The word KING brings images of British royalty and reminds me of a clan event in Scotland. One of the heirs to the throne was there and I was shocked at how little he resembled the image in my mind. For one thing, he was no taller than me.
The OT word translated king refers to an assortment of leaders, from emperors to Israel’s kings to tribal and city leaders. We had a civic election yesterday, and using this word that way would make our new mayor a king!
This is far different from my concept, even my biblical concept. I sing “King of kings and Lord of lords” referring to Jesus Christ. In my mind, this is the King because both OT and NT use that description:
1 Samuel 8:7. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.
Isaiah 33:22. For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; he will save us.
1 Timothy 1:17. “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Timothy 6:15–16. “(Our Lord Jesus Christ) who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.”
The Hebrew kings did not rule in their own right, or even because of being chosen. They were servants and representatives of the Lord God, the true King of Israel. He prescribed limits to their power and appointed officers and others to be part of their court. In other words, no king had sole rule just as leaders today have officials that serve with them.
However, in the spiritual realm, our God and Savior is described as King of kings. He rules over all people, including those in leadership and they are ultimately accountable to Him as well as to the people under their leadership.
To this King, we can pray and honor with worship (Psalm 5:2 and 24:7–10). He reigns, not for a short lifetime and a limited kingdom but forever and over all things (Psalm 29:10).
Psalm 44:4 says He is personal, “my King, O God” and “ordains salvation” for His people! He is “the Lord, the Most High, to be feared, a great king over all the earth” yet takes care of His people as Psalm 84:3 suggests; even a sparrow can find shelter and a home at His alters. This is our “great God, and a great King above all gods.” He reigns; let the people tremble!
The prophet Isaiah 44:6 speaks for Him: “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god’ and ‘I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.’ ”
Despite this response of respect and even adoration, our God and King is not always given His due. Isaiah 8:21 speaks of a day when people will seek help from necromancers and the dead rather than God. “They will pass through the land, greatly distressed and hungry. And when they are hungry, they will be enraged and will speak contemptuously against their king and their God . . . .”
In the NT, when Herod heard a babe was born “King of the Jews” he had all small children killed. In the end of this child’s life, the people rejected Him the same way:
John 19:15. They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.”
Even at the end of this age when God brings judgment, it will include an attack from what are called “locusts” who follow another leader. In Revelation 9:11, “They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon.” These are names meaning “destroyer” and used for Satan.
GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. Jesus is more than a man with a crown riding by on a white horse and waving to an adoring crowd. This King is the supreme leader — with power to love the crowd, to draw followers into His kingdom. Following Jesus means walking with Him, adoring Him but also doing what He orders, with respect and reverence, homage and humility. He knows His subjects and how to rule all creation with grace and wisdom. Whether my part is vast or miniscule, I’m to willingly, even eagerly fit into His plan, a role that is more apt to happen by keeping my focus on Him, my King.
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