The Future Davidic Rule as Divine Mediator
ABSTRACT: THE FUTURE DAVIDIC RULER
by Pilchan Leepl5@st-andrews.ac.uk
[Pilchan Lee is a doctoral student at the University of St. Andrews.--JRD]
This paper investigates what kind of type of divine mediator a future Davidic figure (added by J. Davila to Hurtado's three basic types), represents, and by what kind of mediation he acts. The expectation for the future Davidic figure is mostly rooted in 2 Sam. 7:11-17. In the biblical passages such as Gen. 49:10 and Num. 24:15-19, Amos 9:11, Isa. 11, Jer 23:5-6; 33:17-22 and Ezek. 34:23-24, the future Davidic Messiah is expected, and categorized by the Future Ideal Figure type of divine mediator according to the Consummation Pattern.
This categorization of the future Davidic figure is confirmed in early Jewish literature such as 1 Enoch 48:10; 52:4, Psalms of Solomon 17, Dead Sea Scrolls (4252 5:1-7, 4QFlor 1:10-13, 4Q161 8-10:18-25, and 4Q285 5:1-6), 4 Ezra (7:28f.; 11:37-12:1; 12:31-34; 13:3-13; 13:25-52) and 2 Baruch (29-30, chs. 36-42 and chs. 72-74). The preceding sources consistently demonstrate the type of the divine mediator of the future Davidic figure as a Future Ideal Figure with the Consummation Pattern in that they describe the Davidic figure as acting in the future or eschatologically. Moreover, the future Davidic figure is characteristically superhuman in his action against the nations. In this respect, it would be more accurate that he is called a Future Ideal/Exalted Figure.
The above sources greatly contribute to the understanding of the origins of the worship of Jesus in the New Testament. Here only a few cases are addressed. Generally, the New Testament authors regard Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of the future Davidic Messiah. This is emphasized in the Matthean genealogy in Mt. 1, and the so-called infancy narrative in Mt. 2. In particular, in 1 Enoch, the Davidic Messiah is described as the one who authorizes the revelation of the secret things of heaven and the future things (52:1, 4). This function echoes that of Jesus in Rom. 16:25-26. Again, Jesus is the only one who can open the seal of the scroll which includes God's plan towards the world in Rev. 5 (cf. ch. 10:5-7). Moreover, the future Davidic Messiah is described as a divine warrior to save God's people and to destroy the enemies (nations) in each of the above sources. This image of a divine warrior is clearly portrayed in Rev. 2:26-27; 6:15; 11:15, 18; 12:5; 19:15 etc. The Davidic Messiah's standing on Zion against the nations in opposing him in 4 Ezra 13:35-36 (cf. 2 Baruch 72:2-6) reflects the Lamb's standing on Zion to announce the triumph in Rev. 14:1-2. In addition, John's references to 'the key of David' in 3:7, 'the Root of David' in Rev. 5:5 and 'the root and the descendant of David' in 22:16 clearly demonstrate 'the messianic conqueror of the nations'. Next, in 4 Ezra 12:32, two aspects of the origin of the Davidic Messiah (preexistence and Davidic descent) are reminiscent of two aspects of Jesus' status as Son of God according to the spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead (preexistence in Eph. 3:8-9), and the Davidic descent in Rome 1:3-4. Furthermore, the temporary messianic kingdom in 4 Ezra and 2 Baruch is echoed in 1 Cor.15:24-28. Finally, the image of the future Davidic Messiah who executes his judgment against the nations by means of the law from his mouth like fire in 4 Ezra 13:38 also parallels Jesus' rebuking demons by his authoritative words, and a centurion's request of Jesus in Mt. 8:8. In Rev. 19:13, Jesus' name is called 'the word of God' and in Rev. 19:15, 'From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations'.
(c) 1998
Reproduction beyond fair use only on permission of the author.