Last night we read Psalm 72 and Matthew 2:1-9. The first issue out-of-the-box question was whether Psalm 72 was talking about Solomon or Jesus. It was great to explain to the kids how our conviction that the Bible is the Word of God kicks in at this point. What makes the Bible unique is that it has not only an author but an Author. This is as true for the Psalms as for any of the other biblical books. Consider Peter's words just after Jesus had ascended:
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, “Brothers and sisters,the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.” “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:
“May his place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in it,"
and,
“May another take his place of leadership." Acts 1:15-17, 20
So for the divine Author (God) it is not an "either-or" but a "both-and." Psalm 72 was most certainly a prayer for Solomon. However, it becomes clear after the birth of Christ that many of the individuals of the Old Testaments--Adam, Moses, Joshua, David--were but pre-figures of the New Adam, the Leader, the Savior, the King. So Psalm 72 also tells us things about Jesus as King as well.
But Solomon and David are not the only kings remembered in our house on January 8th . . .
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