A Conditional Perpetual Promise
God gives some promises that have one fulfillment. Other promises of God can have more than one fulfillment. However, perpetual promises from the Lord are very rare. When He gave the land of Canaan to Israel that was a perpetual promise. Also, He promised David that he would always have a descendant on the throne of Israel. However, this promise was conditioned upon his descendants being faithful to Him with all their heart and all their soul. (I Kings 2:4) I wonder why God made such a promise to David and His family?
God knows human nature. He knows it is easy for us to drift away from Him. This is true for individuals, and it is true for nations of people, like Israel. Therefore, when God made this promise to David, He was thinking both of individuals and of His people, Israel. He wanted David's descendants to rule righteously and with His wisdom. He knew they had to stay very close to Him for this to be true. Also, He knew that the nation of Israel would be tempted to follow the ways of the other nations. Therefore, they needed godly leaders to be an example to them and hold them accountable to the Lord. This promise needed this condition, or all of them would end up failing God. Of course, that is what happened to Israel. This underscores the reason that we need godly leaders for our homes, our churches, and our nation.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Kings 3-5.
God knows human nature. He knows it is easy for us to drift away from Him. This is true for individuals, and it is true for nations of people, like Israel. Therefore, when God made this promise to David, He was thinking both of individuals and of His people, Israel. He wanted David's descendants to rule righteously and with His wisdom. He knew they had to stay very close to Him for this to be true. Also, He knew that the nation of Israel would be tempted to follow the ways of the other nations. Therefore, they needed godly leaders to be an example to them and hold them accountable to the Lord. This promise needed this condition, or all of them would end up failing God. Of course, that is what happened to Israel. This underscores the reason that we need godly leaders for our homes, our churches, and our nation.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Kings 3-5.