December 10, 2006 | Author: Pat Bell  

Believe in the Messiah

Promised Through David

“You said, ‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’ “ 
Psalm 89:3-4

“I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one.  I will clothe his enemies with shame, but the crown on his head will be resplendent.”
Psalm 132:17-18

Study Overview

The next three lessons on Believe in the Messiah will use select passages in psalms which point to Christ.  Ps. 89 and 132 are the basis for Promised Through David.  Ps. 132 was likely written after the exile and looks back to King David’s dedication shown in the oath he made to the Lord.  The writer recounts David’s vow to God that he would return the ark of the covenant (God’s presence among the people) to Jerusalem and provide a suitable place for it.  Then God vows to David regarding the future of his kingship (earthly) and royal line (looking forward to Jesus Christ, the Messiah).

Background

God wants to be in the presence of his people, as demonstrated by His plan for the pillars of fire, tabernacle, ark of the covenant, and other physical items which served as constant reminders that He dwelt among the chosen ones.  Today, God’s presence is all around us; we feel His presence when we pray, when we worship; we see His son in the love Christians have for one another; we are aided by the gift of the Holy Spirit in our daily walk—all made possible because of his son, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, promised in the Psalms and other Old Testament writings.  

After King David had completed a beautiful palace for himself, he had serious concerns because the ark of the covenant was still housed in a tent.  David wanted to build a temple in Jerusalem in which to house the ark and bring God nearer; however, God did not allow him to be the temple builder.  Instead, God make a two-part promise to David: (1) that his house (dynasty) would continue as long as David’s descendants obeyed God and followed after Him, and (2) that David’s royal line would be everlasting through Jesus Christ, the Messiah, a direct descendant of David (Acts 2:22-36).  For additional background, see
II Samuel 7.

Read Psalm 132

Someone should read Ps. 132 aloud. As it is read, listen as one who might have just returned to Jerusalem from exile, facing uncertainty, remembering the glorious days of the reigns of Kings David and Solomon, and wondering what had happened to the covenant God made with David.  The psalm is saying, in essence:  O Lord, David endured hardship for you; he vowed to you and you to him; you even chose Zion (Jerusalem) as your dwelling place and we are looking to that vow you made that David’s reign would never end.  A logical question might be, “Where are you, God?” 

While the reference to the Messiah in the psalm is faint, amid the other issues addressed, it points to something which would have far greater impact and would be much more grand and glorious than the reigns of David and Solomon could ever have been.  Today, we share in that divine kingdom which was only referenced in the psalm of long ago.

Discussion

1.  What are some of the difficulties in reconciling the vow made by God to David regarding an eternal kingship/throne, and the reality of post-exile Jerusalem, which was in ruin with her former glory only a memory? 

2.  Grasping the meaning of “eternal kingship” under the circumstances following the exile called for strong faith in God’s promises.  Are you challenged to keep faith in God’s promises when the circumstances are not positive?  When is your faith strongest?  Does hardship increase your faith?

3.  What helps you maintain your faith in God’s promises? 

4.  With the coming of the Messiah, why are the temple, ark and other physical reminders of God’s presence no longer necessary?  What things serve as reminders to us of God’s presence?  How do they remind us?

5.  Jesus is referred to as “Son of David” in Matthew 9:27 and 20:30.  What is the basis for this?  How does this fit with the vow God made to David?

6.  Do you think it is easier for a person to believe in the Messiah today as opposed those of long ago who believed in the prophecy regarding his future coming?  Why or why not?    

Class Wrap-Up

Affirm your belief in the Messiah, as promised through David, to the person sitting next to you by saying:

              “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and that he is the

              fulfillment of the promise made by God to King David”

Assignment

Each day this week in your personal or family devotional time, list one reason why you believe in Jesus Christ as the Messiah.  Write it down to make it more meaningful.