2 Samuel 7

2 Samuel 7

Utley on tent - The problem has to do with which tent is being referred to here. It seems that the tabernacle of the wilderness, first set up in the Promised Land at Shiloh (cf. Josh. 18:1; 19:51; 1 Sam. 2:22), was later moved to Gibeon, where it stayed during David's life (cf. 1Ch 16:39-40; 2 Chr. 1:2-6) and was not moved to Jerusalem until Solomon's reign (cf. 2 Chr. 1:3-4,13). Nathan the prophet will surface later in the context of David's sin with Bathsheba (2Sa 12:25ff+, Ps 51:1+ in the title) and several times in the life of Solomon. Nathan the Prophet in the OT - 2 Sam. 7:2; 2 Sam. 12:25; 1 Ki. 1:8; 1 Ki. 1:10; 1 Ki. 1:22; 1 Ki. 1:23; 1 Ki. 1:32; 1 Ki. 1:34; 1 Ki. 1:38; 1 Ki. 1:44; 1 Ki. 1:45; 1 Chr. 17:1; 1 Chr. 29:29; 2 Chr. 9:29; 2 Chr. 29:25; Ps. 51:1 2 Samuel 7:3 And Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your mind, for the LORD is with you." do: 2Ki 4:27 all that: 1Sa 16:7 1Ki 8:17,18 1Ch 22:7 28:2 Ps 20:4 37:4 for the: 1Sa 10:7 1Jn 2:27 NATHAN'S NATURAL RESPONSE - "GO" And Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your mind (literally "heart"), for the LORD is with you =- Parallel passage in 1Ch 17:2+ has "Then Nathan said to David, "Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you". Nathan spoke presumptuously from his own opinion without prayer and consultation with Yahweh. 2 Samuel 7:4 But it came about in the same night that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, night: Nu 12:6 1Ch 17:3 Am 3:7 Related Passages: 1 Chronicles 17:3+ It came about the same night that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, Numbers 12:6+ He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, shall make Myself known to him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream. Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing Unless He reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets. GOD'S WORD CORRECTS HIS PROPHET NATHAN But - Term of contrast = introduces a supernatural Word for Nathan in contrast to his natural, reasonable response in v1. it came about in the same night that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying - Hebrew = "the word of the LORD was [i.e., came] to Nathan." Parallel Passage in 1Ch 17:3 is identical. Yahweh speaks to the prophet in the night in a vision (2Sa 7:17). Davis quips "Later that night revelation rejected reason....God’s servants often mean well but lack the wisdom of God. In the present case a human plan (vv. 1–3) must be corrected by a divine revelation (vv. 4–17)." (Ibid). 2 Samuel 7:5 "Go and say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD, "Are you the one who should build Me a house to dwell in? To dwell in: 1Ki 5:3 8:16-19 1Ch 17:4 22:7,8 23:3-32 Related Passages: 1 Chronicles 17:4+ “Go and tell David My servant, ‘Thus says the LORD, “You shall not build a house for Me to dwell in; 1 Chronicles 22:8 “But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars; you shall not build a house to My name, because you have shed so much blood on the earth before Me. 1 Chronicles 28:3 “But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for My name because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’ NATHAN'S QUESTION TO DAVID FROM YAHWEH Go and say to My servant ('ebed; doulos, cf 2Sa 3:18+) David, 'Thus says the LORD, "Are you the one who should build Me a house to dwell in? - Parallel passage 1Ch 17:4 has a declaration rather than a question - "You shall not build a house for Me to dwell in." (cf 1Ch 22:7-12) The implicit answer is "No!" Utley - This was the key question. Should David, a man of war (cf. 1 Chr. 22:8; 28:3), build YHWH's temple/house or should his son, a man of peace? Bergen - The Lord’s words recorded here constitute the longest recorded monologue attributed to him since the days of Moses (197 words). The prodigious size of this divine pronouncement suggests that the writer intended it to be interpreted as centrally important—perhaps on a plane with the Torah itself.....The covenant that the Lord established with the house of David became the nucleus around which messages of hope proclaimed by Hebrew prophets of later generations were built (cf. Isa 9:1–7; 11:1–16; 16:5; 55:3; Jer 23:5–6; 30:8; 33:15–26; Ezek 34:23–24; 37:24–25; Hos 3:5; Amos 9:11; Zech 12:7–8). To a people broken and humbled by invaders sent as agents of divine punishment, the Lord’s promise to David of a kingdom that “will endure forever” (v. 16) was the seed of hope that resurrected a nation. The Lord’s promise of an enduring house for David became Israel’s assurance that God would once again lift the nation up and cause it to flourish anew....The Lord’s words recorded here arguably play the single most significant role of any Scripture found in the Old Testament in shaping the Christian understanding of Jesus. The divine declarations proclaimed here through the prophet Nathan are foundational for seven major New Testament teachings about Jesus: that he is (1) the son of David (cf. Matt 1:1; Acts 13:22–23; Rom 1:3; 2 Tim 2:8; Rev 22:16, etc.); (2) one who would rise from the dead (cf. Acts 2:30; 13:23); (3) the builder of the house for God (cf. John 2:19–22; Heb 3:3–4, etc.); (4) the possessor of a throne (cf. Heb 1:8; Rev 3:21, etc.); (5) the possessor of an eternal kingdom (cf. 1 Cor 15:24–25; Eph 5:5; Heb 1:8; 2 Pet 1:11, etc.); (6) the son of God (cf. Mark 1:1; John 20:31; Acts 9:20; Heb 4:14; Rev 2:18, etc.); and (7) the product of an immaculate conception, since he had God as his father (cf. Luke 1:32–35). (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary) In the title of Psalm 18:1+ David though by this time is likely a king makes no mention of his royal title but gives his better title identifying himself as Yahweh's servant so that we read For the choir director. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said, “I love You, O LORD, my strength.” NET Note - The title “my servant” or “servant of the LORD” is reserved in the Bible for distinguished personages, people who are truly spiritual leaders, like Moses, David, Hezekiah, and also the Messiah. THOUGHT - My servant is a beautiful description and should be the one all of God's children strive for and desire to hear from Jehovah. May God's Spirit so work in all of our lives that we might all one day hear from our Master's lips, those precious words "Well done good and faithful slave (doulos servant), I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master." (Mt 25:23) In Jesus' Name. Amen. God is looking for faithfulness in His servants and He will take care of their fruitfulness and their future commendation. Make Steve Green's song your prayer beloved follower and servant of Christ - Find Us Faithful. Believer's Study Bible - The context and grammar indicate that the emphasis in God's reply through Nathan was on the pronouns. Rather than David building a literal house for God, God would build David a figurative house. The throne of Israel would stay in the Davidic family and would eventually be occupied by One who would rule forever (see 2Sa 7:11, 13, 16). The Lord explains elsewhere why Solomon and not David would build the temple (cf. 1Ch. 22:8; 28:3). Paradoxically a bondservant of the Most High God is one of the most privileged, noblest professions in the world. Little wonder that notable men of God in the have always been called the servants of God. The list of names includes: Moses (Dt 34:5+ Ps 105:26+ Mal 4:4+) Caleb (Nu 14:24+) But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it. Joshua (Josh 24:29+) David (Ps 18:1+, 2Sa 7:5+, 2Sa 3:18+ Ps 78:70) Paul (Ro 1:1+; Phil 1:1+; Titus 1:1+) Peter (2 Pe 1:1+) James (James 1:1+) Jude (Jude 1:1+) Prophets (Amos 3:7; Jer 7:25). __________ (Your name dear believer) (Acts 2:18+; 1Co 7:22+; Ep 6:6+; Col 4:12+; 2Ti 2:24+). SPECIAL TOPIC: MY SERVANT. 2 Samuel 7:6 "For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; but I have been moving about in a tent, even in a tabernacle. I have not: Jos 18:1 1Ki 8:16 1Ch 17:5,6 I have been moving about : Ex 33:14-15 Ex 40:35-38 Lev 26:23,24,27,28 Nu 10:33-36 De 23:14 2Co 6:16 Rev 2:1 in a tent: Ex 40:18-19,34 Ac 7:44 Related Passages: 1 Chronicles 17:5+ for I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from one dwelling place to another. Numbers 10:33-36+ (Thus they set out from the mount of the LORD three days’ journey, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD journeying in front of them for the three days, to seek out a resting place for them. 34 The cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp. 35 Then it came about when the ark set out that Moses said, “Rise up, O LORD! And let Your enemies be scattered, And let those who hate You flee before You.” 36 When it came to rest, he said, “Return, O LORD, To the myriad thousands of Israel.” 2 Corinthians 6:16+ Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 1 Corinthians 6:19+ Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? GOD REVIEWS HIS DWELLINGS For - Yahweh explains why David was not the one who should build the house, later will give a more specific reason in 1 Chronicles 22:8 and 1 Chronicles 28:3. I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day - Since the Exodus, God only had a portable tent (tabernacle), but no permanent structure. This was true some 400 years earlier and was still true. but - By contrast. I have been moving about in a tent, even in a tabernacle - God's presence was with the tent/tabernacle, manifest by His shekinah glory ("glory cloud" over the tabernacle). Given the fact that the worship center at Shiloh was destroyed, one has to wonder if His shekinah glory was present in "the house of Abinadab" in Kiriath-jearim where the Ark was returned from the Philistines (1Sa 7:1-2+). The only other mention of the Ark in First Samuel was in 1Sa 14:18 when Saul called for the Ark to be brought from Kiriath-jearim. However the text of 1Sa 14:18 suggests that what Saul called for was the ephod, not the Ark. Was the Ark in a tent/tabernacle at the house of Abinadab? The text is not clear. Dale Ralph Davis - Do you see what Yahweh is saying about himself? He is the God who travels with his people in all their topsy-turvy, here-and-there journeys and wanderings. Do his people live in tents? So does he. Are they a pilgrim people on their way to the land of promise? So he is the pilgrim God, sharing the rigors of the journey with them. Perhaps we glimpse now why Yahweh wants no cedar temple yet. He must make a secure place for Israel first (v. 10). He will not rest till he gives rest to his people (cf. Deut. 12:9–11)! Can you not see the astounding condescension of our God here? How can this revelation fail to overwhelm us and move us to adoring tears? ‘I have been travelling around in a tent … with all the sons of Israel.’ (2 Samuel - Out of Every Adversity) Spurgeon on God's response to David's desire to build Him a house -- At that time, in all David's land, there was no proper place for that Ark whereon the Lord had placed the mercy seat, where prayer could be offered, and where the manifested glory shone forth. All things had fallen into decay, and the outward forms of public worship were too much disregarded; hence the King resolves to be first and foremost in establishing a better order of things. Yet one cannot help remembering that the holy resolve of David gave to a place and a house much more importance than the Lord himself ever attached to such matters. This is indicated in Nathan's message from the Lord to the king—"Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the Lord, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?" Stephen in his inspired speech puts the matter plainly: "Solomon built him an house. Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands." (Acts 7:48+) It is a striking fact that true religion never flourished more in Israel than before the temple was built, and that from the day of the erection of that magnificent house the spirit of godliness declined. Good men may have on their hearts matters which seem to them of chief importance, and it may be acceptable with God that they should seek to carry them out; and yet in His infinite wisdom He may judge it best to prevent their executing their designs. God does not measure His people's actions by their wisdom, or want of wisdom, but by the sincere desire for His glory which has led up to them. David's resolution, though he was not allowed to fulfil it, brought a blessing upon him: the Lord promised to build the house of David, because he had desired to build the house of the Lord. Moreover, the King was allowed to prepare the treasure for the erection of the glorious edifice which was built by his son and successor. The Lord shows the acceptance of what we desire to do by permitting us to do something else which his infinite mind judges to be fitter for us, and more honourable to himself. (From Spurgeon's comment on Ps 132:5). 2 Samuel 7:7 "Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, 'Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?'"' BGT 2 Samuel 7:7 ἐν πᾶσιν οἷς διῆλθον ἐν παντὶ Ισραηλ εἰ λαλῶν ἐλάλησα πρὸς μίαν φυλὴν τοῦ Ισραηλ ᾧ ἐνετειλάμην ποιμαίνειν τὸν λαόν μου Ισραηλ λέγων τί ὅτι οὐκ ᾠκοδομήκατέ μοι οἶκον κέδρινον LXE 2 Samuel 7:7 wheresoever I went with all Israel. Have I ever spoken to any of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to tend my people Israel, saying, Why have ye not built me a house of Cedar? KJV 2 Samuel 7:7 In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar? NET 2 Samuel 7:7 Wherever I moved among all the Israelites, I did not say to any of the leaders whom I appointed to care for my people Israel, "Why have you not built me a house made from cedar?"' CSB 2 Samuel 7:7 In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked anyone among the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel: Why haven't you built Me a house of cedar?' ESV 2 Samuel 7:7 In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"' NIV 2 Samuel 7:7 Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" ' NLT 2 Samuel 7:7 Yet no matter where I have gone with the Israelites, I have never once complained to Israel's tribal leaders, the shepherds of my people Israel. I have never asked them, "Why haven't you built me a beautiful cedar house?"' Wherever I have gone: Lev 26:11,12 to shepherd My people Israel: 2Sa 5:2 Ps 78:71,72 Isa 40:11 Jer 3:15 23:4 Eze 34:2,15,23 Mic 5:4 Mt 2:6 *marg: Joh 21:15-17 Ac 20:28 21:28 1Pe 5:1 Related Passage: 1 Chronicles 17:6+ "In all places where I have walked with all Israel, have I spoken a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, 'Why have you not built for Me a house of cedar?'" ' GOD NEVER COMPLAINED THAT HE HAD NO HOUSE Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel (judges of Israel - 1Ch 17:6+), which I commanded to shepherd (protect, feed, lead) My people Israel, saying, 'Why have you not built Me a house of cedar - Note repetition of God's personal pronouns (I, I, I, My, Me). The implied answer is "No," God never spoke a word to Israel questioning why they had not built Him a house. NLT paraphrases it "I have never once complained to Israel's tribal leaders." 2 Samuel 7:8 "Now therefore, thus you shall say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be ruler over My people Israel. I took you from the pasture: 1Sa 16:11-12 1Ch 17:7 Ps 78:70 ruler: 2Sa 6:21 12:7 1Sa 9:16 10:1 See excellent summary by Michael Grisanti - 2 Samuel 7:8-16 The Davidic Covenant Related Passage: 1 Chronicles 17:7 "Now, therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be leader over My people Israel. 1 Samuel 16:11-12+ And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the children?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.” Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” 12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” Matthew 2:6+ ‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’” DAVID SELECTED TO BE ISRAEL'S SHEPHERD Watch the interesting pattern beginning in verses 7-8 which remind David of three things God has accomplished in his life to this point. All are true. All should undergird David's faith in what follows, because beginning in the middle of verse 9 there is a literal barrage of "I will" (or "will") statements by God, all of which promise things that will be true of David, either in his lifetime or after his lifetime. In short, the past "indicatives" (mood of reality) should enable David to lay hold by faith of the future "indicatives" (mood of reality, but in the future)! Now therefore, thus you shall say to My servant ('ebed; doulos, cf 2Sa 3:18+) David - See comments My servant David on 2Sa 7:5. God is Possessor ("My") of David and of my people Israel. The promises that God gives in the Davidic Covenant are based solely on the sovereign grace of Yahweh and is not related to David's character or actions. David is king and receives these covenant promises simply because God's heart willed it to be so! If we read the Davidic Covenant literally, the promises were given to a literal David and to a literal nation of Israel and were not given to the church (which did not even exist), so to attempt to say these promises now apply to the church is to yank the text out of context, a practice that usually results in misinterpretation of the text (see note on Replacement Theology) 'Thus says the LORD of hosts (Jehovah Sabaoth, LORD of hosts of armies), "I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be ruler over My people Israel (who would behave like sheep! cf Isa 53:6+) - Yahweh selected David from a position that was not highly respected in Israel. From a shepherd of sheep to a shepherd of figurative sheep, for "All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way." (Isa 53:6+). Sheep are easier to lead than people! Note that the LORD of armies here reminds David of 3 facts - (1) Took you out of shepherding sheep to shepherd "sheep" (figurative), (2) Was with you wherever you went (Protector) (2Sa 7:9) and (3) Gave you victory over all your enemies (Deliverer - in 2 Samuel 8, describing cutting off of enemies, "Helped" is used twice (2Sa 8:8, 14), the same Hebrew word "yasha" from which we get "Yeshua" - "Jehovah Saves"!). David can only nod in agreement with Yahweh's reminder. Now with his faith stimulated by the past acts of his faithful God, Yahweh will declare one of the greatest (multi-part) prophetic statements in the entire Bible in 2Sa 7:9b-17. While the word covenant is not used in these promises to David in 2 Samuel 7:8-14, they are referred to as the "Davidic Covenant" This name is substantiated because God's promises to David are referred to as a covenant in the passages that follow... 2 Chronicles 13:5 “Do you not know that the LORD God of Israel gave the rule over Israel forever to David and his sons by a covenant of salt? 2 Samuel 23:5 (DAVID) “Truly is not my house so with God? For He has made an everlasting covenant with me, Ordered in all things, and secured; For all my salvation and all my desire, Will He not indeed make it grow? 2 Chronicles 21:7 Yet the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David because of the covenant which He had made with David, and since He had promised to give a lamp to him and his sons forever. Psalm 89:3-4 “I have made a covenant with My chosen; I have sworn to David My servant, 4I will establish your seed forever And build up your throne to all generations.” Selah. Psalm 89:20-21, 28, 34-37 “I have found David My servant; With My holy oil I have anointed him, with whom My hand will be established; My arm also will strengthen him.....28 “My lovingkindness I will keep for him forever, And My covenant shall be confirmed to him..... 34-37 “My covenant I will not violate, Nor will I alter the utterance of My lips. 35 “Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David. 36 “His descendants shall endure forever And his throne as the sun before Me. 37 “It shall be established forever like the moon, And the witness in the sky is faithful.” Selah. Isaiah 55:3 “Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, According to the faithful mercies shown to David. Jeremiah 33:20-25+ “Thus says the LORD, ‘If you can break My covenant for the day and My covenant for the night, so that day and night will not be at their appointed time, 21 then My covenant may also be broken with David My servant so that he will not have a son to reign on his throne, and with the Levitical priests, My ministers. 22 ‘As the host of heaven cannot be counted and the sand of the sea cannot be measured, so I will multiply the descendants of David My servant and the Levites who minister to Me.’” 23 And the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, 24 “Have you not observed what this people have spoken, saying, ‘The two families which the LORD chose, He has rejected them’? Thus they despise My people, no longer are they as a nation in their sight. 25 “Thus says the LORD, ‘If My covenant for day and night stand not, and the fixed patterns of heaven and earth I have not established, 26 then I would reject the descendants of Jacob and David My servant, not taking from his descendants rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But (STRATEGIC TERM OF CONTRAST) I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy on them (ISRAEL).’” QUESTION - What is the Davidic covenant? ANSWER - The Davidic Covenant refers to God’s promises to David through Nathan the prophet and is found in 2 Samuel 7 and later summarized in 1 Chronicles 17:11–14 and 2 Chronicles 6:16. This is an unconditional covenant made between God and David through which God promises David and Israel that the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would come from the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah and would establish a kingdom that would endure forever. The Davidic Covenant is unconditional because God does not place any conditions of obedience upon its fulfillment. The surety of the promises made rests solely on God’s faithfulness and does not depend at all on David or Israel’s obedience. The Davidic Covenant centers on several key promises that are made to David. First, God reaffirms the promise of the land that He made in the first two covenants with Israel (the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants). This promise is seen in 2 Samuel 7:10, “I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore.” God then promises that David’s son will succeed him as king of Israel and that this son (Solomon) would build the temple. This promise is seen in 2 Samuel 7:12–13, " I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name.” But then the promise continues and expands: “I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (verse 13), and “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever” (verse 16). What began as a promise that David’s son Solomon would be blessed and build the temple turns into something different—the promise of an everlasting kingdom. Another Son of David would rule forever and build a lasting House. This is a reference to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, called the Son of David in Matthew 21:9. The promise that David’s “house,” “kingdom,” and “throne” will be established forever is significant because it shows that the Messiah will come from the lineage of David and that He will establish a kingdom from which He will reign. The covenant is summarized by the words “house,” promising a dynasty in the lineage of David; “kingdom,” referring to a people who are governed by a king; “throne,” emphasizing the authority of the king’s rule; and “forever,” emphasizing the eternal and unconditional nature of this promise to David and Israel. Other references to the Davidic Covenant are found in Jeremiah 23:5; 30:9; Isaiah 9:7; 11:1; Luke 1:32, 69; Acts 13:34; and Revelation 3:7.GotQuestions.org QUESTION - What is replacement theology / supersessionism? ANSWER - Replacement theology (also known as supersessionism) essentially teaches that the church has replaced Israel in God’s plan. Adherents of replacement theology believe the Jews are no longer God’s chosen people, and God does not have specific future plans for the nation of Israel. Among the different views of the relationship between the church and Israel are the church has replaced Israel (replacement theology), the church is an expansion of Israel (covenant theology), or the church is completely different and distinct from Israel (dispensationalism/premillennialism). Replacement theology teaches that the church is the replacement for Israel and that the many promises made to Israel in the Bible are fulfilled in the Christian church, not in Israel. The prophecies in Scripture concerning the blessing and restoration of Israel to the Promised Land are spiritualized or allegorized into promises of God’s blessing for the church. Major problems exist with this view, such as the continuing existence of the Jewish people throughout the centuries and especially with the revival of the modern state of Israel. If Israel has been condemned by God and there is no future for the Jewish nation, how do we explain the supernatural survival of the Jewish people over the past 2,000 years despite the many attempts to destroy them? How do we explain why and how Israel reappeared as a nation in the 20th century after not existing for 1,900 years? The view that Israel and the church are different is clearly taught in the New Testament. Biblically speaking, the church is distinct from Israel, and the terms church and Israel are never to be confused or used interchangeably. We are taught from Scripture that the church is an entirely new creation that came into being on the day of Pentecost and will continue until it is taken to heaven at the rapture (Ephesians 1:9–11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17). The church has no relationship to the curses and blessings for Israel. The covenants, promises, and warnings of the Mosaic Covenant were valid only for Israel. Israel has been temporarily set aside in God’s program during these past 2,000 years of dispersion (see Romans 11). Contrary to replacement theology, dispensationalism teaches that, after the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18), God will restore Israel as the primary focus of His plan. The first event at this time is the tribulation (Revelation chapters 6–19). The world will be judged for rejecting Christ, while Israel is prepared through the trials of the great tribulation for the second coming of the Messiah. Then, when Christ does return to the earth at the end of the tribulation, Israel will be ready to receive Him. The remnant of Israel who survive the tribulation will be saved, and the Lord will establish His kingdom on this earth with Jerusalem as its capital. With Christ reigning as King, Israel will be the leading nation, and representatives from all nations will come to Jerusalem to honor and worship the King—Jesus Christ. The church will return with Christ and will reign with Him for a literal thousand years (Revelation 20:1–5). Both the Old Testament and the New Testament support a premillennial/dispensational understanding of God’s plan for Israel. The strongest support for premillennialism is found in the clear teaching of Revelation 20:1–7, where it says six times that Christ’s kingdom will last 1,000 years. After the tribulation the Lord will return and establish His kingdom with the nation of Israel, Christ will reign over the whole earth, and Israel will be the leader of the nations. The church will reign with Him for a literal thousand years. The church has not replaced Israel in God’s plan. While God may be focusing His attention primarily on the church in this dispensation of grace, God has not forgotten Israel and will one day restore Israel to His intended role as the nation He has chosen (Romans 11).GotQuestions.org Related Resources from Gotquestions: What does it mean that the church has been grafted in Israel’s place? What is spiritual Israel? Who are the seed of Abraham? 2 Samuel 7:9 "And I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a great name, like the names of the great men who are on the earth. And I: 2Sa 5:10, 8:6,14, 22:30,34-38 1Sa 18:14 1Ch 17:8 cut off: 2Sa 22:1 1Sa 31:6 Ps 18:37-42 89:23 a great: Ge 12:2 1Sa 2:8 1Ch 17:8 Ps 113:7,8 Lu 1:52 like: Ps 87:3-6 Related Passage: Genesis 12:1-3+ Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; 2 And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; 3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” 1 Chronicles 17:8 “I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a name like the name of the great ones who are in the earth. 2 Samuel 5:10+ David became greater and greater, for (GOD WAS WITH HIM) the LORD God of hosts (Jehovah Sabaoth, LORD of hosts of armies) was with him. Psalm 89:20-24+ “I have found David My servant; With My holy oil I have anointed him, 21 With whom My hand will be established; My arm also will strengthen him. 22 “The enemy will not deceive him, Nor the son of wickedness afflict him. 23 “But I shall crush his adversaries before him, And strike those who hate him. 24 “My faithfulness and My lovingkindness will be with him, And in My name his horn will be exalted. GOD'S PROMISE TO MAKE DAVID'S NAME GREAT And I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you (Lit - Heb. from thy face) - God's presence and protection have been ever present. THOUGHT - Beloved follower of Christ, can this not be said of our lives. While it may not yet appear all our enemies are cut off, we have not yet seen the end of the story! Hold on, our Redeemer is coming! For encouragement regarding this sure hope listen to Rich Mullins' My Deliverer and especially the words "My Deliverer is coming. My Deliverer is standing by....He will never break His promise!" and I will make you a great name, like the names of the great men who are on the earth - Yahweh of hosts gives David a "consolation" prize, so while he cannot build the Temple for God, God will build him (so to speak) a great name. This promise is similar to the one Yahweh gave Abraham declaring "And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing." (Ge 12:2+) As an aside, it is interesting that every other mention of great name refers to God Himself - Jos 7:9; 1Sa 12:22; 1Ki 8:42; Jer 44:26; Ezek 36:23 J.