LEARNING DAILY

 

2 Samuel 23:2-4, “The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me; ‘He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.’ And He shall be like the light of the when the sun rises. A morning without clouds, like the tender grass springing up from the earth, by clear shining after rain.”

 

David’s words that a ruler over men should be just and rule in the fear of God were followed by only a few leaders in biblical days. Perhaps who ruled this way in history can be debated by historians; there might not be much agreement. The “just ruler or leader brings health and life” (DJSB). It would be good to remember this as we evaluate our leaders and decide who to vote for in the coming elections. David’s words would ultimately be fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Verse 4).

 

David’s words are prophetic in that they point to not just a ruler of nations but the Ruler of men. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only One who can rule justly over men. I believe another word to describe His rule is righteousness. Jesus said in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” That seems to me to be a really strong statement about the righteousness of His work and His desire to do all “in the fear of God”.

 

Verse 4 gives the reader a description of what the Rule of Jesus will be like; it is an ideal government that so many have tried to establish in years past. Attempts have been made to establish a perfect government, a utopia based on the “goodness” of man and the desire to hold all things in common. All have failed because of the sinfulness that lives within each person. David’s words are prophetic to a time when One will rule over men with righteousness and a tenderness that only the Lord Jesus Christ has. David refers to this when referring to a “morning without clouds” meaning rising to a day without trouble and disorder and all the difficulties presented in the current time. I wonder if David is referring to a time of rising in the morning to a joyful and fruitful life brought by One who enjoys bringing it to His people (from Gill’s Expository of the Entire Bible). That can only be brought by the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

The Lord’s people can wake up to living in the peace, joy, and love He brings to us because we are His. There are troubles, trials and tribulations in this world run by unrighteous, ungodly leaders. But judgment is coming! God’s people can rise each morning knowing that His presence and His provision is ours. The promises of eternity in His kingdom are very real and should help of live the life He desires as we walk in this world. Diligently seek Him and rest in the promises he gives through His Word.

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.  I have added Jimmy Swaggart’s Expositor’s Study Bible to be referred to from now on as JSESB.