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those who heard assumed Jesus was the man. However, once again Jesus
said, “I am the vine you are the branches.”
(John 15:5)
The son of man is the
root of Jesse, the branch, because Jesus is the vine.
Wise King Solomon
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Son of David
The wise father’s seed, his son, inherits the kingdom of his father. The first
covenant certainly applies to David, Solomon, and all who served God unto
the birth of Jesus. David accepted the inheritance or promise of his father,
but did his role of shepherding the flock cease? The role of kingship and
shepherd is not symbolic. It’s a spiritual task to be sure.
An inheritance is bequeathed or passed on using a written will. The will of
the one who bequeaths and the bequeathed must follow the precise
instructions in the will left behind, which is evidenced by the line that was
passed on. An inheritance passes down to the one who is the most
competent, worthy, or most obedient. The Wisdom of Solomon in essence
was the mind of God, for all wisdom comes from God. It was evidenced in
the beginning as knowledge was to be withheld, and then taken from that
tree. Wisdom is recognized as the most precious gift, and clearly is seen
through Solomon, David’s son, until such was taken from him. Wisdom as
an attribute overcomes misunderstanding (sinfulness), because wisdom
rules with truth, rendering justice appropriately. An expression of David’s
love is again seen in the book of Kings, where it is recorded:
“When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon,
his son. ‘I am about to go the way of all the earth,’ he said. ‘So be strong,
show yourself a man, and observe what the LORD your God requires:
Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and
requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all
you do and wherever you go, and that the LORD may keep his promise to
me: “If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully
before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on
the throne of Israel.” ’”
(1 Kings 2:1-4)
Solomon, realizing his own weaknesses and perhaps a lack of ambition,
found himself weak and cried out to God for assistance: “‘Now, O LORD
my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But
I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your
servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too
numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to