the target of time and space and scripture

The Word for today:
1 Chronicles 17

As we read in 2 Samuel 7--and again today in 1 Chronicles 17--God promises that one of David's descendants will reign forever:
I declare to you that the LORD will build a house for you: When your days are over and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. (1 Chronicles 17:10-12)

Bible scholars call this promise the Davidic Covenant. The rest of the Bible now becomes the record of the fulfillment of this promise.

But that's not all. Not only the rest of scripture, but the rest of history will align in fulfillment of this promise.

Recall, from Genesis 1, how the physical earth was formless and void. Then God decreed its features--its lands and waters and and meadows and valleys and mountains.

In the same way, God decrees the shape of history when he pronounces the covenant with David. Time will--it must--from that day forth bend itself to conform to this decree.

The Davidic Covenant is a remarkable statement. It stands in the long line of concentric promises which serve to place the bull's eye of scripture and history upon one Jesus of Nazareth.

They were looking, longing for this targeted one. He was to be of the seed of the woman (1). He was to be from Abraham (2). He was to come from the tribe of Judah (3). Now we are told that He will be in the family of David. David is overwhelmed by the fact that the Messiah will be in his line.

At the utterance of this decree, time and space and scripture turn home, towards their fulfillment in the house of the LORD.

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(1) Genesis 3:15; (2) Genesis 12:3; (3) Genesis 49:10