Christ's Rule and how to react
Text: Psalm 2:7-12 Time: 29/07/07 Place: Childs Hill Baptist ChurchWe have begun to look at Psalm 2 and we have said that whereas it speaks firstly of David who was Israel's King at this time, God's anointed one, it also has a clear application to the Messiah or Anointed One, Christ Jesus.
We spoke first of the world's opposition to God and its rebellion against Messiah. We should expect empty conspiracies and plots from the world. We should expect them to take a stand against God and against his Christ and expect them to be determined to rebel against God and to try to break free. We then looked at God's reaction to man's opposition and rebellion, noting his lack of fear, his angry rebuke and then his statement in 6 I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill. God the Father is confident in his Messiah, it is clear, and so the opposition of the world does not trouble him nor should it trouble us unduly.
Now this week I want us to go on with 7-12 where we firstly learn more of Christ's rule in 7-9 and are then called to react to this in the right way in the closing three verses, 10-12.
Now this week I want us to go on with 7-12 where we firstly learn more of Christ's rule in 7-9 and are then called to react to this in the right way in the closing three verses, 10-12.
So two things again
1. Consider this proclamation of the Lord's decree to MessiahSo far in this psalm we have heard a lot about the nations and the peoples and their kings and rulers and their conspiring and plotting and so on but from verse 4 our attention is turned from earth and its people to heaven and to God. At the point we have reached all the focus is on the Messiah or Christ, the Son of God. He is the one who speaks here. As we have suggested, the words must be understood as speaking firstly of David but then more broadly of Messiah himself, of Jesus Christ. So we say three things
1. Consider the Father's Sonship decreeIn verse 7 David says I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, You are my Son; today I have become your Father. David could be simply declaring God's love for him here. God loves him as a Father and so all will be well. However, there seems to be something more going on. David is clearly referring back to what we read in 2 Samuel 7 and which we mentioned last time. You remember again how David wanted to build a house for God and Nathan agreed at first but was then sent back to David to say (11-16) it was going to be the other way round.
1. Consider this proclamation of the Lord's decree to MessiahSo far in this psalm we have heard a lot about the nations and the peoples and their kings and rulers and their conspiring and plotting and so on but from verse 4 our attention is turned from earth and its people to heaven and to God. At the point we have reached all the focus is on the Messiah or Christ, the Son of God. He is the one who speaks here. As we have suggested, the words must be understood as speaking firstly of David but then more broadly of Messiah himself, of Jesus Christ. So we say three things
1. Consider the Father's Sonship decreeIn verse 7 David says I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, You are my Son; today I have become your Father. David could be simply declaring God's love for him here. God loves him as a Father and so all will be well. However, there seems to be something more going on. David is clearly referring back to what we read in 2 Samuel 7 and which we mentioned last time. You remember again how David wanted to build a house for God and Nathan agreed at first but was then sent back to David to say (11-16) it was going to be the other way round.
The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.The actual promise of sonship is applied to Solomon but clearly David saw it as applying to himself in the first instance as well. It was his Father-Son relationship with God that gave him the confidence to believe that despite all the opposition he has spoken of, all would be well for he was indeed the Son of God and his Father would not fail him.
Of course, what is true of David in more general terms is particularly true of Jesus the Messiah. As we know, he is the Son of God. He is the Son of God because God the Father said to him and said to no other - You are my Son; today I have become your Father. It was not something suddenly decided on but something established very deliberately by decree.
Of course, the question arises as to when the Father said this. On what today did the Father become his Father, the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ? When did the Son become his Son, God the Son?
When we come to the New Testament we notice that the verse is quoted at least twice and in two different ways and so we probably need to think chiefly of two days –
Of course, what is true of David in more general terms is particularly true of Jesus the Messiah. As we know, he is the Son of God. He is the Son of God because God the Father said to him and said to no other - You are my Son; today I have become your Father. It was not something suddenly decided on but something established very deliberately by decree.
Of course, the question arises as to when the Father said this. On what today did the Father become his Father, the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ? When did the Son become his Son, God the Son?
When we come to the New Testament we notice that the verse is quoted at least twice and in two different ways and so we probably need to think chiefly of two days –
First, the day of the secret and eternal decree that was made before creation and then
Second, the public and historical declaration of that decree in the resurrection.
It is a little like fixing the time of a person's birth. There is the birthday, of course, but before that ever happens there has to be the conception that precedes it. So there is not only the day of resurrection but also the day of the secret decree beforehand.
1 So first there is the eternal decree
1 So first there is the eternal decree
Before the world began, back in the mists of eternity, there was what we can best describe as an eternal covenant made between the Father and the Son in which the Father said to the Son You are my Son; today I have become your Father. This secret decree or promise or statute between Father and Son gave all power into the hands of the Son who would then come and do all that was intended and then reign until finally handing the kingdom over to the Father again at the end. This eternal decree is referred to in Heb 1:5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, You are my Son; today I have become your Father? Or again, I will be his Father, and he will be my Son. (The second text quoted is 2 Samuel 7:14). Jesus was referring to this when he spoke of (for example) the will of him who sent me (Jn 6:40) and the command he received from his Father (Jn 10:18, 14:31). He is the Son of God, not by adoption, but as the only-begotten Son of the Father, his one and only (Jn 1:14). He is the unique Son of God, and so
Also be encouraged by all this because it is clear that if you look to him all will be well.
2 Second, there is the public declaration
- He has the same nature as the Father. Just as in him all the fullness of the godhead dwells (infinite wisdom, power, and holiness) so in his Son too. He was the craftsman at the Father's side, the one filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, (Prov 8:30).
- He is God's dear Son, his beloved, and so we must all listen to him. The Father has put everything into the hands of his Son.
- As the Son he is also the heir of all things. The Father governs everything through him. Matthew Henry helpfully says: "If God hath said unto him, Thou art my Son, it becomes each of us to say to him, Thou art my Lord, my sovereign."
Also be encouraged by all this because it is clear that if you look to him all will be well.
2 Second, there is the public declaration
The other place in the New Testament where this verse is quoted is Acts 13:32-35 32 We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: You are my Son; today I have become your Father. The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words: I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David. So it is stated elsewhere: You will not let your Holy One see decay.
As Paul says (Rom 1:4) it is by the resurrection that he was declared with power to be the Son of God. It is following the resurrection that he enters on the administration of his mediatorial kingdom. At that point all power and authority in heaven on earth was given to him.
As we have said, here is reason to praise Christ. The resurrection proves that he truly is the Son of God. Oh what a vindication that was!
2. Consider the Father's promise of an inheritanceDavid goes on in verse 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. As the Son of God, Jesus has only to ask the Father and the nations will not be able to stand against him. They are his inheritance for the asking. It is like a father saying to his son – just ask me for this or that and I will give it to you.
2. Consider the Father's promise of an inheritanceDavid goes on in verse 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. As the Son of God, Jesus has only to ask the Father and the nations will not be able to stand against him. They are his inheritance for the asking. It is like a father saying to his son – just ask me for this or that and I will give it to you.
He must be an intercessor. This presupposes a willingness to humble himself and to take on himself human nature in order to be an intercessor – one who prays to the Father. As God he is equal in power and glory and need never ask for anything but he is now an intercessor.
It also hints at his making satisfaction on the basis of which the intercession can be made. This reminds us of the cross and what Christ has done for his own.
2 God the Father will give
2 God the Father will give
Even here it is clear then that the Messiah will have not only Jews as part of his inheritance but also Gentiles. We know that the people of God are made up of those from every tribe and tongue and nation. The promise of that is here. They are given in eternity as the elect and in time they are brought to Christ by the Holy Spirit to be his.
Again here is reason not only for praise but also for encouragement. Not only will the enemies of Christ not succeed but many who now are opposed to him will come to bow at his feet and accept his rule. They will be his.
3 Consider the Father's promise of victory9 You will rule them with an iron sceptre; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.Here we see a striking (!) picture of how powerful Christ is. The picture is of iron breaking pottery - an iron rod against clay pots 9not a pottery rod against iron pots). There is no contest here. Those who resist him he is able to break in pieces. How quickly and how easily he is able to destroy all those who will not repent. The verse is quoted in Rev 2:27 as something God's servants are able to do in Christ. When Christ is at work victory is certain. He cannot be defeated.
All resistance to him is futile. He will lead victory to victory. He will conquer. he goes conquering and to conquer.
2. Consider this exhortation to kings and rulers to be wiseWhat a powerful picture of Messiah and his rule we have here then. The picture is full of instruction and gives us every reason to praise God and to be encouraged in Christ.
Again here is reason not only for praise but also for encouragement. Not only will the enemies of Christ not succeed but many who now are opposed to him will come to bow at his feet and accept his rule. They will be his.
3 Consider the Father's promise of victory9 You will rule them with an iron sceptre; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.Here we see a striking (!) picture of how powerful Christ is. The picture is of iron breaking pottery - an iron rod against clay pots 9not a pottery rod against iron pots). There is no contest here. Those who resist him he is able to break in pieces. How quickly and how easily he is able to destroy all those who will not repent. The verse is quoted in Rev 2:27 as something God's servants are able to do in Christ. When Christ is at work victory is certain. He cannot be defeated.
All resistance to him is futile. He will lead victory to victory. He will conquer. he goes conquering and to conquer.
2. Consider this exhortation to kings and rulers to be wiseWhat a powerful picture of Messiah and his rule we have here then. The picture is full of instruction and gives us every reason to praise God and to be encouraged in Christ.
In the closing verses we have some instructions on what should be done about this. We will be brief.
1. See the need to be wise and take warning if you oppose the Christ
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Clearly then to simply go on opposing God's anointed one is a from of madness. It would not be wise to do such a thing. To oppose a mere earthly king could be foolish but to oppose the Son of God himself cannot be wise in any way.
1. See the need to be wise and take warning if you oppose the Christ
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Clearly then to simply go on opposing God's anointed one is a from of madness. It would not be wise to do such a thing. To oppose a mere earthly king could be foolish but to oppose the Son of God himself cannot be wise in any way.
If you were in a school and you enjoyed fighting with others you might fight with all sorts of boys though you would risk the prospect of either losing or being in trouble with the teachers. Now if one of the pupils was the teacher's son – would it be wise to fight him? Clearly not. To oppose Jesus Christ is to oppose God's own Son. It is crazy to even think about.
Are you opposing Christ? Realise just what you are doing. Is that wise?
2. Be reconciled to the Son before it is too late
Rather this is what must happen - 11 Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment.There needs to be a resolve now to serve Christ, not to oppose him. The way to serve is with reverence and yet joy, knowing you are under his protection. A kiss of homage and friendship and love and adoration needs to be employed as soon as possible.
2. Be reconciled to the Son before it is too late
Rather this is what must happen - 11 Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment.There needs to be a resolve now to serve Christ, not to oppose him. The way to serve is with reverence and yet joy, knowing you are under his protection. A kiss of homage and friendship and love and adoration needs to be employed as soon as possible.
We have already spoken about God's wrath and anger. The Son's anger is such that it can flare up in a moment we are told here. Don't leave it then. Don't risk it. Act. Turn to the Son now. Kiss him.
Be his friend. He is willing to be yours.
Be his friend. He is willing to be yours.
Show love to him. He loves you.
Show your loyalty to him.
Adore him and worship him always.
3. Realise the blessedness of taking refuge in him
Negatively we have been told Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. The very last line of the psalm gives us the positive side. It is another beatitude. It takes us back to the very opening line of the Book, which is also a beatitude. Here it is Blessed are all who take refuge in him. The way to true happiness is in him.
Hide in him, take refuge in him, and all will be well. Don't make him the object of your opposition but find refuge in him. Our instinct is to fight against him but we must rather change sides, hand over our weapons, and find refuge in him.
3. Realise the blessedness of taking refuge in him
Negatively we have been told Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. The very last line of the psalm gives us the positive side. It is another beatitude. It takes us back to the very opening line of the Book, which is also a beatitude. Here it is Blessed are all who take refuge in him. The way to true happiness is in him.
Hide in him, take refuge in him, and all will be well. Don't make him the object of your opposition but find refuge in him. Our instinct is to fight against him but we must rather change sides, hand over our weapons, and find refuge in him.
