The Coming Messiah Part Seven: Promises

 Luke 1:30-33


30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”



For years I read the Christmas story in the Gospels skimming over references to the covenants, not having a clue as to what they were or why they were even included. With an understanding of the covenants and their relationship to the birth of Jesus, the Nativity story explodes with the larger purposes of God and becomes immeasurably enriched.  Knowing God’s covenants and understanding His promises increases our faith so much and gives us the hope that we can look forward to the keeping of his future promises.  As a wise friend used to say, “In God’s economy, there’s always more going on than meets the eye.” This is certainly the case in the Nativity story! Of the four unconditional covenants, Luke refers specifically to the Davidic Covenant in Luke 1:30–33. We find the Davidic Covenant first given in 2 Samuel 7:12–16.


2 Samuel 7:12-16


12 “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. 15 But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”


 It is here God makes certain promises to David regarding his house, his kingdom, and his throne—each of which will be established forever. The word house has to do with David’s lineage or dynasty, culminating in the birth of the Messiah! The word kingdom refers to Israel’s earthly kingdom, and the word throne indicates His authority or right to rule. Jesus the Messiah, David’s descendant, is the ultimate fulfillment of this magnificent promise! When Jesus returns a second time, He will sit on David’s throne and rule over His kingdom forever. Let your eyes scroll to the top of this page and reread the angel’s message as he delivers it to Mary. There’s no mistaking the fact that Mary’s Son would fulfill the covenant that God made with David. This Davidic Covenant has not yet been fulfilled in its fullness. The tiny babe in the manger, the Second Person of the Trinity, clothed in human flesh, fulfilled prophecies regarding the suffering servant. He grew up, died for our sins, was resurrected, and ascended into heaven. At the Second Advent, the Davidic Covenant will be completely fulfilled as the Son of David, born in a manger, rules forever from David’s throne!  No more corruption, no more bickering among world leaders, no more war, and no more pain.  Our God will rule with all majesty and fairness.  The Lord Jesus will sit upon His throne and we can rejoice in the fulfillment of His promise!

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