GOD'S DEALING WITH MEN continued

GOD'S COVENANT WITH DAVID continued

2 Sam. 7:16

            In our last post we saw that God covenanted with David to give him and perpetuate for him a dynasty, a throne, and a kingdom.  We also saw God's promise to have David again sit upon his throne and rule over Israel.  In the passage we saw in Ezekiel 37 we saw that prophecy to have David be once again king over Israel.  This writer is aware that most commentators will make David there to be Christ alluding that Christ will rule from David's throne.  There is nothing in that passage, however, to indicate that David is Christ.  It does not say son or seed of David.  It says David shall be king over them.  If you believe Christ will come back again, and if you believe He will raise his people from the dead, you should have no problem believing that God meant exactly what He said that David shall be king over united Israel.  If we say David in Ezekiel 37 is Christ, we throw ourselves open to spiritualize other portions of the Bible.  This writer believes that God said what He meant and meant what He said.  I know it requires the resurrection of David and the regathering of Israel, but I have no problem with that at all.  I believe that is exactly what is predicted and what will come to pass.

            This covenant is for ever.  In 2 Sam. 7:11-16 God says three times that it is for ever.  Someone may say that Israel has been unfaithful, and that she rejected God's Son, so surely she has forfeited this covenant.  That, however, is not the case.  Yes, she has been unfaithful, and yes she did reject God's Son when He came to earth.  Look, however, at verse 14-16.  "I will be his father, and he shall be my son.  If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:  But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it for Saul, whom I put away before thee.  And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee:  thy throne shall be established for ever."  In Psalm 89:3 God says, "I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,"  Again in Psalm 89:34-37 God says, "My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.  Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.  His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.  It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven,. Selah."   This seems very clear to this writer.  Yes, Israel has sinned.  She is at this very moment still in rejection of God's Son.  Nevertheless, God will have mercy upon her and bring her to conversion as we saw in our last post.  God will not break his covenant.  He will fulfill it in the present Israel after her conversion.  Let no one be misguided.  Israel is God's chosen nation, and their conversion is sure because of God's covenant, Rom. 11:27.  "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance," Rom. 11:29  That does not mean that anyone can be saved without repentance; it simply means that God will not change His mind.

            Tell me what you think.