How do Muslims or Bahai take the promises to David of an everlasting kingdom and Son of God as King?

whirlingmerc · May 12, 2019

An everlasting Ruler in the type and lineage of David and if the king obeys God, God will be a father to him.
How is that taken in Islam or Bahai?

see Psalm 2 for example. The Message is promised the nations as his inheritance and
is declared Son of God

Dawnofhope · May 12, 2019

whirlingmerc said:
An everlasting Ruler in the type and lineage of David and if the king obeys God, God will be a father to him.
How is that taken in Islam or Bahai?

see Psalm 2 for example. The Message is promised the nations as his inheritance and
is declared Son of God

We need to talk about the Eternal Covenant of God of which the Davidic Covenant forms a small but essential part. It is of course an agreement between man and God, where God makes promises to man to bless and protect us and in return we must recognise His prophets and Messengers and follow His commandments. It must be seen as a continuation and development of other Covenants such as those with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David and then Christ. Central to the story of the Bible is the plight of the Jewish people that God in His mysterious wisdom has chosen to bring His message to humanity and the promises to David speak of a future glorious role for Jewish people again. Perhaps they will be the first as a people or nation to recognise the Messiah for this age and establish God's Kingdom forever (relatively speaking).

There are a couple of key parts of the story that should be included. The plight of the Jewish people between the decline of their empire after King David, what the prophets had to say, the destruction and rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Jewish temple at the decree of the Persian emperor Cyrus(whom Isaiah called the anointed one), only for both to be destroyed again 70 AD when the Romans invaded. Then after the Jewish diaspora we have Muhammad as the seal of the prophets who is very much like King David in uniting His peoples and Moses in bringing forth the Qur'an. It is no coincidence that He brings a Revelation He alleges from God that mentions over 40 Hebrew characters and prophets.

The return of the Jewish people to their homeland in the 19th and 20th centuries was accompanied by the gospel of Christ being proclaimed to all the nations. At the same time a new religious movement exploded onto the scene, from Persia the very same empire that had decreed the rebuilding of Solomon's temple. This time twin Messengers of God whose paths were to intersect with the land Israel, that God had promised Abraham. The remains of One is buried on Mount Carmel, also known as the mountain of Elijah. Elected representatives from all nations echoing promises in Isaiah 2:2-5 are based near the shrine and not too far off we have the plains of Sharon and Akka described as the strong city in Psalms.

whirlingmerc · May 13, 2019

adrian009 said:
We need to talk about the Eternal Covenant of God of which the Davidic Covenant forms a small but essential part. It is of course an agreement between man and God, where God makes promises to man to bless and protect us and in return we must recognise His prophets and Messengers and follow His commandments. It must be seen as a continuation and development of other Covenants such as those with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David and then Christ. Central to the story of the Bible is the plight of the Jewish people that God in His mysterious wisdom has chosen to bring His message to humanity and the promises to David speak of a future glorious role for Jewish people again. Perhaps they will be the first as a people or nation to recognise the Messiah for this age and establish God's Kingdom forever (relatively speaking).

There are a couple of key parts of the story that should be included. The plight of the Jewish people between the decline of their empire after King David, what the prophets had to say, the destruction and rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Jewish temple at the decree of the Persian emperor Cyrus(whom Isaiah called the anointed one), only for both to be destroyed again 70 AD when the Romans invaded. Then after the Jewish diaspora we have Muhammad as the seal of the prophets who is very much like King David in uniting His peoples and Moses in bringing forth the Qur'an. It is no coincidence that He brings a Revelation He alleges from God that mentions over 40 Hebrew characters and prophets.

The return of the Jewish people to their homeland in the 19th and 20th centuries was accompanied by the gospel of Christ being proclaimed to all the nations. At the same time a new religious movement exploded onto the scene, from Persia the very same empire that had decreed the rebuilding of Solomon's temple. This time twin Messengers of God whose paths were to intersect with the land Israel, that God had promised Abraham. The remains of One is buried on Mount Carmel, also known as the mountain of Elijah. Elected representatives from all nations echoing promises in Isaiah 2:2-5 are based near the shrine and not too far off we have the plains of Sharon and Akka described as the strong city in Psalms.

Isaiah does say the Nations will hope in the root of Jesse. Interestingly the focus there is on the root of Jesse who is God.

And even immediately after Psalm 137 where 'by the rivers of Babylon we laid down our harps and wept' God promises through David in Psalm 138 that 'all kings will sing' of God

So where does 'the son of God motif' fit into the Bahai view? As far as I know that big motif in both the New and the Old Testament is set aside in Islamic views. Or am I wrong?

Dawnofhope · May 13, 2019

whirlingmerc said:
Isaiah does say the Nations will hope in the root of Jesse. Interestingly the focus there is on the root of Jesse who is God.

And even immediately after Psalm 137 where 'by the rivers of Babylon we laid down our harps and wept' God promises through David in Psalm 138 that 'all kings will sing' of God

So where does 'the son of God motif' fit into the Bahai view? As far as I know that big motif in both the New and the Old Testament is set aside in Islamic views. Or am I wrong?

Baha'is view Christ as being the 'Son of God' though not literally like you and I might have a son.

Shoghi Effendi, the leader of the Baha'i Faith from 1921-1957 stated in regards to Christ:

"As to the position of Christianity, let it be stated without any hesitation or equivocation that its divine origin is unconditionally acknowledged, that the Sonship and Divinity of Jesus Christ are fearlessly asserted, that the divine inspiration of the Gospel is fully recognized, that the reality of the mystery of the Immaculacy of the Virgin Mary is confessed, and the primacy of Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, is upheld and defended. The Founder of the Christian Faith is designated by Bahá’u’lláh as the “Spirit of God,” is proclaimed as the One Who “appeared out of the breath of the Holy Ghost...” Shoghi Effendi

How does the designation 'Son of God' assist us to understand the Spiritual Reality of Christ AND the underlying unity of religion?

Lets look at the key verses:

In Matthew 1:18-25 it is written:
"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ”The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”-- which means, “God with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus."

We know from the Baha'i writings that the virgin birth is upheld as a Divine mystery.

We also consider
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that however believes in Him should not perish and have everlasting life." John 3:16

This is important to emphasise Jesus' Uniqueness and Greatness in contrast with the quote we are all sons of God.

The phrase Sons of God and Children of God are used many times through both the Old and New Testaments.

Sons of God: Genesis 6:2, Genesis 6:4, Job 1:6, Job 2:1, Job 38:7, Matthew 5:9, Luke 20:36, Romans 8:14, Romans 8:19, Galatians 3:26

Children of God: John 1:12, John 11:52, Romans 8:16, Romans 8:16, Romans 8:21, Romans 9:8

The significance of John 3:16 in contrast to these other verses along with the story of the virgin birth clearly sets Jesus apart from ordinary men. So the 'Son of God' designation highlights the Uniqueness and Greatness of Jesus when compared to the rest of humanity.

However other religions may also have different designations such as Moses being the 'Friend of God', Muhammad being the 'Seal of the Prophets' or Baha'u'llah being the 'Glory of God'. These different designations may serve a similar purpose to highlight the Uniqueness of a particular Man who Manifests God's Greatness with a Revelation that transforms communities, traditions, morals, and even civilisations.

Therefore the 'Son of God' designation of Jesus is consistent with the underlying unity in all the Great Prophets or Manifestations of God.

Hope that makes sense.

How do Muslims or Bahai take the promises to David of an everlasting kingdom and Son of God as King?

whirlingmerc

Well-Known Member

Dawnofhope

Non-Proselytizing Baha'i

whirlingmerc

Well-Known Member

Dawnofhope

Non-Proselytizing Baha'i