The Coming King
Notes
Transcript
Once and Future King
Once and Future King
Arthur and the knights of the round table
here was a prophecy given about the future King Arthur calling him the once and future king.
former King in England
the same is future king
Seems to be a desire for the peace, prosperity, and “good ‘ole days” - and yet there is a timelessness
many stories have a similar refrain
JRR Tolkien - in his Lord of the Rings - trilogy - discusses the return of a righteous king - a descendent of one of the great kings of old. Not the old king returned, but a new king with an old bloodline.
Even today - our political parties want a return
Republicans look back to Reagan or Lincoln
Democrats look back to Kennedy or FDR
all of this desire for the greatness of the past to be expected in the future finds its root in scripture.
From creation’s point of view
Paradise - God created things one one
Paradise lost - humanity messed it up with sin
Paradise regained
We could also say, creation, fall, redemption consummation.
there is something in us that knows that things aren’t the way they are supposed to be. We long for a return to the world God intended.
just as we experience that now, so too did the people of Israel and Judah.
Review of Micah
Review of Micah
Called out against injustice and idolatry
Promised exile - this would come about 150 years after Micah preached
Promised restoration and rescue, even in the face of a great deal of suffering.
Here in chapter 5, God through Micah is promising a king, a restorer, someone who would restore God’s glory and ways here on earth.
He is…
The Ancient King (2)
The Ancient King (2)
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
Up to this point, so much of the prophecy and preaching has been aimed at Jerusalem. This had become the seat of political and military power. It was the seat of religious power. It was also the seat of corruption.
So Micah makes a shift, stating that the king will be ancient because he will come...
from Bethlehem -
The birthplace of from David
This is also an implication that the king is from a town of weakness.
Bethlehem was so insignificant that when Joshua was naming and noting all of the cities in the conquest - Bethlehem didn’t make the list (Joshua 15:33-60).
David was one if Israel’s greatest kings. So his roots would be there - just as a some here in American might look back to Reagan or Roosevelt or Lincoln or Washington - a return to a King like David would a glorious and prosperous thing.
In addition to that, this king would be...
from of old - eternity past
Micah uses as interesting phrase - that he is “from of old, from ancient days” that word “old” implies an ancient foundation, from times past. But there is also an eternal element. That Hebrew word is used twice to specifically reference God.
Habakkuk 1:12 (ESV)
Are you not from everlasting,
O Lord my God, my Holy One?
Deuteronomy 33:27 (ESV)
The eternal God is your dwelling place,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.
The implication here is that this Ancient King will not only have his roots in David, but more importantly in Divinity - in Eternity.
This King will be Ancient, but Micah also prophesies that this king will be...
The Future King (3-4)
The Future King (3-4)
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth.
He’s coming in the future
He will allow God’s punishment to complete (3)
Israel and Judah would have to endure the wrath of God
Jesus came the first time in the future to them, in the past for us. We have to recognize that he will come again.
His first coming inaugurated a Kingdom that would permeate all of the world so that when he comes again His reign will be instituted fully, globally.
In addition to coming in the future...
He’s coming at the right time (Gal. 4:4, Eph. 1:10).
Micah alluded to the timing of his coming like that of a woman in labor - the birth pangs are strong and the exact date is uncertain, but the coming is sure.
Paul used similar language to help us realize that Jesus is that future King
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
When time was pregnant, Jesus was born.
Just as he came at the right time in Israel’s future and in our past, Paul says that there is yet a future coming when the mystery of Christ will be revealed...
as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
There is potentially a personal implication of this. When the king acts, when he steps into a situation, he does So at the right time. Not too early, not too late. What may feel like birth pangs for us may be premature.
This king will come at the right time in the future. but also...
He’s coming in strength
Just as as shepherd must stand as the protector of his flock, so too this coming king will come in strength - but not just in any strength, in the strength of Yahweh - of the LORD.
He’s coming in the name of God
We discussed recently that when someone comes in the name of someone else, they come in their authority.
This coming king is then coming with the authority and even the blessing of God. He is a representative or agent or ambassador.
There is no higher authority
He’s coming in security
He will bring security to His people
Eternal security - which results in peace (v. 5a)
The freedom of self forgetfulness - Keller - we often look to have our identity and self esteem wrapped up in what other people think or in what we think of ourselves. Our performance determines a verdict. Keller suggests that in scripture, we should only be concerned about God’s thoughts toward us. Since Jesus came and died in the cross for us, he took the punishment of our performance and declared us righteous. Now we get to live in light of the fact that the verdict determines our performance. Now that is security, living lives of gratitude knowing that Jesus, the future King has secured our place with him.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Paul continues later in that chapter
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”*) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,* neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Now that is coming in security. The future king secures a place in His Kingdom for us forever. But not just us. As we saw last week…
He’s coming to reign globally (ends of the earth)
Tim Keller suggests that this will be a multi-ethnic reign - as we discussed last week.
He will reign to the ends of the earth - not limited geographically.
Thirdly, this ancient and future king is…
The Present King (4)
The Present King (4)
He’s not just a king from the past and an expected King in the future, Jesus is King now - of a different kind of kingdom. A kingdom marked by love and sacrifice
He’s not returning great political and military strength to Israel/Judah - but he’s securing a Kingdom in the strength and majesty of God/Yahweh.
Micah 5:7 - as we’ll see next week - there is a sense in which the Kingdom of Jesus permeates so many things to bring refreshment, life, hope to the nations.
So this ancient king is the future and present king, but…
Is He Your King?
Is He Your King?
In a physical, geopolitical Kingdom there is no choice. (England and the coronation of king Charles) It’s not like a democracy where we get a say in who leads our nation.
In surrendering to Jesus as your king, you acknowledge His rule and reign, you willingly follow his commands and plunge deep into following his lead.
Is Jesus your King? Can you be identified as one of His people?
Keller suggests that in order for him to be your king, you must
Believe in his death - in this you acknowledge your sin problem, and realize that he paid for/covered your sin - you get “plunged” into his life, death and resurrection - Romans. 6:4-8 “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.”
Obey His Word - We don’t always need to understand it, sometimes we may not be ready for all the facts, but we should obey it - let what’s on the pages of scripture inform your way of life. Let it guide your decisions and thought processes.
Stop worrying - when we worry - we put ourselves on the throne - we become King practically speaking
Start Expecting - start expecting that Jesus’ reign in our lives will bring about the peace that he promised (v. 5a).
Hollywood, literature, folklore, and even politics long for the good old days. They long for the greatness of the past to be lived out in the future. Ultimately they, and we, are longing for what can only be found in King Jesus.
Let’s pray.
Benediction:
Benediction:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Moment of Reflection:
Moment of Reflection:
What part of your life do you need to surrender to Kingship of Jesus in your life?
References:
Calvin, John, and John Owen. Commentaries on the Twelve Minor Prophets. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010.
Dever, Mark, The Message of the Old Testament: Promises Made, (Crossway, Wheaton, 2006)
Keller, Timothy The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness.
Martin, John A. “Micah.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
Prior, David. The Bible Speaks Today: The Message of Joel, Micah & Habakkuk. Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1998.
Sandy, D. Brent. Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic. InterVarsity Press Academic, 2002.
Simeon, Charles. Horae Homileticae: Hosea to Malachi. Vol. 10. London: Holdsworth and Ball, 1832.
Um, Stephen. Micah for You. The Good Book Company, 2018.
Waltke, Bruce K. “Micah.” In New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, edited by D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, and G. J. Wenham, 822–833. 4th ed. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994.
https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/micah/
https://bibleproject.com/explore/category/how-to-read-biblical-poetry/
https://podcast.gospelinlife.com/e/the-once-and-future-king/
ESV Study Bible