The title words reflect the thoughts of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge recently as they welcomed their son George Alexander Louie Mountbatten-Windsor into the world on July 22, 2013.
The whole world sat on pins and needles awaiting the birth of the royal child. Media personnel camped out weeks in advance at the hospital where the birth was to take place. Multitudes lined the streets on the day after the birth just to get a glimpse of the child. The story of the birth of the future king trumped all other news stories around the world for days.
Little George will be the third in line to assume the throne of England after his father Prince William and William’s father Prince Phillip. When family members ascend to the throne the form of government is known as a monarchy.
The title words are of course found in the Old Testament book of Isaiah written approximately 2,700 years ago.
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder…Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.” Isaiah 9:6-7
The Hebrew base for kingdom has several synonyms including sovereignty, royal rule, dominion, and reign. The term throne in both Old and New Testaments is an emblem of royal authority over a government or empire.
Several hundred years prior to Isaiah’s prophecy, God had spoken to King David via the Prophet Nathan regarding David’s descendants.
“When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom…And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” 2 Samuel 7:12, 15
The terms ‘house’ and ‘kingdom’ indicate that the future kingdom would be ruled by one from David’s family, i.e. his seed. Thus it is noted that the future form of government referenced in the Isaiah prophecy would be a monarchy.
David’s seed was initially referenced early in the Book of Genesis.
After Satan deceived the woman in the Garden of Eden, God pronounced a curse on Satan that centered on his future conflict with the ‘Seed’ of the woman.
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed. He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:15
Approximately 700 years after the Isaiah prophecy, the Angel Gabriel announced to the virgin lass named Mary that she would conceive and bear a boy child.
“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:31-33
As the time approached for Mary to give birth, she and her betrothed husband Joseph traveled from their home in Nazareth of Galilee to Bethlehem of Judea to be registered for a census as required by Roman law.
“Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.” Luke 2:4-5
Recall that King David was born in Bethlehem nearly 1,000 years earlier. Note also that Joseph, Mary’s betrothed was of the lineage of David to fulfill the prophecy given to David when he was king.
While in Bethlehem for the census registration Mary gave birth. There was no fanfare as there was with Prince George born recently in England. There was no modern hospital nor were people lining the streets to get a glimpse of the future monarch.
To be completed next week.