Our examination to this point indicates that the nations would receive blessings through Abraham, manifested in their worship of Yahweh, the extension of Yahweh’s salvation to them, and the eventual pursuit of God’s righteousness by these nations. These blessings were in complete contrast to that which the nations/Gentiles were experiencing during the time of the Psalmists and Prophets. This would be an unprecedented period of blessing which would see God become, not only the God of the physical seed of Abraham, but more importantly, the God of his Spiritual seed. We also touched briefly upon a Servant who would come to bring about God’s righteousness and now we will expand on the description and works of that promised Messiah. In this segment, we will look further at this Servants mission.
A King will bring the Blessing.
As we already saw, the One who would bring the blessings of the nations is also identified as a ruler or a king who will come to establish this blessing on their behalf. Even as far back as in the book of Genesis, there was an expectation relating to Him that begins to unravel.
The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
Until Shiloh comes,
And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples (nations). (Genesis 49:10)
When the Patriarch Jacob was at the end of his days, he left this revelation through a prophetic word regarding the future of his sons. This focusing not so much upon the sons themselves but their descendants. He shared with them what would befall the tribes in the days to come. Some received a shortened word while others obtained a much longer overview.
Beginning in v.8, Israel describes the worship of the tribe of Judah. Much like how Joseph was told in a dream that he’d be worshipped by his brothers (Genesis 37:1-10), it was predicted that Judah would receive the praise of his brothers, and his brothers would bow down to him. This is similar language to the blessing that was received by Israel from his father Isaac (Genesis 27:29). Anyone who blesses him will be blessed. Judah would also be a conqueror whose hand would be on the neck of his enemies. He would be a victor whose foes could not stand against Him.
In v.9, Jacob compares the sons of Judah to a lion’s whelp. He is mighty and fierce, one who men fear to rouse up. This is similar to what we read in Numbers 24:9-10, where Balaam speaks of the future of Israel and states that God would bring him out of Egypt, that he would consume his enemies, described as the nations, and that ‘He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him?’ Blessed is he who blesses you, And cursed is he who curses you.
By the time we reach v.10, we’re thrusted into an overview of his rule. The first promise is that the Scepter, the symbol of rulership, which is generally associated with Judah (Psalm 60:2; 108:8) would never leave his hand to be passed down to another. Again, we are brought to Numbers 24 and the Balaam prophecy which this time states that “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, (Number 24:17). His ruler’s staff would never be usurped and would remain between his feet. No one would ever have the might to conquer Him and take it away. The next expression, until Shiloh comes, while often translated this way, can be translated until he comes to Shiloh or until he comes to whom it belongs. The term “Shiloh” describes a place in the land of Canaan (Joshua 21:2) north of Bethel (Judges 21:19) in the region of Ephraim where the children of Israel assembled together (Joshua 16:6; 18:1,9) and where they cast lots before Yahweh to divide the land (Joshua 18:8, 10). It was where they assembled for war (Joshua 22:12) and where they held a yearly feast to Yahweh (Judges 21:19; 1 Samuel 1:3). It was a place where at one time dwelt the tabernacle (1 Samuel 1:9) and the ark of the covenant (1 Samuel 4:3-4). In latter times however, this is the place where God forsook His people for worshipping other gods (Psalm 78:59-60) and made the city a curse to all the nations of the earth (Jeremiah 26:6).
The main thrust of this passage is that the tribe of Judah would bring the obedience of faith of the peoples. Once again, the term peoples is a common word that can be defined as nations or ethnic tribes. The term obedience seems to derive from the idea of to observe some kind of law or teaching. The peoples of the foreign nations will obey Him and bring Him tribute. Tribute from foreign nations expresses their submission to the Judean king[1]:
New Testament Fulfillment
While there are a few interpretations of the Shiloh text, all agree that a king descended from Judah will come to rule over the nations. Christian commentators all agree that this is a prophecy of the coming Messiah whom they identify as Jesus Christ. But when and how would this obedience of the nations happen? When would His Scepter take effect and when would He come to Shiloh? When would the obedience of the peoples take place and what would that look like?
The dynamic of the Lordship of David’s successor and the obedience of the nations is well documented in the New Testament. One of the primary portions addressing this in the New Testament is found in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). The text tells us that Jesus has all authority in both heaven and on earth. He sends His disciples on a mission to baptize and teach the nations. Why the nations? Because, He had all authority over them. He was the conquering King of Yahweh and it was time for His representatives to be empowered to go get them on His behalf.
Paul & The Shiloh Prophecy
The ministry of the apostle Paul was primarily to the Gentiles or nations. His background in Judaism leads us to believe that he had a good understanding of the Shiloh prophecy. During his own ministry, he believed that he was experiencing the fulfillment of that promise. He makes the following statement in his letter to the churches in Rome:
who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; (Romans 1:4-6)
Obedience of faith in Romans 1 is probably speaking of the submission in responding to the gospel in faith. It is contrasting those who are righteous and saved with those who are the disobedient godless sinners (1 Peter 4:17-18). The expression “all the Gentiles” is equivalent to “all the nations”. The recipient of his letter, 1st century Roman believers, were “among whom you are also the called of Jesus Christ” (v.6). As he writes to these Christians, he explains that the thrust of his ministry is a pursuit to call all the nations to the obedience of faith. Surely we can’t ignore the parallel between his ministry and the Shiloh prophecy.
Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. 18 For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, (Romans 15:17-18)
This text in Romans 15 is part of a broader argument from vs. 17-19. Paul boasts about his ministry by defining it as the things that Christ has accomplished through me. The King who would bring the obedience of the nations as promised in Genesis, would do so through His people, including this apostle, by the empowering of His Spirit. Paul vaunts about these accomplishments in both word and deed. What Paul had in mind here was what we read in Genesis 49:10. This was the mission that the descendant of Judah would accomplish through His reign and by sending out His servants. The purpose is to bring the obedience of faith to the Gentiles who were formerly disobedience (11:30-32).
but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; (Romans 16:26)
The mystery of Jesus Christ, spoken of by the prophets, was manifested through the preaching of the gospel leading to the obedience of faith to all the nations. Paul wasn’t merely looking forward to the fulfillment of this prophecy in some future millennium thousands of years in the future, he was in fact a participant in it!
The promise of the Davidic King
Although the Torah contains references to a future King arising from the tribe of Judah, a more detailed account of this lineage is provided upon the examination of the Books of the Kings. God promised to King David that through one of His descendants (obviously from the tribe of Judah since David was from that tribe), He would build his house and establish His kingdom forever.
The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you. When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”’” (2 Samuel 7:11b-16)
What we want to first establish is that these are promises that would not come directly to David but would be fulfilled in his descendant. The promise comes in the form of a covenant:
“I have made a covenant with My chosen;
I have sworn to David My servant,
I will establish your seed forever
And build up your throne to all generations.” (Psalm 89:3-4)
The partaker in this Covenant with God was King David himself and because it was made between him and God, it was considered an everlasting covenant (1 Chronicles 17:7-10; 2 Samuel 23:5; Psalm 89:34-36). While David had many descendants, and his lineage through the kings of Judah would last several generations, they only reigned until the Babylonian captivity. The throne of David’s descendants was cut off. However, this did not mark the conclusion of the promise, as the prophets anticipated a future restoration of that throne. They expected a descendant of David to once again take up his father’s reign! That final Davidic descendant would be none other than Jesus in whom the promises of this covenant would be fulfilled (Luke 1:31-33; Acts 2:29-31).
The promise to David was not only that his house would be built, but that a house for Yahweh was going to be erected (what David desired), and in return a throne or rule would be established forever. That descendant would see the construction of this house, was not only a son of David, but in return, he would be a son of God and treated like the Son of God. He would receive the lovingkindness of God forever and it will never be taken away. Solomon did fulfill the historical and physical promise of this covenant, even after David’s sin, since God kept His promise in giving David a son (1 Chronicles 22:7-10), and He established Solomon’s kingdom (1 Chronicles 29:23; 1 Kings 2:12, 45-46) which in return lead to Solomon building Yahweh His house (1 Kings 5:5; 8:18-20; 11:11-13).
King Identified as a Davidic Descendant
As we have already noted, the bursting forth of the blessings to the nations would come from a Servant King. He would be One who would bring forth the obedience of the Nations and in return identified as a future descendant of the great king David. Later, in the writings of the prophets, He is described by the prophet Isaiah as a child.
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
This passage introduces us to a child who would also be known as a Divine King who will undertake the rule of God’s kingdom on the earth. This child wasn’t just a young ruler or a new king but would be a long-awaited descendant of David. He would rise to the throne of His ancestor as the rightful ruler. This rule would come in the form of a kingdom that would bring peace, not by some sudden appearance, but peace, justice and righteousness through a kingdom that would increase to no end. The very purpose of this king was that He would establish justice through His Kingdom. That justice would happen from then on, so from the moment that He becomes king and sets up His kingdom, to forevermore. Much like our passage in Isaiah 42, He would do so with zeal. He will not tire in doing this until it has been fulfilled.
Another promise of this Davidic King from the pen of the prophet Isaiah is found in Isaiah chapter 11:
They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain,
For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
As the waters cover the sea.
Then in that day
The nations will resort to the root of Jesse,
Who will stand as a signal for the peoples;
And His resting place will be glorious. (Vs. 9-10)
Once again, we are confronted with the language of extensiveness, this time with the knowledge of the Lord extending throughout the earth. As the waters cover the sea, the earth will be filled with the knowledge of Him. Once again, the One who would bring about this widespread knowledge of God is the Davidic King, referred to in this passage as the root of Jesse.
The 2nd part of this passage talks about a day whereas He will gather again a remnant of His people.
Then it will happen on that day that the Lord
Will again recover the second time with His hand
The remnant of His people, who will remain,
From Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath,
And from the islands of the sea.
And He will lift up a standard for the nations
And assemble the banished ones of Israel,
And will gather the dispersed of Judah
From the four corners of the earth. (Isaiah 11:11-12)
There will be a call for their return from the nations of the earth. In this context, Isaiah is speaking of a time of the arrival from captivity of the Israelites whether in a geographical or spiritual sense. In v.12, we see that the standard of the nations will be lifted up meaning that there will be a great righteous standard that will arise for these nations. The knowledge of Yahweh and justice will eventually prevail within these nations.
The Promised Crowning of the Davidic King
Now that we’ve identified the lineage of the King who would bring the blessings of Abraham to the Nations, we need to pinpoint how and when that rule would begin and end and the scope of that reign. The prophet Daniel describes how this descendant of David would become king.
“I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14)
We have here a depiction of his coronation which is unlike any other enthronement. This ascension to the throne wouldn’t happen in some earthly pompous ceremony nor does it even happen in the great city of Jerusalem but it takes place in heaven. Daniel sees this King coming with the clouds of heaven, and His destination was up to the Ancient of Days. He would go up into heaven to receive His crown and it would be placed on His head by none other than God Himself. At that point in time, as king, He would be given dominion, glory and a kingdom and the subjects of His rule are identified as all the peoples, nations and men of every language. This leaves little that would not bow in service to Him. It’s important to note that when He has entered into His power, at that point all peoples and nations and men of every language would serve Him. His glorious dominion and this kingdom would be everlasting and nothing would be able to destroy it once it has been established.
The Crowning of Jesus
Keeping with our standard of promise and fulfillment, we can see that the New Testament enlightens us to this passage by applying it to the Lord Jesus. It proves to be one of the central passages in the ministry and identity of Christ. When revealing the future events concerning the temple in Jerusalem, the Lord states: They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. Interestingly, His quotation of Daniel was meant to establish that they would understand that Jesus had been coronated because judgment had come upon them (Matthew 24:30). After His arrest, He is brought before Caiphas and asked to clearly state that He is the Messiah. In affirming His Messianic identity to them, the Lord Jesus says to the high priest, the scribes, and elders “you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64). His accusers would recognize that He is the Messiah, not because of His admittance, but because they would experience His enthronement through the judgment about to fall upon them in 70 A.D. The fact that Jesus uses the pronoun “you” signifies that those living in the 1st century would see Daniel’s vision fulfilled[2]. So, this passage in Daniel 7 was fulfilled in the 1st century. Jesus was coronated by God the Father at His ascension and His accusers did experience His judgment.
The coronation itself happened at Jesus’ coming to the ancient of Days when He ascended and sat down at the right hand of God post-resurrection. He sat upon His throne and began to reign as the King in those days. But we are left with an unanswered question: when would all these nations and peoples serve Him? Prior to ascending to the throne of heaven, Jesus leaves His disciples with a mandate. That mandate was proclaimed in Matthew 28:18-20 by the One who had all authority in heaven and on earth. This decree was based upon His authority and these orders were a command to go baptize and disciple the nations teaching them to obey King Jesus. This is the means by which God would subject the nations to the dominion of His Messianic King. Those who were His subjects would serve Him by obeying Him and going forth to bring the nations into the kingdom through the gospel of grace. As we saw earlier, Paul’s apostleship and ministry was to bring about subjects who would obey King Jesus and receive His glorious salvation. We will speak much more in the next lesson on this.
[1] World Bible Commentary: Genesis, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Gordon Wenham, Page 478
[2] This same usage of the coronation of the Heavenly King is also found in Revelation 1:7, 1:13 and in 14:14.
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