Matthew 1:1 says, “This is the genealogy of Yeshua the Messiah, son of David, son of Avraham:” The Messiah is called the son of David and Avraham (Abraham) so it would be good to learn more about these two figures.
Avraham (Abraham) is considered the father of the Jewish people and he received a special promise from God who said, “’As for me, this is my covenant with you: you will be the father of many nations. Your name will no longer be Avram [exalted father], but your name will be Avraham [father of many], because I have made you the father of many nations. I will cause you to be very fruitful. I will make nations of you, kings will descend from you.’” Genesis 17:4-6. And David was one of those Kings and God had a special promise for him too.
God told David, “When your days come to an end and you sleep with your ancestors, I will establish one of your descendants to succeed you, one of your own flesh and blood; and I will set up his rulership. He will build a house for my name, and I will establish his royal throne forever.” 2 Samuel 7:12-13. Some may have assumed this was referring to King Solomon. Solomon was a son of David and he did build an earthly temple however his position didn’t last forever and either did the temple he built. However, “The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.” Psalm 11:4 so God’s house is still established somewhere, just not where or how we may have expected it to be.
The Jewish prophet Isaiah states “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.” Isaiah 6:1. He goes on to say something amazing. “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6-7
Notice how the child who would reign on the throne of David ensuring an unending kingdom is referred to as “Mighty God” and “Everlasting Father”. This is not an ordinary human being described, and this is not an ordinary promise. We can’t write off the divine terms used for this person as mere figures of speech. The Torah is clear “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” Exodus 20:7 “I am the Lord, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me,” Isaiah 45:5 “I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no savior.” Isaiah 43:11 “Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.” Deuteronomy 8:19
The One who would ensure the throne of David, is not any mere human. The one who would reign of Israel is no less a being than God-as it should be as that was the original plan for mankind. “Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel…But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice. Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, ‘Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.’ But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, ‘Give us a king to judge us.’ So Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” 1 Samuel 8:1-7. When we put our hopes in a mere human to restore us we are rejecting God. The true Messiah restores our relationship with Him.
The reason the Bible says “I, Yeshua, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the Messianic communities. I am the Root and Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.” Revelation 22:16 is because God is both the descendent of David as well as his Creator through the mysterious miracle of God. “Then Isaiah said, ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too small a thing for you to try the patience of men, but will you try the patience of my God as well? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Listen carefully, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will call his name Immanuel (God with us).’” Isaiah 7:14-15
Picture originally found here
