The Advent Of The Saviour-king

by J. DORRICOTT | Category: Thou Art The King Of Israel. | Mar 1936

We have seen from Old Testament scriptures, Israel's King foretold, and the "sign" (Isaiah 7. 14) was the Virgin's miraculous conception (by the power of the Holy Spirit- Matthew 1. 20; Luke 1. 35) of Him whose name was to be "Immanuel."

This is confirmed in the opening page of New Testament Scripture- "Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet." See Matthew 1. 21-23.

The present writer entertains no doubt that both Joseph and Mary were of the royal tribe of Judah, and of the house and family of David. The genealogy of Joseph is seen in Matthew 1. (compare Luke 1. 27; 2. 4). That of Mary (so it has been suggested) in Luke 3. From these scriptures we know that our Lord-the Messiah of Israel, was of the lineage of David through Nathan, and (in the direct line) through Solomon. Therefore we notice the blessed connecting link with the prophetic word in the message that came to Marx' by Gabriel

"He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end."

Luke 1. 32.

Here, in the opening pages of the New Testament is seen Divine testimony to the Kingship of the Messiah and His earthly kingdom in relation to Israel, and from Luke 2. 11, we see that the Anointed Lord was to be their Saviour.

>From the details that are given of the Annunciation, and the wondrous birth >of the Saviour-King, we see with what delight the Spirit loves to give us >such minute particulars. With what awe and wonder Heaven looked on as they >beheld Him whose Name was Immanuel, born in the stable at the Inn in >Beth-lehem. But the word through the prophet must be fulfilled- "But thou, >Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, >out of thee shall One

come forth UNTO ME that is to be RULER in ISRAEL" Micah 5. 2.

Heaven could not be silent as the Eternal One stooped from the Heavenly Throne to the manger to fulfil the promises and purposes of God. With wondering joy the angel flew to carry the message of His birth to the shepherds in the field outside Bethlehem-a message of God's good will to men, with its first application to Israel.

"Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people (" the people"). For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord .... And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace,

Good will towards men."

Luke 2. 10, 11, 13, 14, A.V.

But how did Israel receive their Saviour, who was also their King? True, the shepherds made known this wondrous revelation to others, and they returned glorifying God. There were also individuals who looked for the redemption of Israel and spake to others who waited for Him. But the mass of Israel were cold and indifferent alike to the prophetic word, to these revelations, and the actual presence of the promised One. We see, however, that God would have the truth of the born King of Israel declared, even if He, in His sovereignty, went outside His own people to the Gentiles to accomplish His purpose ; thus certain great ones of the East are used to declare the birth of the King.

About the time of His birth, a unique luminary in the heavens was seen in

the East, a luminary which the Magi called "His star." The words of Numbers 24. 17, may have been known to them, but this much is evident, that "His star" was the Divine sign to them. The long promised King of the Jews was born, therefore preparation was made to do Him homage. They were going to a King and they must take something worthy of His Royal Person. They prepare their gifts; gold, frankincense and myrrh. The journey is long and tedious; travelling is slow, and much time elapses ere they reach the metropolis of Immanuel's Land-Jerusalem, for they know that this is "the city of the great King." The Star was seen by them in the East. but it did not accompany them to Jerusalem. Arriving at Herod's royal palace they made known the heavenly revelation and enquired- "WHERE IS HE THAT IS BORN KING OF THE JEWS? for we saw His star in the east, and are come to worship Him." Matthew 2. 2.

How is this message received ? Herod trembles on his throne, and all Jerusalem is moved. Herod fears a rival, but why all Jerusalem troubled? Is not this the One they should have welcomed, the promised King according to the prophetic word? What a contrast to heaven's joy and gladness at the time of His birth (some months previously at least)*. Troubled at the arrival of their King! What a lamentable condition is thus revealed! a condition which proved fatal to them, as we shall see. Herod calls together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, and enquires where the Christ should be born. They have a knowledge of the Scriptures evidently, for they turn readily to Micah 5. 2, and show from this where the Christ would be born-even the One who was to come forth to be the Governor of Israel. But with what heartlessness they can quote the Sacred Word to the jealous king! They know of the promised One, but they have no heart for him; they do not desire Him. What a solemn voice this has to us! but we will not stay to apply it. The Magi leave Herod's palace-doubtless intending to go to Bethlehem: but lo! the Star, "His star" which they had seen in the East (and which, as we understand, they had not seen since leaving) is now seen again, and seeing it they rejoice with exceeding joy. Again, what a contrast to His people Israel!

God knew the Magi needed "His star" to guide them now, for the scripture referred to (Micah 5. 2) told of the place of His birth, and was cited in answer to the enquiry, firstly of the Magi, and then of Herod. But since the Magi saw "His star" in the East they had taken a long journey, even to Jerusalem and meanwhile, we understand, Joseph and Mary had taken the young Child from Bethlehem to the Temple with their offering (this would be forty-one days from His birth. See Leviticus 12.). and from Jerusalem they return to the tome at Nazareth (compare Matthew 2. 10, 11, with Luke 2. 21-39). The "Star" guides the Magi to the Nazareth home (so we understand) where they, unmindful of the humble surroundings, pour forth their gifts; gold, frankincense and myrrh, as was befitting, for they knew they were coming to a King-aye, and they had come to "Worship Him." We desire again to emphasise the fact, that, evidently it was the

determinate will of God, to have the truth told concerning His Son's royalty (answering to the purple of the Veil). Also we see in the offering and worship of the Magi a miniature picture of the coming glorious time when the King shall come in power and great glory. Then- "The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts."

May we not also see, in the gifts offered by the Magi, God's providence and care for Joseph and Mary and the Child Jesus?' For Herod, carefully calculating the time when "His star appeared to the wise men in the east at the birth of the King, and the time of their arrival at Jerusalem, spread his net wide' enough by embracing all the infants in his borders under two' years of age. Therefore, when at the home in Nazareth, the Angelic message came to Joseph and Mary to flee into Egypt with the young Child, God, from the gifts of the Magi, was careful to make full provision for their journey and sustenance' while in Egypt-at least, so we suggest.

The details 'given of the birth of Christ and subsequent events, set the Divine seal to the fact that He, whose name was called Immanuel, was Israel's born King.

THE PRESENTATION OF THE MESSIAH. AND KINGDOM To ISRAEL.

It is to the Gospel by Matthew we must turn chiefly for this, though we shall endeavour to be very brief. As One of high degree, the Lord has His forerunner to go before His face and to make ready His way. Therefore, John has a message of repentance to proclaim to Israel as seen in the words, "Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand ... make ye ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight."

*It should be noted that Matthew 2. 1. should be understood in the past tense-" Jesus having been born." See Young's rendering.

J. DORRICOTT | Mar 1936
Thou Art The King Of Israel.