CHAPTER 2 - PHYSICAL ALLEGORY AND
SPIRITUAL REALITY
Is It Wrong To Lend Upon
Interest?
You wrote,
The practices that make trading or
merchandising illegal or sinful are the uses of usury (interest) (Ex. 22:25;
Lev. 25:36). In addition this is coupled with the exploitation of the poor, the
fatherless, and the widow. The Western World has the exact same sinful system
of interest and central banks as did ancient
Is it wrong to lend upon interest?
Deuteronomy 23:19-20 reads,
23:19You
shall not lend on interest to your brother; interest of money, interest of
victuals, interest of anything that is lent on interest: 23:20to a foreigner you may lend on interest;
but to your brother you shall not lend on interest, that Yahweh your God may
bless you in all that you put your hand to, in the land where you go in to
possess it.
Doesn't Yahweh make distinction between brethren and outsiders in the dealings a person has with each of them? Doesn't Yahweh forbid brethren lending to one another on interest, but allows them to do so when lending to outsiders? Does Yahweh allow his people to sin against those who are not brethren? Doesn't Yahweh command in Leviticus 19 that one should love one's neighbour as oneself? Doesn't this show that it is not wrong to lend upon interest, but that one's close relatives should be given preferential treatment in one's dealing with them?
Yahweh's Everlasting Word To
David
2 Samuel 7:1-17 reads,
7:1It
happened, when the king lived in his house, and Yahweh had given him rest from
all his enemies round about, 7:2that
the king said to Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the
ark of God dwells within curtains. 7:3Nathan
said to the king, Go, do all that is in your heart; for Yahweh is with you. 7:4It happened the same night, that the word of
Yahweh came to Nathan, saying, 7:5Go
and tell my servant David, Thus says Yahweh, Shall you build me a house for me
to dwell in? 7:6for I have not lived
in a house since the day that I brought up the children of
Why Did Yahweh So Speak
Concerning Israel?
7:10 talks of Yahweh planting his people Israel at their own appointed place, and ensuring that they will be moved no more, as they had been prior to Yahweh so speaking to David. Has this word of Yahweh been fulfilled? Was this word of Yahweh fulfilled in the days of David's son, Solomon? Has it been the case that Yahweh's people Israel have NEVER been moved from their appointed place since the time of Solomon? Weren't Yahweh's people already living in their appointed place at the time Yahweh so spoke to David? Then why did Yahweh speak to David in the future tense, implying that when he would plant his people Israel in their own place they would not have been dwelling therein prior to his so planting them?
Yahweh Spoke Of Events In The
Distant Future, Rather Than For Fulfilment In David's Time
Don't Yahweh's words imply that a time was to come when his people Israel would cease to dwell in their own appointed place? Don't Yahweh's words imply that he would in future, after his people Israel would have ceased dwelling in their own appointed place, gather them again to that place and reappoint them there to dwell in? Don't his words imply that after he gathers his people again to dwell in their own appointed place they would never, from then on, be moved therefrom? Wasn't Yahweh therefore speaking of a time far into the future from the time that he was speaking?
Did Yahweh Establish The
Throne Of Solomon's Kingdom Forever?
In 7:12-14 Yahweh talks of David's seed who would build a house for Yahweh's name, and whose kingdom Yahweh would establish forever. Solomon, David's son, built a house for Yahweh's name. Yahweh established Solomon's kingdom. Is Solomon's kingdom still established? Is Solomon still reigning since the time he began to reign? Or, has the house of Solomon continued to reign since the time it was established?
Solomon's Kingdom Came To An
End
Doesn't history show that Solomon's kingdom ceased to exist a very long time ago, thereby showing that it was not established forever?
Which Seed Of David Did Yahweh
Speak About?
Seeing that Yahweh did not establish forever Solomon's kingdom, then which seed of David is Yahweh talking about in 7:12-14, whose kingdom he would establish forever?
Yahweh's Word To David Has Yet
To Be Fulfilled
Also, seeing that to date there is no kingdom of a seed of David established at the place Yahweh appointed for his people Israel, don't these words of Yahweh suggest that they will be fulfilled in future? Isn't it the case that a kingdom of a seed of David will be established forever in the place Yahweh has appointed for his people Israel?
Doesn't 7:16 show that even though David was then established as king over all Israel, he had not then been established forever? Didn't Yahweh say that he WOULD - future tense - establish David's house, kingdom and throne? Wasn't Yahweh clearly showing David that the fulfilment of these words was to take place at some future time, and not at the time that he so spoke to David?
Yahweh's Promise To David Was
Conditional
1 Kings 2:1-12 reads,
2:1Now
the days of David drew near that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son,
saying, 2:2I am going the way of
all the earth: be you strong therefore, and show yourself a man; 2:3and keep the charge of Yahweh your God, to
walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his
ordinances, and his testimonies, according to that which is written in the law
of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do, and wherever you turn
yourself. 2:4That Yahweh may
establish his word which he spoke concerning me, saying, If your children take
heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all
their soul, there shall not fail you (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.
2:5Moreover you know also what Joab
the son of Zeruiah did to me, even what he did to the two captains of the hosts
of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner, and to Amasa the son of Jether, whom he
killed, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war on his
sash that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. 2:6Do therefore according to your wisdom, and
don’t let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace. 2:7But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite,
and let them be of those who eat at your table; for so they came to me when I
fled from Absalom your brother. 2:8Behold,
there is with you Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite, of Bahurim, who cursed
me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim; but he came down
to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by Yahweh, saying, I will not put
you to death with the sword. 2:9Now
therefore don’t hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man; and you will know
what you ought to do to him, and you shall bring his gray head down to Sheol
with blood. 2:10David slept with his
fathers, and was buried in the city of David. 2:11The
days that David reigned over Israel were forty years; seven years reigned he in
Hebron, and thirty-three years reigned he in Jerusalem. 2:12Solomon sat on the throne of David his
father; and his kingdom was established greatly.
Doesn't 2:2-4 show that David clearly understood that Yahweh's promise to him was CONDITIONAL? Wasn't Yahweh's promise that a son of David would always reign over Israel IF David's children walked before Yahweh in truth, with all their heart and all their soul? Doesn't this clearly imply that if David's children did not walk before Yahweh in truth David would eventually fail to have a man on the throne of Israel?
Did David's children walk before Yahweh in truth? Doesn't history show that they forsook Yahweh's way, partaking of idolatry? Didn't their departure from Yahweh's way bring about their own downfall from the throne of Israel? Doesn't this therefore clearly show that it is not correct to allege, as some do, that the Davidic line is still on the throne of Israel?
Yahweh Gave Solomon A
Conditional Promise
1 Kings 6:11-13 reads,
6:11The
word of Yahweh came to Solomon, saying, 6:12Concerning this house which you are building, if you will
walk in my statutes, and execute my ordinances, and keep all my commandments to
walk in them; then will I establish my word with you, which I spoke to David
your father. 6:13I will dwell
among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.
Didn't Yahweh give Solomon a CONDITIONAL promise? Didn't Yahweh promise to establish his word with Solomon, the word he spoke to Solomon's father David? Doesn't this clearly show that at this time that Yahweh was speaking he had not established that word with Solomon? Doesn't this also show that it was not a foregone matter that the word was to be established with Solomon, with the possibility that it could have been established with another descendant or son of David?
Yahweh's Word Applied To A Son
Of David Who Was To Build Yahweh A House For Yahweh's Name
Yahweh said in 2 Samuel 7:12-15
7:12When
your days are fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will set
up your seed after you, who shall proceed out of your bowels, and I will
establish his kingdom. 7:13He shall
build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom
forever. 7:14I will be his
father, and he shall be my son: if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him
with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men; 7:15but my lovingkindness shall not depart from
him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you.
Seeing that Solomon was in the process of building Yahweh's house when Yahweh gave him the conditional promise to establish his kingdom, seeing that it wasn't yet established at the time Yahweh spoke, isn't it clear that Yahweh's word to David was not specific to Solomon? Nevertheless, didn't Yahweh's word apply to a son of David who was to build Yahweh a house for Yahweh's name?
History shows that apart from the house of Yahweh that Solomon built, another house of Yahweh was built by a son of David, even Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel? Did Yahweh establish his word to establish the throne of a son of David who would build him a house with Zerubbabel? If not, isn't it the case that another son of David was yet to arise and build Yahweh a house, and that Yahweh was to establish the throne of this son of David?
A third house of Yahweh has not yet been built. The son of David who builds this house may indeed be the one whose kingdom throne Yahweh will establish forever.
Who is this son of David?
Solomon Clearly Understood
That Yahweh Hadn't Yet Established His Word To David
1 Kings 8:22-26 reads,
8:22Solomon
stood before the altar of Yahweh in the presence of all the assembly of Israel,
and spread forth his hands toward heaven; 8:23and
he said, Yahweh, the God of Israel, there is no God like you, in
heaven above, or on earth beneath; who keep covenant and lovingkindness with
your servants, who walk before you with all their heart; 8:24who have kept with your servant David my
father that which you did promise him: yes, you spoke with your mouth, and have
fulfilled it with your hand, as it is this day. 8:25Now therefore, Yahweh, the God of Israel, keep with your
servant David my father that which you have promised him, saying, There shall
not fail you a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your
children take heed to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before
me. 8:26Now therefore, God of
Israel, Please let your word be verified, which you spoke to your servant David
my father.
When Solomon prayed to Yahweh, at the dedication of the house of Yahweh to Yahweh, didn't he clearly understand that Yahweh had not by then established his word as promised to David? Didn't he clearly understand that Yahweh had not yet established the word to ensure that a man of David would always sit on the throne of Israel? Didn't he also clearly understand that Yahweh's promise was conditional on the children of David walking in truth before Yahweh?
Yahweh Spoke To Solomon In The
Conditional Manner That He Had Spoken To David
1 Kings 9:1-9 reads,
9:1It
happened, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of Yahweh, and
the king’s house, and all Solomon’s desire which he was pleased to do, 9:2that Yahweh appeared to Solomon the
second time, as he had appeared to him at Gibeon. 9:3Yahweh said to him, I have heard your prayer
and your supplication, that you have made before me: I have made this house
holy, which you have built, to put my name there forever; and my eyes and my
heart shall be there perpetually. 9:4As
for you, if you will walk before me, as David your father walked, in integrity
of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you,
and will keep my statutes and my ordinances; 9:5then
I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, according as I
promised to David your father, saying, There shall not fail you a man on the
throne of Israel. 9:6But if you
shall turn away from following me, you or your children, and not keep my
commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but shall go and
serve other gods, and worship them; 9:7then
will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house,
which I have made holy for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel
shall be a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 9:8Though this house is so high, yet shall
everyone who passes by it be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say,
Why has Yahweh done thus to this land, and to this house? 9:9and they shall answer, Because they forsook
Yahweh their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and
laid hold on other gods, and worshiped them, and served them: therefore has
Yahweh brought all this evil on them.
Didn't Yahweh clearly tell Solomon that he had not, by then, established the throne of Solomon's kingdom over Israel forever, and still spoke to him in the same CONDITIONAL manner that he spoke to Solomon's father David? Didn't Yahweh require both Solomon and his children to walk before Yahweh in integrity of heart and in uprightness, before Yahweh would establish the throne of Solomon's kingdom over Israel forever, ensuring that there would be no failure of a man of Solomon on the throne of Israel? Didn't Yahweh also make clear to Solomon that if he or his children forsook Yahweh, and served other mighty ones, that not only would Yahweh not establish that word for Solomon, he would eject them from the land of Israel which he had given them?
Yahweh's Sign For Identifying
The Prophesied Son Of David
Hasn't Yahweh made clear, in his word to Solomon, that when he ejects Israel from the land he had given them, and casts out of his sight the house built for his name, he does not establish the throne of the kingdom of the son of David who built that house of Yahweh? In other words, hasn't Yahweh given a clear signal by which we may know whether or not he has established the throne of the kingdom of the son of David who builds him his house? Isn't this sign the establishment of that house, and not its casting out of Yahweh's sight? Doesn't Yahweh clearly show, when he casts out of his sight the house built for his name, that he has not established the throne of the kingdom of the son of David who built that house?
Yahweh's Conditional Promise
To David Has Yet To Be Fulfilled
Hasn’t history shown that two sons of David have built two different houses of Yahweh? Hasn't history also shown that Yahweh cast out of his sight both of these houses built for his name? Hasn't Yahweh therefore clearly shown us that he did not establish in these sons of David the promise he gave to David, to establish the throne of his son who would build a house for Yahweh's name? Doesn't this imply that there yet must arise another son of David to build another house of Yahweh, a son who indeed will serve Yahweh faithfully, without going after serving other mighty ones? Doesn't this clearly show that Yahweh's conditional promise for the establishment of the kingdom of the son of David who would build him a house has YET to be fulfilled?
Which son of David will build Yahweh another house for his name? Which son of David will have Yahweh establish the throne of his kingdom in Israel forever?
Yahweh Told Solomon That He
Would Destroy Solomon's Kingdom
1 Kings 11:1-13 reads,
11:1Now
king Solomon loved many foreign women, together with the daughter of
Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites; 11:2of the nations concerning which Yahweh said
to the children of Israel, You shall not go among them, neither shall they come
among you; for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon
joined to these in love. 11:3He
had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his
wives turned away his heart. 11:4For
it happened, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after
other gods; and his heart was not perfect with Yahweh his God, as was the heart
of David his father. 11:5For
Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the
abomination of the Ammonites. 11:6Solomon
did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and didn’t go fully after
Yahweh, as did David his father. 11:7Then
did Solomon build a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the
mountain that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the
children of Ammon. 11:8So did he for
all his foreign wives, who burnt incense and sacrificed to their gods. 11:9Yahweh was angry with Solomon, because his
heart was turned away from Yahweh, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him
twice, 11:10and had commanded him
concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he didn’t
keep that which Yahweh commanded. 11:11Therefore
Yahweh said to Solomon, Because this is done of you, and you have not kept my
covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the
kingdom from you, and will give it to your servant. 11:12Notwithstanding in your days I will not do
it, for David your father’s sake: but I will tear it out of the hand of your
son. 11:13However I will not
tear away all the kingdom; but I will give one tribe to your son, for David
my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.
Didn't Yahweh make crystal clear to Solomon that rather than establish the throne of his kingdom in Israel forever, he was going to tear the kingdom from Solomon? Doesn't this clearly show that Solomon is NOT the son of David who built the house of Yahweh whose kingdom in Israel Yahweh established forever? Doesn't this clearly show that it was indeed another son of David who was to build another house of Yahweh whose kingdom in Israel Yahweh would establish forever?
Who is this son of David whose kingdom in Israel Yahweh will establish forever?
Why Yahweh Didn't Destroy
Solomon's Entire Kingdom
1 Kings 11:26-39 reads,
11:26Jeroboam
the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a servant of Solomon, whose
mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow, he also lifted up his hand against the king.
11:27This was the reason why he
lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the
breach of the city of David his father. 11:28The
man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor; and Solomon saw the young man that he
was industrious, and he gave him charge over all the labor of the house of
Joseph. 11:29It happened at that
time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the
Shilonite found him in the way; now Ahijah had clad himself with a new garment;
and they two were alone in the field. 11:30Ahijah
laid hold of the new garment that was on him, and tore it in twelve pieces. 11:31He said to Jeroboam, Take ten pieces; for thus
says Yahweh, the God of Israel, Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand
of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to you 11:32(but
he shall have one tribe, for my servant David’s sake and for Jerusalem’s sake, the
city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel); 11:33because that they have forsaken me,
and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of
Moab, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon; and they have not walked
in my ways, to do that which is right in my eyes, and to keep my statutes and
my ordinances, as did David his father. 11:34However
I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand; but I will make him prince
all the days of his life, for David my servant’s sake whom I chose, who kept my
commandments and my statutes; 11:35but
I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand, and will give it to you, even
ten tribes. 11:36To his son will I
give one tribe, that David my servant may have a lamp always before me in
Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there. 11:37I will take you, and you shall reign
according to all that your soul desires, and shall be king over Israel. 11:38It shall be, if you will listen to all
that I command you, and will walk in my ways, and do that which is right in my
eyes, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I
will be with you, and will build you a sure house, as I built for David, and
will give Israel to you. 11:39I
will for this afflict the seed of David, but not forever.
Yahweh Didn't Unconditionally
Promise To Have David's Sons Ruling Over Jerusalem
Didn't Yahweh make clear in 11:36 that he allowed the sons of David to continue to rule over one tribe in Israel for David's sake, that David may have a lamp always before Yahweh in JERUSALEM, the city that Yahweh has chosen to put his name there? Nevertheless, isn't it clear that Yahweh did not promise that David would ALWAYS have a lamp before Yahweh in Jerusalem? Isn't there a DISTINCTION between purpose and promise? Didn't Yahweh allow David's sons rulership over one tribe in Israel without promising them perpetual rulership over that tribe in Jerusalem?
David's Sons Eventually Ceased
Their Rule From Jerusalem
Doesn't history show that a time eventually came when the sons of David ceased to be king over one tribe in Jerusalem? Isn't it also the case that even today there is no king over one tribe of Israel, ruling from Jerusalem? Isn't it clear that this purpose was not fulfilled throughout history, in that the sons of David ceased to rule from Jerusalem over a tribe of Israel?
Yahweh's Promise To David
Still Awaiting Fulfilment
Doesn't it therefore appear that Yahweh's conditional promise to David, to establish forever the kingdom throne in Israel of a son of David who would build Yahweh his house, has yet to be fulfilled? Aren't we still waiting for the fulfilment of this promise upon a son of David?
Yahweh Preserved David's Sons
Over Jerusalem For A Time For His Own Name's Sake
1 Kings 15:1-5 reads,
15:1Now
in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat began Abijam to reign
over Judah. 15:2Three years reigned
he in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom. 15:3He walked in all the sins of his father,
which he had done before him; and his heart was not perfect with Yahweh his
God, as the heart of David his father. 15:4Nevertheless
for David’s sake did Yahweh his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his
son after him, and to establish Jerusalem; 15:5because
David did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, and didn’t turn aside
from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except only in
the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
David's Evil Sons Had No Claim
Over Yahweh's Promise To David
2 Kings 8:16-19 reads,
8:16In
the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then
king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign. 8:17Thirty-two years old was he when he began
to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 8:18He walked in the way of the kings of Israel,
as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab as wife; and he
did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh. 8:19However
Yahweh would not destroy Judah, for David his servant’s sake, as he promised
him to give to him a lamp for his children always.
Isn't it the case from Yahweh's words to David that his promise to establish the kingdom throne of David's son who would build Yahweh a house was conditional on David's sons walking faithfully in Yahweh's way? Seeing that David's sons forsook Yahweh's way, isn't it the case that they had no claim over that promise?
Yahweh Cast Out Israel Out Of
His Sight
2 Kings 17:1-23 reads,
17:1In
the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in
Samaria over Israel, and reigned nine years. 17:2He
did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, yet not as the kings of Israel
who were before him. 17:3Against him
came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and brought
him tribute. 17:4The king of Assyria
found conspiracy in Hoshea; for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and
offered no tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year:
therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison.
17:5Then
the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria,
and besieged it three years. 17:6In
the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel
away to Assyria, and placed them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of
Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.
17:7It
was so, because the children of Israel had sinned against Yahweh their God, who
brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of
Egypt, and had feared other gods, 17:8and
walked in the statutes of the nations, whom Yahweh cast out from before the
children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they made. 17:9The children of Israel did secretly things
that were not right against Yahweh their God: and they built them high places
in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city; 17:10and they set them up pillars and Asherim
on every high hill, and under every green tree; 17:11and
there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the nations whom Yahweh
carried away before them; and they worked wicked things to provoke Yahweh to
anger; 17:12and they served idols,
whereof Yahweh had said to them, You shall not do this thing. 17:13Yet Yahweh testified to Israel, and to
Judah, by every prophet, and every seer, saying, Turn you from your evil ways,
and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I
commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. 17:14Notwithstanding, they would not hear, but
hardened their neck, like the neck of their fathers, who didn’t believe in
Yahweh their God. 17:15They rejected
his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies
which he testified to them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went
after the nations that were round about them, concerning whom Yahweh had
charged those who they should not do like them. 17:16They
forsook all the commandments of Yahweh their God, and made them molten images,
even two calves, and made an Asherah, and worshiped all the host of the sky,
and served Baal. 17:17They caused
their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination
and enchantments, and sold themselves to do that which was evil in the sight of
Yahweh, to provoke him to anger.
17:18Therefore
Yahweh was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was
none left but the tribe of Judah only. 17:19Also
Judah didn’t keep the commandments of Yahweh their God, but walked in the
statutes of Israel which they made. 17:20Yahweh
rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into
the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight. 17:21For he tore Israel from the house of
David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drove Israel
from following Yahweh, and made them sin a great sin. 17:22The children of Israel walked in all the
sins of Jeroboam which he did; they didn’t depart from them; 17:23until Yahweh removed Israel out of his
sight, as he spoke by all his servants the prophets. So Israel was
carried away out of their own land to Assyria to this day.
Yahweh Defended Jerusalem For
A Time For His Own Sake
2 Kings 19:32-36 reads,
19:32Therefore
thus says Yahweh concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come to this
city, nor shoot an arrow there, neither shall he come before it with shield,
nor cast up a mound against it. 19:33By
the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and he shall not come to
this city, says Yahweh. 19:34For I
will defend this city to save it, for my own sake, and for my servant David’s
sake. 19:35It happened that
night, that the angel of Yahweh went forth, and struck in the camp of the
Assyrians one hundred eighty-five thousand: and when men arose early in the
morning, behold, these were all dead bodies. 19:36So
Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and lived at
Nineveh.
Yahweh Prophesied To Cast
Judah Out Of His Sight
2 Kings 21:1-18 reads,
21:1Manasseh
was twelve years old when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty-five years in
Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Hephzibah. 21:2He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, after
the abominations of the nations whom Yahweh cast out before the children of
Israel. 21:3For he built again
the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up
altars for Baal, and made an Asherah, as did Ahab king of Israel, and worshiped
all the host of the sky, and served them. 21:4He
built altars in the house of Yahweh, whereof Yahweh said, In Jerusalem will I
put my name. 21:5He built altars for
all the host of the sky in the two courts of the house of Yahweh. 21:6He made his son to pass through the fire,
and practiced sorcery, and used enchantments, and dealt with those who had
familiar spirits, and with wizards: he worked much evil in the sight of Yahweh,
to provoke him to anger. 21:7He
set the engraved image of Asherah, that he had made, in the house of which
Yahweh said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in
Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, will I put my
name forever; 21:8neither will I
cause the feet of Israel to wander any more out of the land which I gave their
fathers, if only they will observe to do according to all that I have
commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded
them. 21:9But they didn’t
listen: and Manasseh seduced them to do that which is evil more than did the
nations whom Yahweh destroyed before the children of Israel.
21:10Yahweh
spoke by his servants the prophets, saying, 21:11Because
Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations, and has done wickedly above
all that the Amorites did, who were before him, and has made Judah also to sin
with his idols; 21:12therefore thus
says Yahweh, the God of Israel, Behold, I bring such evil on Jerusalem and
Judah, that whoever hears of it, both his ears shall tingle. 21:13I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria,
and the plummet of the house of Ahab; and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipes
a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. 21:14I
will cast off the remnant of my inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of
their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies; 21:15because they have done that which is evil
in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came
forth out of Egypt, even to this day.
21:16Moreover
Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, until he had filled Jerusalem from one
end to another; besides his sin with which he made Judah to sin, in doing that
which was evil in the sight of Yahweh. 21:17Now
the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he
sinned, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of
Judah? 21:18Manasseh slept with his
fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza:
and Amon his son reigned in his place.
Preservation Of Israel In
Their Land Conditioned On Obedience To Yahweh
Doesn't 21:7-8 show clearly that Yahweh's promise to preserve his people on their land was CONDITIONED on their faithfully serving and following after him? Doesn't this imply that if they forsook him they placed themselves at risk of being ejected out of their own land, even from Jerusalem?
Yahweh Prophesied That His
Grace Over Jerusalem And Judah Would End
Doesn’t Yahweh make clear in 21:12-15 that he wasn't going to spare Jerusalem and Judah on account of their abominations? Hadn't Yahweh already spared Jerusalem and Judah a number of times for his own sake and for his servant David's sake? But didn't Yahweh make clear here that if the people continued to sin grievously against him then his gracious salvation of both Judah and Jerusalem would cease, and he would eject them even as he ejected the nations before them who committed like abominations before him?
Jerusalem And Judah Abused
Yahweh's Grace
Isn't it therefore seen by this that when Yahweh saved Judah and Jerusalem, for his sake and for his servant David's sake, he did so graciously? Isn't it clear that Judah and Jerusalem had no right to their repeated salvation? Isn't it clear that Judah and Jerusalem abused Yahweh's grace, in continuing to sin, thinking that Yahweh would indefinitely extend his grace over them, for Yahweh and David's sake? Weren't they mistaken in this, forgetting Yahweh's clear words to them that if they forsook him they would be ejected from their own land?
Yahweh Prophesied The Cessation
Of The Sons Of David Ruling Over The Remnant Of Israel
Didn't Yahweh, in this prophecy, speak of the end of the sons of David ruling over Israel, even over Judah? Did the lamp of David cease to shine over Israel on account of the sins of the children of David and of those of Judah and Israel?
Yahweh's Word To David Still
Awaiting Fulfilment
Doesn't this show that Yahweh's promise to establish a son of David as king forever in Israel was to be fulfilled by another son of David who would build Yahweh another house? Isn't it therefore clear that Solomon is not that son of David, and that Yahweh did not establish Solomon's kingdom forever in Israel?
Yahweh's Vision To David By
Nathan
1 Chronicles 17:1-15 reads,
17:1It
happened, when David lived in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet,
Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of Yahweh
dwells under curtains. 17:2Nathan
said to David, Do all that is in your heart; for God is with you. 17:3It happened the same night, that the word
of God came to Nathan, saying, 17:4Go
and tell David my servant, Thus says Yahweh, You shall not build me a house to
dwell in: 17:5for I have not lived
in a house since the day that I brought up Israel, to this day, but have gone
from tent to tent, and from one tent to another. 17:6In
all places in which I have walked with all Israel, spoke I a word with any of
the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people, saying, Why
have you not built me a house of cedar? 17:7Now
therefore thus shall you tell my servant David, Thus says Yahweh of Hosts, I
took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, that you should be
prince over my people Israel: 17:8and
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. 17:9I will
appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell
in their own place, and be moved no more; neither shall the children of
wickedness waste them any more, as at the first, 17:10and
as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel; and I will
subdue all your enemies. Moreover I tell you that Yahweh will build you a house.
17:11It shall happen, when your days
are fulfilled that you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up
your seed after you, who shall be of your sons; and I will establish his
kingdom. 17:12He shall build me a
house, and I will establish his throne forever. 17:13I
will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my
lovingkindness away from him, as I took it from him that was before you; 17:14but I will settle him in my house and in
my kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever. 17:15According to all these words, and
according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak to David.
The Messianic Solomon Is
Yahweh's Son
1 Chronicles 22:1-16 reads,
22:1Then
David said, This is the house of Yahweh God, and this is the altar of
burnt-offering for Israel. 22:2David
commanded to gather together the sojourners who were in the land of Israel; and
he set masons to hew worked stones to build the house of God. 22:3David prepared iron in abundance for the
nails for the doors of the gates, and for the couplings; and brass in abundance
without weight; 22:4and cedar trees
without number: for the Sidonians and they of Tyre brought cedar trees in
abundance to David. 22:5David said,
Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be built for
Yahweh must be exceeding magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all
countries: I will therefore make preparation for it. So David prepared
abundantly before his death.
22:6Then
he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build a house for Yahweh, the
God of Israel. 22:7David said to
Solomon his son, As for me, it was in my heart to build a house to the name of
Yahweh my God. 22:8But the word of
Yahweh came to me, saying, You have shed blood abundantly, and have made great
wars: you shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed much blood
on the earth in my sight. 22:9Behold,
a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him
rest from all his enemies round about; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will
give peace and quietness to Israel in his days: 22:10he
shall build a house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his
father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.
22:11Now, my son, Yahweh be with
you; and prosper you, and build the house of Yahweh your God, as he has spoken
concerning you. 22:12Only Yahweh
give you discretion and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel;
that so you may keep the law of Yahweh your God. 22:13Then
shall you prosper, if you observe to do the statutes and the ordinances which
Yahweh charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage;
don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed. 22:14Now,
behold, in my affliction I have prepared for the house of Yahweh one hundred
thousand talents of gold, and one thousand thousand talents of silver, and of
brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone
have I prepared; and you may add thereto. 22:15Moreover
there are workmen with you in abundance, cutters and workers of stone and
timber, and all men who are skillful in every manner of work: 22:16of the gold, the silver, and the brass,
and the iron, there is no number. Arise and be doing, and Yahweh be with you.
Isn't it clear from 22:9-10 that the son of David to build a house for Yahweh's name and whose kingdom throne over Israel Yahweh will establish forever will ALSO be Yahweh's son? Isn't he therefore rightfully called son of Yahweh?
David Understood That Yahweh's
Promise To Him Was Conditional
1 Chronicles 28:1-10 reads,
28:1David
assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the
captains of the companies who served the king by course, and the captains of
thousands, and the captains of hundreds, and the rulers over all the substance
and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officers, and the mighty
men, even all the mighty men of valor, to Jerusalem. 28:2Then David the king stood up on his feet,
and said, Hear me, my brothers, and my people: as for me, it was in my heart to
build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, and for the
footstool of our God; and I had made ready for the building. 28:3But God said to me, You shall not build a
house for my name, because you are a man of war, and have shed blood. 28:4However Yahweh, the God of Israel, chose me
out of all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever: for he has
chosen Judah to be prince; and in the house of Judah, the house of my father;
and among the sons of my father he took pleasure in me to make me king over all
Israel; 28:5Of all my sons (for
Yahweh has given me many sons), he has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the
throne of the kingdom of Yahweh over Israel. 28:6He
said to me, Solomon your son, he shall build my house and my courts; for I have
chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. 28:7I will establish his kingdom forever, if he be
constant to do my commandments and my ordinances, as at this day. 28:8Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel,
the assembly of Yahweh, and in the audience of our God, observe and seek out
all the commandments of Yahweh your God; that you may possess this good land,
and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever. 28:9You, Solomon my son, know you the God of
your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for
Yahweh searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the
thoughts: if you seek him, he will be found of you; but if you forsake him,
he will cast you off forever. 28:10Take
heed now; for Yahweh has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary: be
strong, and do it.
Doesn't 28:7 make clear that David understood that Yahweh's promise to establish forever the son of David building Yahweh's house was conditional on that son doing Yahweh's commandments and ordinances? Isn't it therefore the case that the only manner Solomon's kingdom would have been established forever was if he had abided by Yahweh's commandments and ordinances?
Yahweh Cast Off Forever
Solomon The Son Of David
Didn't David also make clear in 28:9 that if that son of David forsook Yahweh, Yahweh would indeed cast off forever that son, thereby not establishing his kingdom at all in Israel?
Seeing that Solomon forsook Yahweh, isn't it clearly the case that Yahweh forsook Solomon off forever? Isn't it the case that Yahweh did not establish Solomon's kingdom over Israel forever? Isn't it therefore the case that another son of David was therefore to arise and build Yahweh's house, and have his kingdom over Israel established forever by Yahweh?
Who is this other son of David, who was also to be a son of Yahweh?
Yahweh Cast Off Solomon's
Kingdom And The People Of Israel
2 Chronicles 7:12-22 reads,
7:12Yahweh
appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him, I have heard your prayer, and
have chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice. 7:13If I shut up the sky so that there is no
rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence
among my people; 7:14if my people,
who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face,
and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive
their sin, and will heal their land. 7:15Now
my eyes shall be open, and my ears attentive, to the prayer that is made in
this place. 7:16For now have I
chosen and made this house holy, that my name may be there forever; and my eyes
and my heart shall be there perpetually.
7:17As
for you, if you will walk before me as David your father walked, and do
according to all that I have commanded you, and will keep my statutes and my
ordinances; 7:18then I will
establish the throne of your kingdom, according as I covenanted with David your
father, saying, There shall not fail you a man to be ruler in Israel. 7:19But if you turn away, and forsake my
statutes and my commandments which I have set before you, and shall go and
serve other gods, and worship them; 7:20then
will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and
this house, which I have made holy for my name, will I cast out of my sight,
and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 7:21This house, which is so high, everyone who
passes by it shall be astonished, and shall say, Why has Yahweh done thus to
this land, and to this house? 7:22They
shall answer, Because they forsook Yahweh, the God of their fathers, who
brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and
worshiped them, and served them: therefore has he brought all this evil on
them.
Didn't Yahweh eventually fulfil his word spoken to Solomon? Didn't Yahweh eventually pluck up Israel from the land he gave them, and cast out of his sight the house he had made holy for his name, the house Solomon built?
Isn't it clear that Yahweh did not establish forever Solomon's kingdom, seeing he forsook Yahweh?
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