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For the past couple of weeks, we have endeavored to explore all the background information that played a role in setting the stage for the establishment of the Davidic Covenant. To summarize, we noted how the establishment of an earthly throne was the result of God’s eternal plan carried out through (and in spite of) the sinful intentions of men. Whereas the people of Israel failed in their choice of a wicked king named Saul, God succeeded by choosing for Himself a king, a Bethlehemite named David, whose life was characterized by faith and obedience. We ended last week’s blog with the account of David’s desire to build a house for the Lord, and how God subsequently responded to that desire when He spoke to the prophet Nathan.
Keep Reading When you think of King David, what comes to mind? Perhaps you’re reminded of the frequently quoted verse that describes David as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), or his humble origin in a little town called Bethlehem. Maybe you right away jump to the famous account of David slaying Goliath, or David’s experiences when he was on the run from King Saul. If you’re one who is musically inclined, you might be especially appreciative of the many psalms that David wrote.
Keep ReadingWhat is a Christian? With this question, J.I. Packer opened his chapter on adoption in his masterpiece, Knowing God. In answer to that, he says, “The richest answer I know is that a Christian is one who has God as Father” (J.I. Packer, Knowing God; IVP 1993, 200).
Keep Reading From the earliest days in Israel’s history, there was a promise of a coming king who would rule over the people of Israel. When God spoke to Abraham in Genesis 17:6, He promised that “kings will come forth from you.” Later in Genesis 49, when Jacob prophesied concerning his sons, he said, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” (v. 10). Long before the days of King Saul, long before the time of the judges, and even before Moses was born, God not only promised a future king for Israel, but even specified the tribe out of whom the king would come!
Keep Reading When you hear the term “Mosaic Covenant”, what comes to mind? Perhaps you think of the Levitical priesthood, or the Law…and you would be right. Those are most certainly major themes of the Mosaic Covenant. But what if I told you that another theme of this covenant is the relationship between God and His people? In fact, the Bible makes a very clear connection between this covenant and the Abrahamic Covenant, where God chose Abraham to be the one through whom the whole world would be blessed.
Keep ReadingJun 24
2025
In the last two posts, we have considered the meaning of dependence as creatures and as sinners. Those pertained to our condition pre-fall and pre-grace. In the next two weeks, we will explore a third and a fourth dimension of our dependence toward God: as saints and sons. These are relations of dependence that pertain us to Christians in the state of grace.
Jun 17
2025
We are all “creatures of our God and King,” as the hymn by Francis of Assisi reminds us. However, since the Fall in Genesis 3, we are not just creatures who live in a state of perfection and innocence, but sinners who live in a state of misery and perdition. As such, the relationship that we have with God as Creator is not just one of dependance as creatures, but one of dependance as rebels. There are several ways in which we, as sinners, are dependent on God.
Jun 10
2025
We are all dependent. Every day is an exercise of our dependance on external factors for survival and well-being. We are dependant on our heart to beat an average of 72 times a minute. As we get up in the morning, we are dependent on the coffee machine to brew us some fresh and awakening black drink (or perhaps that is a teapot if you are British). We are dependant on our cars to drive us and our kids to the places we need to go. We are dependent on our computers and smartphones for connecting with other people and receiving information. We are dependent on rivers and wells for water sources. We are dependent on things for our sustenance. If that is true with inanimate things, it is even more so with people. We are dependant on one another for the proper functioning of life and society. We are dependant on grocery stores for the provision of our food. In turn, they are dependant on farmers and butchers for the provision of essential products, and they are dependant on drivers and transportation for the delivery of food to the stores. Every one of us is dependent on others for his survival and well-being.
Jun 3
2025
On Sunday, we celebrated the majesty and supremacy of God in salvation. As I mentioned, from the prophets, to the Psalmists, to Paul, the Scriptures have a unified voice: salvation belongs to the Lord (Ps. 3:8; Jonah 2:9; Isa. 43:11; Eph. 2:8-9). One of the most common reactions to this doctrine among soteriologically reformed Christians is to accept this doctrine, but not rejoice in it. In whatever the Scriptures teaches, we should find our joy and delight (Ps. 19:10-11; 119:113-120). One of the most beautiful expressions of delight in the sovereignty of God that I have encountered is from Jonathan Edwards. He writes:
