The Promised King

The coming of Christ didn’t start in the New Testament, but in the Old Testament. In the first episode of "The Promised King," Professor Jared Kingsley helps us understand the context of the coming Messiah in the book of Numbers.

“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near.” (Num 24:17). Professor Kingsley breaks down the oracles of Balaam in Numbers 24 and shows its amazing connection to the birth of Christ.

Professor Kingsley explains the Israelites' desperate need for a king during the days of the Judges through the story of Micah. Judges 17:6, “In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.”

Episode 4 dives into Judges 19. Professor Kingsley helps us understand the context to the Davidic line of kings that would bring forth the Messiah. Judges emphasizes the importance of kingship. When there was no king, the Israelites fell back to their wicked ways.

In Episode 5, Professor Kingsley introduces us to the book of Ruth and gives an overview of the context. In the midst of the wicked times of the judges, God is still present and working towards his plans of redemption.

“There was darkness in the book of Judges, but there is beauty in the book of Ruth.” As Professor Kingsley exposits the book of Ruth, we see Ruth’s biblical loyalty and reflection of Christ in her actions towards her mother-in-law, Naomi.

Professor Kingsley shows the sovereignty of God’s plan played out in the book of Ruth. When it seemed like no one cared for Ruth, God’s hand was over her and led her to the fields of Boaz.

Continuing in the story of Ruth, God’s lovingkindness is put on display through His provision of Boaz. Professor Kingsley also shows us Old Testament language attached to the future Christ in Episode 8.

Professor Kingsley breaks down the Old Testament laws of levirate marriage and property redemption in Ruth chapter 4. Boaz carries on the line of the Messiah and shows sacrificial love to Ruth and Naomi.

“...So they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.” (Ruth 4:17). In Episode 10, Professor Kingsley helps us see a great reversal for both Ruth and Naomi and how the dynasty of kings is born from the line of Boaz.

“Behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome as to open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Rev 5:5). In Episode 11, Dr. Greg Gifford dives into Revelation 5 asking the question, "How does Jesus, being the root of David, shape our hope?”

Dr. Gifford breaks down the prophecies of Isaiah about the future hope of Israel, the coming Messiah. We learn where the term “root” in Revelation was derived from and God’s plan to keep a remnant of His people.

In Episode 13, Dr. Gifford helps us understand that our hope cannot be in the nations, but in the Messiah, the ruler of all nations. We further learn about Isaiah’s illustration of Jesus’ rule in Isaiah 4.

“And He began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’” (Luke 4:21). Dr. Gifford further progresses intp the prophecy of Isaiah 11. Jesus reads Isaiah 61 and proclaims the fulfillment of prophecy that the Spirit was upon Him.

In Episode 15, Dr. Gifford gives us implications for understanding Jesus as the root of David. Jesus is the hope of all nations and all peoples and needs to be the one and only foundation of one's hope.

Dr. Gifford shows us the Old Testament understanding of the phrase “Son of Man” from Daniel 7. This passage in Daniel informs the New Testament of the person and work of Jesus Christ and His role as the Son of Man.

After Daniel’s vision in Daniel 7, Dr. Gifford takes us to the New Testament and shows the connection to Jesus revealing himself as the Son of Man in John 9. Further, we learn about the fulfillment of Isaiah 45 and Psalm 2 as the Son of Man being ruler of all.

Looking closely at the texts, there is much similarity in John’s vision in Revelation 1 and Daniel’s vision in Daniel 10. In Episode 18, Dr. Gifford breaks down the passages and helps us see the Son of Man as a Messianic figure.

“He was asking His disciples, saying, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’” (Matt. 16:13). Jesus reveals Himself to the disciples as the Son of Man. Dr. Gifford takes us to passages in the New Testament that fulfill Daniel’s prophecy of the Son of Man being seated on the right hand of the Father.

Closing our series, Dr. Gifford gives us points of application and helps us understand that we must see Jesus in the same way as Daniel, the Son of Man. Further, the book of Revelation points our hope towards the future reign of the Son of Man over all things.

Take your Bible and join Professor Kingsley and Dr. Gifford in reading the account of the birth of Christ from Luke 1:1-38 and Matthew 1:1-18.