Embracing Love

God’s promise to David in 2 Samuel 7 (and reiterated in Psalm 89) is referred to in biblical theology as the Davidic covenant. In this covenant, God develops the trajectory of the Abrahamic covenant, through which He promised to restore the creation blessing to the whole earth (Gen 12:3). In 2 Samuel 7, God reveals that the blessing will be restored through David’s royal lineage, culminating in a King whose rule would endure forever. And God guarantees this with His love (2 Sam 7:15; Ps 89:28).

God’s love referenced here is no ordinary love. The Hebrew word hesed is a covenant-keeping word. It does not merely refer to an emotion or an attitude. Rather, it includes the acts of faithfulness which result from this attitude. It is a love that endures in order to preserve and promote life, whatever the cost.

When Gabriel appeared to Mary to reveal her part in the first Christmas, he quotes 2 Sam 7:16 to indicate the fulfillment of the promise made to David so long ago (Lk 1:32-33). And in this way, God proved the committed initiative of His love.

During Advent, we celebrate the embrace of God’s enduring love and His faithful acts toward us.

We look back and remember the King whose birth manifested God’s (hesed) love on the earth. And we anticipate His return, when this King will reclaim the whole earth His kingdom, ruling over it forever.