The Testimony of the Psalms (III)

Introduction

This edition of our Newsletter continues to discuss the prophecies presented in the book of Psalms about the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Jesus as the begotten Son of the Father revealed in the book of Psalms, is discussed.

Divine Decree of Sonship

 I will declare the decree of Jehovah. He has said to Me, You are My Son; today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I shall give the nations for Your inheritance; and the uttermost parts of the earth for Your possession” (Psa 2:7-8).

The first truth to be understood from the above scripture is that the “My Son” does not refer to any creature or man other than the Christ. On this note, Paul argues “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?” (Heb 1:5, 13).

In God´s declaration of Jesus as the Son, a reference was made to a specific day. However, this sonship was announced many times before the death of Christ. When Jesus had been baptized and had come out of the water, the heavens opened and the Spirit of God descending upon Him, a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mat 3:16-17).

Also, at the time of His transfiguration, it is written that when a bright light overshadowed the disciples, a voice was heard in the cloud, saying, ” This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear Him”. This voice put the disciples on their knees as they were greatly terrified (Mat 17:5-7).

It has been recorded again, that, when all things written about Jesus concerning His death were fulfilled, He was taken down for burial but God raised Him again from the dead. He thus walked among people for many days. It is added that the gospel that was preached was the promise that was made to their fathers but has been fulfilled to the children. That is, raising Jesus, as written in the book of Psalms “You are My Son, this day I have begotten You” (Acts 13:29-33).

From the above paragraph, the reference to “this day”, does not refer to the day Christ Jesus was born but the day He was raised from the dead. Paul intimates that the gospel of God was promised to the early fathers through the Prophets as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and this promise was about His Son, Christ Jesus, our Lord, who was marked out the Son of God according to the mighty power of God, and the Spirit of Holiness by the resurrection from the dead (Rom 1:3-4). Paul reiterates that as Aaron was, so also Christ did not glorify Himself to be a High Priest but the one who said to Him “You are My Son, today I have begotten You” (Heb 5:4-5).

The election of Aaron as a High Priest was based on the budding of his rod (Num 17:1-11). It was this budding of Aaron´s rod that silenced the mouths of his enemies. Similarly, the resurrection of Christ quieted His adversaries who doubted the resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:8) and that established His authority as a Son.

Conclusion

The resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead sealed His sonship as the only begotten Son of God. Jesus was acknowledged and declared the Son by virtue of His victory over sin and death. Therefore, God says to Him” You are My Son, today I have begotten You” (Psa 2:7). “Today” refers to that day that Christ completed divine assignment.

Prayer:

May the Lord God of heaven and the earth accept you to be His own as He gives you the grace to realize your mission on earth. In the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord.