The family tree of the ruler of the future kingdom was identified shortly after the location of the kingdom was revealed. It began with Abraham, then his son Isaac, and then Isaac’s son Jacob.
Shortly before Jacob died in Egypt, he called his sons together.
“And Jacob called his sons and said, ‘Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days.’” Genesis 49:1
Then he proceeded to reveal the future of each of his sons. Of particular interest were his words concerning his son Judah.
“Judah, your brothers will praise you…The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.” Genesis 49:8, 10
Approximately five centuries after Jacob died, the future king from the family of his son Judah, was revealed in more detail by the prophet Isaiah.
“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse…” Isaiah 11:1
Jesse was the offspring of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Subsequently, God provided more details to the prophet Jeremiah.
“‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the LORD, ‘that I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah: In those days…I will cause to grow up to David a Branch of righteousness; He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth…’ For thus says the LORD: ‘David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel.’” Jeremiah 33:14-15, 17
While David was king over Israel, God spoke to him through the prophet Nathan.
“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…and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” 2 Samuel 7:12-13
Isaiah was also one of the prophets chosen to announce the advent of the future king.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulder…He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom…from that time on and forever.” Isaiah 9:6-7
Isaiah confirmed the words spoken to David centuries prior. Isaiah further announced that the future king would be the head of government, and that his kingdom would never end.
Now let’s fast forward seven centuries to the beginning of the Gospels.
The context is the message Gabriel brought to the young woman named Mary.
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The LORD God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Luke 1:30-31
All of the quoted prophecies are being fulfilled in Jesus. He is the Son of God, the offspring of David, and He will rule over the house of Jacob forever.
The genealogy of Jesus confirms His family tree.
“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah. Judah begot Perez, and Perez…begot Boaz, Boaz begot Obed, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king.” Matthew 1:1-3, 5-6
And inasmuch as we began this column in Genesis, it is only fitting that we end this section with Jesus’ own words from the final Book of the Bible.
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
Revelation 22:16
As deity, Jesus was from the foundation of the world; hence He is the ancestor, or root, of David. As the Seed of the woman, He is also the offspring of David. He is both.