Messianism or Messianic Age
The revelation communicated to David by Nathan must be regarded as one of the theological turning-points of the Old Covenant. In addition the Christian can there perceive an important key to the New Covenant.
David had just been assured that his dynasty was to be perpetuated on the throne of Yerusalem to the end of time: the whole line of his descendants would remain under YAHWEH's protection and he would lead them, uphold them and advise them as his own sons. YAHWEH's plan had appeared in its clarity; by this uninterrupted succession of princes, called to follow the Law, YAHWEH would finally establish his own kingdom on this earth.
This is what Scriptural scholars term 'Royal Messianism'. Before we examine it we must look at the methods by which David made ready to follow the desires of the Most High.
Tehillim 110 ('the kohenhood of the MessiYah'), in its primitive form at least, explains how David regarded the earthly kingship and the spiritual kohenhood imparted to him by YAHWEH:
YAHWEH's oracle to YOU, my ALMIGHTY...
'I will make YOUR enemies a footstall for YOU'. 12
YAHWEH
is at YOUR right hand.
When HE grows angry HE shatters kings,
HE gives the nations their
deserts,
smashing their skulls,
HE heaps the wide world with corpses. 13
Drinking from the stream as HE goes,
HE can hold his head high in
victory.
We have here, then, a series of invocations which the Christian may use for the theme of his meditation.
But the author was speaking at the material level. According to this Tehillim, David intended to follow the directions given him by Nathan to the letter: to ensure that the young kingdom was strong. Zion had to triumph over its enemies. It meant more wars, more massacres, more battles, more bloodshed. Indeed, at this still very primitive period David could hardly have understood Messianism in any other way.
12 Several Egyptian thrones show, on the step placed at the base of the royal seat, forms of foreigners, either painted or drawn, as symbolic representations of vanquished peoples. Thus the sovereign's enemies become his footstool.
13 A characteristically oriental image, corresponding to horrible scenes represented on the bas-reliefs of the Assyrians, past masters in war. For the historian this provides confirmation of David's bloodthirsty and warlike character. For the Christian reader of the Tehillims a spiritual interpretation is necessary: this passage can be understood as divine reprobation of sin.
The Messianic Expectation
This, for Yisrael, meant the great and dynamic hope of the reign of YAHWEH on earth. It would be established by one of the house of David (called the MessiYah, the anointed or consecrated one; at a later date he would be regarded as the Savior who was to come). All through its turbulent history Yisrael looked forward to this new age which was to be marked by the restoration of the earthly kingdom of the Hebrews. The defects of successive kings, the historical internal conflicts did not matter. As misfortune after misfortune fell upon the Chosen People, they became all the more attached to the idea of the coming of another David.
Prophets and psalmists, in forms that were constantly developing, gave expression to the same hope; one day Yisrael would be restored, both spiritually and materially, its oppressors would be destroyed and YAHWEH's justice would reign on earth. YAHWEH would be victorious, finally, in Zion.
Theology is not our main concern here. But the historian of religions may perhaps be allowed to state in a few words the fundamental difference that there appears to be between Hebrew and Christian Messianism. Whereas the Yisraelite regarded David as prefiguring the MessiYah, who is still awaited even now, the New Covenant asserts clearly that YAHSHUA of Nazareth accomplished Nathan's prophecy to the full. When on Palm Sunday the people of Yerusalem acclaimed YAHSHUA (born at Bethlehem, the city of David) as 'son of David' they acknowledged in this way his title as MessiYah. For the Christian, YAHSHUA, 'the son of David' is also 'the Son of YAHWEH'. He too received a crown (the crown of thorns) at Yerusalem. When Pilate asked whether, as it was rumored, he was a king, YAHSHUA answered, 'It is you who say it'. He was a king, not of a small nation but of the universal Yerusalem, the symbol of Christianity.
Above the heavens is your majesty chanted by the mouths of children, babes in arms... I look up at your heavens, made by your fingers, at the moon and stars you set in place- ah, what is man... the son of man that you should care for him. . YAHWEH, our Sovereign Ruler, how great your name throughout the earth!
Tehillim 8
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