Day 4: A Title, Not a Name
Read: Psalm 2:1–7
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,
— Psalm 2:2 (ESV)
Reflect
The kings of the earth line up against two targets: the LORD, and "his Anointed."
The word is meshiḥo, "his anointed one." It comes from a verb that means to smear or rub with oil. In Israel, oil was poured on the heads of kings and priests, and God commanded it for at least one prophet (1 Kings 19:16). The anointing marked them out. It said: this person has been set apart by God for a task.
Our English word "Messiah" comes from this Hebrew word. The Greek translation of it is Christos, which gives us "Christ." So when we say "Jesus Christ," we are not using a first and last name. We are making a confession: Jesus is the Anointed One.
Christ is not a last name. It is a job description.
Notice too the little word "his." The Anointed belongs to the LORD. To rise up against God's chosen King is to rise up against God himself. The rulers in Psalm 2 think they can resist one without resisting the other. They cannot.
This is a psalm about power, and about whose power will last. The nations conspire. The rulers take counsel. But the One they are plotting against has been anointed by the God who sits in the heavens. Their plans are already outmatched.
Across Scripture
David is anointed by Samuel with oil, and "the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward" (1 Samuel 16:13). When the early church faced threats, they prayed this very psalm, and they heard Herod and Pilate in it, gathered against God's "holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed" (Acts 4:25–27). Hebrews 1:5 quotes verse 7 of the same psalm about Christ.
Sit With It
The King's people share in his anointing by the Spirit, who teaches them the truth (1 John 2:20, 27). Where are you resisting the Anointed King's rule today?
Pray
Keep me loyal to your Anointed King today.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.