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Psalm 132:11&12 A sure oath - Day 309

Good morning friends,

Reading "The Rare Jewel of Contentment" this morning.  Burroughs makes the point that the covenant God makes with his people through Christ should be the source of our contentment.  But as I thought about this, it seems that we don't remember that covenants are one of the ways God makes himself known.  So I hope these observations help you to think more about covenants.

Blessings,

Jeff

Observations:

The Lord swore to David a sure oath.

What other type of oath would God use?  The character of the person taking an oath is key.  The word of an untrustworthy person is not worth much.  Because man is fallen, even the most trustworthy person may have ulterior motives.  But God is unchangeable.  There is no variation or shadow due to change.

The Lord is the initiator.  Remember that when David wanted to build a house for the Lord, God prohibited him from doing this but made this oath to David.  David did not request the promise or propose terms.  His desire to build was not an attempt to win God's favor.

Jesus forbids taking oaths in Sermon on the Mount and James does the same.  Let your "Yes" be yes and your "No" be no.  All our speech is to be truthful, not just when we take an oath to "tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth".

One of your sons I will sit on your throne

God made this promise before Solomon was born.  David already had sons by other wives.  The successor was not up to David or the rule of firstborn.  Similar to Isaac and Esau, Ephraim and Manasseh.  Birth order doesn't matter to God.

If your sons keep my covenant

Every covenant has conditions that the subordinate is made subject to.  Blessing or curse depends on obedience.  While David's physical sons eventually break the covenant and the kingdom is dissolved, the promise of a Son who would sit on the throne in the future is still true and fulfilled in Jesus.

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