Lesson 248 - Senior
Memory Verse
"Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous thing" (Psalm 72:18).
Cross References
I Everlasting Kingdom
1. The Psalmist desires the righteousness and Judgments of God to be given to the King's Son, [PS:72:1]; [ISA:59:16-17]; [JER:23:5-6].
2. The King shall judge the people with righteousness and equity, [PS:72:2-4]; [ISA:11:2-5]; [ISA:9:7]; [ISA:32:1].
3. This Kingdom shall be everlasting, [PS:72:5-7]; [DAN:2:44]; [LUK:1:32-33]; [MIC:4:7].
4. The King's rule shall be all-inclusive, [PS:72:8-11]; [PS:59:13]; [PS:103:19]; [DAN:7:14]; [REV:21:24-26].
5. The King shall hear and answer the cry of the needy, the poor, and the oppressed, [PS:72:12-14]; [ISA:2:4]; [HOS:2:18]; [MIC:4:3-4]; [ISA:60:1-22].
6. The King shall be exalted and honoured, [PS:72:15-20]; [ISA:2:1-3]; [MIC:4:1-2]; [LUK:1:32-33]; [PHL:2:9], [PHL:2:11]; [REV:19:12], [REV:19:16].
Notes
The King's Son
The prayer of David, which is given to us in the Bible as the seventy-second Psalm, is more than just a prayer. It is a declaration of faith, and a Messianic prophecy in the most positive terms. David had a good conception of God's plan of salvation, and much of David's clear and thorough understanding of God's Kingdom is revealed to us through this prayer.
It is apparent that David's desire that God's judgments and righteousness be given to the King's son was not intended primarily for his own son, Solomon. Solomon enjoyed a reign of prosperity and peace that has never been equalled in Israel's history before or since. Even so, the reign of Solomon was insignificant in comparison with the Kingdom to which the Holy Spirit, through David, was referring. David was not ignorant of his Saviour and coming King, and he was not indifferent to the peace and plenty that would be a part of the Kingdom that would eventually be set up on earth. His prayer was a God-inspired desire to see it established soon.
David was not the only one to whom God revealed a little of the glories of the Kingdom of His Son. Isaiah prophesied of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom: "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" [ISA:9:6]).
Christ has been ordained to rule from the foundation of the world. (See [1PE:1:20].) The Psalmist has said, "Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting" [PS:93:2]).
John the Apostle on the isle of Patmos saw Him who would rule, and heard the declaration of a great multitude: "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever" [REV:5:12-13]).
Righteous Rule
Jesus Christ is the rightful Ruler of this Kingdom, and He will rule with righteousness. We read in many places in the Scriptures of the King's righteousness and of the quality of His judgments. "Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments" [PS:119:137]). "Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness" [PS:119:142]); and "Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne" [PS:97:2]). His commandments, His judgments, His words are righteous. (See [PS:119:172];[PS:19:9];[PS:119:123.) "The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works" [PS:145:17]). We read also, "He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth" [PS:96:13]). These are a few of the passages in the Bible describing the righteousness of the King's rule.
Pleasant Land
The Prophet Isaiah summed up the extent of the Kingdom of God on this earth in a few words, "Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end" [ISA:9:7]). We read from our text: "He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth." Other passages come to mind that parallel our text. "He shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plough-shares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid" [MIC:4:3-4]).
Another beautiful passage of Scripture tells us of the peace of the Kingdom of God on earth: "They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear" [ISA:65:21-24]).
Universal Rule
During the administration of King Solomon the nation of Israel rose to great prominence among the nations. The nations of the world brought their commerce to Israel, and gave presents of great value to King Solomon in tribute and praise of his wisdom. The Queen of Sheba came a great distance to visit Solomon; and she said to him regarding his court, his retinue, and his manner of worship: "Behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard. Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom" [2CH:9:6-7]).
This is but a symbol of the manner in which the kings of the earth will come to worship and pay homage to the King's Son in the time of His reign. From our text we read: "The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him."
Solomon's reign dominated somewhat the nations of his day, but the Kingdom of God upon earth will exercise undisputed rule to the uttermost parts of the earth. Christ shall rule with a rod of iron; the heathen shall be his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth shall be His for a possession. (Read [PS:2:8-9].)
Daniel had a vision of the last days, and recorded: "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed" [DAN:7:13-14]).
Universal Homage
"Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee" [PS:68:29]). Our text says, "To him shall be given of the gold of Sheba" [PS:72:15]). The prophecies of Isaiah state in regard to those who will come to pay their respects to the King: "The Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising." "The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD. All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory" ([ISA:60:3], [ISA:60:6-7]).
Everlasting Name
Nations have gone down into the dust of obscurity, and multitudes of people have vanished into the grave. Countless kings and rulers have gone the way of all flesh to be seen and heard of no more by mortal men. Their names are forgotten, and only a few have even been recorded in books of ancient history.
But the King who shall yet rule all earth has a name that has never been forgotten, and never shall be, through the endless period of eternity. His glorious name shines ever brighter through the passing years. His name has never been tarnished from the beginning, and shall shine undimmed forever. "His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed" [PS:72:17]).
Questions
1. Who is the King's Son?
2. How do we know that David was not praying for Solomon in this Psalm?
3. What are the limitations of this Kingdom?
4. Describe the character of the rule that will prevail during the reign of the King's Son.
5. Why will the King receive homage from all other kings and nations?
6. Why will not this King's name be forgotten?