The Royal Messiah #3 – A Father-Son Relationship
In the previous article in this little series, we looked at the meaning of “this day have I begotten thee” from Psalm 2. David Kimhi, in his commentary, said in a nutshell that if God did beget someone, He would have to beget God. On the one hand, we saw that God did exactly that, for Jesus was God in human flesh (John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-7). On the other hand, Acts 13:33 shows that the begettal poetically promised in Psalm 2:7 was not the begetting of a baby. This was speaking of Jesus being raised from the dead. Now, we turn our attention to the second of three reasons that this particular commentator does not believe Psalm 2 is Messianic. By looking at the psalm in this way, it may help to make the message of this psalm more meaningful.
Who is God’s son? This second argument has to do with the relationship between God the Father and God the Son. Kimhi says, “And further say to them, “Has the God whom you describe as “the Father” said to His Son, Ask of Me and I will give the nations for thine inheritance? How should the Son ask from the Father? Is he not God like Him” (19)? He further believed that this “son” only had reference to the children of Israel (Exodus 4:22). This, though, is a misunderstanding of the special relationship that exists in the Godhead. While the word “son” does apply to mankind, it also has divine meaning.
The New Testament tells us that David wrote this psalm (Acts 4:25). The next time we read the words “Thou art my Son” is at the baptism and then at the transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 3:17; Matthew 17:5). To describe the love expressed and demonstrated between God the Father and God the Son is certainly beyond words. In the Old Testament, it is illustrated in one way by the love displayed between Abraham and his son Isaac in that incredible scene in the land of Moriah (Genesis 22:1-2). In the New Testament, it was wonderfully displayed at Calvary (1 John 4:9; John 10:17; John 3:16). We learn how to love from the love displayed in that Father/Son relationship in the Godhead (1 John 4:10-11). Jesus the Son and His Father are both equally God; yet, they serve in different roles and functions. Just like man and woman are both human, however, they are different and have different responsibilities. Isn’t it truly a blessing though that God had a Son and that He would love Him so? But is it not even more of a blessing that God would have His beloved Son die on our behalf in demonstration of His love toward us (Romans 5:6-8)?
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Authors, Doctrine, Michael Carter
on July 18th, 2008
