Wednesday, April 4, 2012

The Christian Triune God of the Old Testament

I just finished up II Samuel in my Bible reading. It is in this rich Old Testament book that the Christian reader will find as an explicit reference to our Triune God as anywhere in the New Testament. In fact, compare II Samuel 23:1-3 with the so called Pauline Trinitarian Benediction in II Corinthians 13:14:

23 Now these are the last words of David.
Thus says David the son of Jesse;
Thus says the man raised up on high,
The anointed of the God of Jacob,
And the sweet psalmist of Israel:
“The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me,
And His word was on my tongue.
The God of Israel said,
The Rock of Israel spoke to me:
‘He who rules over men must be just,
Ruling in the fear of God.
II Samuel 23:1-3
And,
 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
II Corinthians 13:14

God has always been Triune, whether the student is reading the Old Testament or New Testament. I was just struck, once again, by this passage in II Samuel; I hope it strikes you as well!

4 comments:

  1. I will praise Thee, for Thou hast heard me and art become my Salvation. The stone which the builders rejected has become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes...Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord... God is the Lord which hath showed us light. Bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the alter.
    Thou art my God and I will praise Thee. Thou art my God. I will exalt Thee.
    Oh give thanks to the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endures forever. Psalm 118

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  2. Nice! Apart from dozens of other very clear trinitarian OT passages, I also love the Aaronic blessing of Numbers 6. The LORD is mentioned three times, first as the Fountainhead of blessing, then the gracious Face, then the Power that turns the Face upon us and gives us peace:

    "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face towards you and give you peace."

    When you map the grace of 2 Corinthians 13 onto Numbers 6 it's a very sweet trinitatian blessing indeed!

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    Replies
    1. Amen, Glen; I am right there with you, brother!!!

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