Thy Kingdom Come
TRANSLATION
(8) Let me hear what Yahweh God will speak, for he will speak peace to his people and to his godly ones. But let them not turn back to folly. (9) Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him so that glory may dwell in our land. (10) Steadfast love and faithfulness have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed. (11) Truth springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. (12) Indeed, Yahweh will give what is good, and our land will yield its produce. (13) Righteousness will go before him and will make his footsteps a pathway (for us).
OBSERVATIONS
Four words were repeated in this segment: “Yahweh” (vss. 8 & 12), “peace” (vss. 8 & 10), “our land” (vss. 9 & 12), and “righteousness” (vss. 10, 11, & 13). They pointed the way to its message: with Yahweh’s blessing, the land during the future Kingdom will enjoy an unprecedented time of prosperity characterized by peace and righteousness.
Consider also the beauty and significance of the poetic imagery describing Israel’s future (vss. 10-13). In verse 10, four great attributes of God and characteristics of the Messiah’s rule are personified. First, steadfast love and faithfulness will be brought together in perfect union. Additionally, righteousness and peace (shalom) will kiss in greeting to demonstrate their being joined in his Kingdom. These four qualities, love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace, describe the kind of life those on earth will enjoy when Messiah comes to rule.
In the next verse, we find two additional metaphors: truth springing up from the ground like a crop to be harvested and righteousness hovering over the earth like clouds in the sky (vs. 11). Finally, righteousness is again personified as a guide that will lead us in ways that are pleasing to God (vs. 13).
OUTLINE
I. Yahweh promises peace and salvation for those who fear him. (8 & 9)
II. When Messiah comes, he will establish a Kingdom of peace and prosperity. (10-13)
IDEA STATEMENT
For those who fear him Yahweh promises a coming Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and great prosperity.
APPLICATION
By focusing on Messiah’s future millennial Kingdom as a time characterized by love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace, we are not saying that such qualities are unattainable today. For those who walk in the Spirit’s power, such character traits are not only possible but expected to show up in our lives as we walk with Christ in the fellowship of other believers. Yet, all of us fall short of what God desires to see in us as we live in a world under the rule Satan, a world that knows little of love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace.
We struggle to imagine what communities, governments, and the world filled with such qualities will be like. How different things will be when we truly love each other, fully trust one another, and do not fear for our safety as we live securely under the righteous rule of King Jesus! Is it any wonder Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”? Our hearts yearn for the time when steadfast love and faithfulness along with righteousness and peace will be the normal, everyday experience of everyone’s lives.