David seems so promising at first. He is the great king under which God's people are united. For a time they are saved from their enemies and do dwell secure. But it is not to last. Not under David. Sin is still in his heart and in the heart of his people. Human kingdoms cannot withstand the destructive and divisive power of sin. David's kingdom cannot endure. In fact, it is so extreme that Jesse, his father, is said to be a stump. The whole project is dead on the vine before becoming what it is meant to be. This is true even though David is called "a man after my own heart" by God.
Everything seems lifeless now. When the greatest efforts fail they show all of history in stark relief. We look back to great efforts and near successes. But ultimately everything is marred with failure. True peace is never achieved. Wisdom seldom holds sway because tyranny and selfishness dominate. We do not and cannot dwell secure and united. We grow tired of thinking, 'This time, for sure.' We begin to give up. But fear not! God himself will raise up the shoot from this stump because on its own the stump is lifeless.
This life does come. It comes so unexpectedly that even the righteous miss it.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
For that we may be forgiven. We aren't used to seeing new plants come from stumps. But the stump itself comes alive. The Spirit rains down like the dew fall upon Mary at her conception. Humanity is now a lifeless stump no longer. A shoot begins to grow. It comes alive within her and grows up and up toward the Father.
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Where the merely human cannot succeed God himself comes to our rescue. It is so amazing that we can't help but recognize it. Jesus does not have to insist on his own identity. It is evident. We ourselves name him:
This is the name they give him:
“The LORD our justice.”
He is the only one who can do this. He alone can be our justice. He along can be the basis for lasting peace. History proves it. Even the best are not up to the task. But for God nothing is impossible. And now, finally, he is with us:
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
Let us learn to call him "The LORD our justice." Let us our learn to call him Emmanuel. He is God with us and he is LORD. He is Adonai as we are taught to call him today. Because he is LORD he can be our justice, our hope, and the basis of true and lasting peace. Because he is Adonai he can also be Jesus, who "will save his people from their sins."
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous deeds.
And blessed forever be his glorious name;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
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