Advent, Day 7
THE LIGHT COMES THROUGH DAVID
Generation gave way to generation, and still, no human had risen to crush the head of evil. War, death, famine, and plague became daily challenges, the backdrop of life. But God was still at work, and the weary longing of his people was not in vain.
In a rush of impatience and jealousy, God’s people demanded a king like the other nations. In those days, most nations chose kings who were the strongest, tallest, and most handsome they could find, so God gave Israel a king like that, but it did not work out very well. The Israelites hardly seemed to notice that King Saul was from the wrong tribe—not from Judah. It was as if Israel was hardly paying attention to God’s past promises. They must not have realized what kind of God He was—that his promises always come true. God watched patiently as King Saul went from bad to worse, and then God finally stepped in and switched the throne over to young David, from the tribe of Judah.
David wasn’t the strongest, tallest, or most handsome. He was overlooked by his own family, the youngest brother (once again), and maybe even a half-brother. David couldn’t even wear a man’s armor, yet God saw that David’s heart was soft (most of the time) and that was all the opening God needed.
God installed David as king and made him some great promises. That whole generation was brightened by renewed hope as God’s promises reminded them that darkness would not win forever. God spoke to David, “I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son.” (2 Samuel 7:12-13)
God’s promise was probably a little confusing at the time, because some parts—like the one quoted here—spoke of an eternal kingdom. David’s offspring would rule forever! But other parts of the same promise—like the lines that followed—talked about David’s son Solomon. Was Solomon supposed to be the evil crusher? Would he be the one to rule forever? Some people probably hoped so, but Solomon’s life quickly became a train wreck (or an arch collapse, or whatever metaphor Israelites might have used for something that looks good until it suddenly falls apart).
Solomon died and left the throne to his son, Rehoboam, who shattered the kingdom into pieces. So… what happened? Who was the promised offspring with the eternal throne? Did David hear God’s promise incorrectly? It was like a riddle. Generation after generation went on searching for the answer.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
After [David] was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”
Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.” But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:
“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? … The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you. When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’”
– 2 Samuel 7:1-5,12-16
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
– Which lines do you think spoke of David’s son Solomon? Which lines spoke of the future crusher of evil? Do you think some lines referred to both at once?
– Why do you think Israel wanted a king “like the other nations”?
– Are you sometimes tempted to want what other people have, rather than what God wants for you?
– In what ways are you tempted to envy what other people have?
– What have your past experiences taught you about choosing between God’s way of living and the world’s way of living? Which do you believe leads to life?
DAILY PRAYER
Father, help us to trust in your provision and not blaze our own trail. Forgive us for relying on ourselves. Forgive us for following people based on their beauty and stature rather than their heart. Help us rely on you. Give us soft hearts and help us anchor our hope in your promises. Please work in our hearts so that we do not become like those Israelites who paid little attention to the great promises you had made.