24 Aug
24Aug

God Leaves the Light On!

Motel 6 has run an advertisement on the radio about their wonderful services.  At the conclusion of the advertisement the man says, “We’ll leave the light on for you!”

But, that saying is not new.  As I was studying 1 and 2 Kings, it became apparent that God was not going to let the light be extinguished.  What do I mean? 

Consider the following verses.

1 Kings 11:32, 36 – “But he (Rehoboam) shall have one tribe for my servant David’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel…And unto his son (Rehoboam) will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light always before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen to put my name there.”  (Emphasis mine)

God was committed to Judah and Benjamin.  He could have destroyed them, but because he made an unconditional promise to David He would not destroy them.  He would keep the light on.

2 Samuel 7:10 – 16 – These verses describe God’s commitment to establish the throne of David forever.  We read:

            10Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them anymore, as beforetime,
11And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
12And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
13He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom forever.
14I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:

15But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
16And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established forever.  (Emphasis mine)

This promise is unconditional.  It was made by God to David.  In essence he said that He would keep the light on for him.

1 Kings 15:4 – “Nevertheless for David’s sake did the Lord his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem.”

 

Why did God do it for David’s sake?  Verse 5 tells us David did right in the eyes of the Lord, and turned not aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.  Verse 4 mentions that God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem.  He left the light on!

2 Kings 8:19 – “Yet the Lord would not destroy Judah for David his servant’s sake, as he promised him to give him always a light, and to his children.”

One rule about Bible study is what is repeated once is important.  But here it is a second time!  How important is this?

2 Chronicles 21:7 – “Howbeit the Lord would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons forever.”

This promise is carried on in 1 and 2 Chronicles, as well.  What can we make of it?

First, God keeps His promises to us.  We can count on God to keep His promises to us.

Secondly, God has a plan for Israel.  We may not see it now, but God has said that because of David He would establish his kingdom forever.

Psalms 132:17 – 18 – “There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.  His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.”

God definitely says that He will leave the light on!

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