’S THRONE

And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

2 Samuel 7:12-13 (God speaking to David)

Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. And He will delight in the fear of the LORD.

Isaiah 11:1-3 (BSB)

Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch . . .

Jeremiah 23:5a (BSB)

Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.

Matthew 1:5-6a (BSB)

The gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, regarding His Son, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh.

Romans 1:2-3 (BSB)

God promised King David that the throne would continue in his family through One who would reign forever. David took Bathsheba to be his wife after he committed adultery with her and orchestrated having her husband, Uriah, put on the front lines to be killed in battle—in essence David had Uriah murdered. Their son, Solomon, built the first temple, but Solomon eventually died. The One whose throne would be established forever would be the Messiah, Jesus, who was a direct descendant of David through both his mother Mary and his earthly father, Joseph. There has not continually been a descendant of David on Israel’s throne throughout earthly history. However, the Messiah’s reign is eternal: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15b).

It is easy to skip over the genealogies in the Bible, but we have learned so much by reading them carefully and even looking up the people listed in cross references. The genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke are not just there to prove He was descended from all these people. There is much to learn from them. Look at the women listed in Matthew’s genealogy. If you have ever felt unworthy to be of use to God, look at Tamar who lured her father-in-law Judah to sleep with her, Rahab who was known as a harlot, Ruth who was from Moab, Bathsheba who was David’s mistress—Jesus’s grandmothers!

Father, we thank You for changing us to make us useful in Your kingdom!

Worship the King of kings by listening to “The Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “Messiah”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jvsK798Lbs