LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Tasters from the King's Table
Son of David and son of Abraham
The first verse of Matthew's gospel introduces us to the Lord Jesus Christ as the "Son of David and son of Abraham". It is very interesting to see why the Holy Spirit chooses these two men from the Old Testament, by way of introduction, to associate them with Christ.
As we know, the son of David, according to the promise of descendants, was Solomon, and that of Abraham, was Isaac. But Solomon and Isaac were only shadows, types that foreshadowed the true descendant. It is true, Solomon was the greatest king of glory, of wisdom and of wealth, and Isaac was his father's only heir. But behold, Christ is the true Solomon and the true Isaac.
In fact, Matthew's gospel shows us, from chapters 1 to 25, that Jesus is of royal blood, the son of David, that is to say, to the true Solomon deploying His wonderful wisdom. That's why this gospel places an emphasis on Jesus' teachings. From chapters 26 to 28 we are shown Jesus as Abraham's son; that is to say to the true Isaac who, as lamb, is offered on the altar of the sacrifice, the cross.
But there is another aspect in which Jesus is also the Son of David and son of Abraham. David and Abraham represent two covenants, because God made one with both. God promised David that he would raise up a descendant after him, one of his children, and would establish His Kingdom forever: "He shall build me a house, and I will establish his throne for ever.
...and his throne shall be established for ever" (1 Chr. 17:12, 14). However, this prophecy was not fulfilled in Solomon (because he died), but in Christ, because He is King forever.
On the other hand, when God promised Abraham that "in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 22:18), He wasn't referring to Isaac, but to Christ (as Paul said in Galatians 3:16: "And to your seed, who is Christ"). In the Lamb of God all the nations are blessed.
In God's wisdom, Christ would thus be presented, associated with these two men, and also, in this precise order that, as we know, is not the chronological order.