The Servant King

by T. Desmond Alexander

We need to know who Jesus is. But where can we turn to find out? Many people look only to the New Testament for answers. But reader of The Servant King will find that the Old Testament, beginning with its very first pages, paints a portrait of the Messiah, the Saviour of the world: where he will come from, what he will be like and what he will do. By the time we reach the New Testament, much of the portrait has emerged, so that the Jesus we encounter is not a stranger. We are able to see, like the first disciples, that he is the Messiah already promised, the Servant King. With great skill, Desmond Alexander helps us see the portrait's first brush-strokes being laid down in Genesis and more being added as the Old Testament story unfolds. Then, as he guides us through the New Testament, we discover how the portrait is completed revealing Jesus in all his glory. This book brings the whole picture into view. It helps us see who Jesus was, where he stood in the plans of God and what he was sent to do. If we read with care and faith, The Servant King will help us enter the richness of God's Word, and we will understand better, not just who Jesus was, but who he is today. "The Servant King is written with the sort of authority only a leading Old Testament specialist can command; but its deep learning is not allowed to intrude and the book has all the charm and helpfulness of a piece of enthusiastic Bible study, presented with freshness and accuracy." -Alec Motyer, Trinity College, Bristol T. D. Alexander (PhD, Queen's University, Belfast) is director of the Magee Institute for Christian Training at Union Theological College in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He is also the author of Paradise to the Promised Land.

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies

160 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1998

About the author

T. Desmond Alexander (PhD, The Queen’s University, Belfast) is senior lecturer in biblical studies and director of postgraduate studies at Union Theological College in Belfast, Ireland. He is the coeditor of the New Dictionary of Biblical Theology.

Reviews

[curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent little book that traces the development of an important theme--God's promise of a Messiah who would be both Servant and King par excellence--throughout the course of the biblical canon. Fresh and accessible, this is a fine introduction to the discipline of biblical theology as well.

[Maryeet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate the simplicity and clarity of this book!

(P.S. Will someone write my book report? 🤭)

[Brian Pate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This small volume is an excellent introduction to the theme of the kingdom in the Bible. Alexander traces this topic from the anticipation of a king in Genesis to the consummation of the kingdom in Revelation.

In Genesis a royal lineage begins, a promised seed that is carried forward by divine activity. “God intends the line of ‘seed’ to play an important role in reversing” the curse (30). This king is prefigured in Joseph, predicted by Balaam, and modeled (to varying degrees of success) by spirit-led judges. It is a problem that “Israel had no king” (Judg 17:6), but there is an intentional focus on the city of Bethlehem that leads us to the birth of David.

The prayer of Hannah informs us that the promised king must be humble, which Saul and David were initially. God makes a covenant with David, ensuring that a Davidic dynasty will rule over Israel forever. But there is the indication that this promise is “conditional upon the behaviour of future kings” (85). If subsequent kings do not follow Yahweh, there is the possibility that God would take the kingdom away from them for a time. This is exactly what happens. But there is a glimmer of hope. God says, “I will humble David’s descendants because of this, but not for ever” (1 Kngs 11:39). This speaks of “the future restoration of the Davidic dynasty” (91). The prophets give hope that David’s fallen tent will be restored (Amos 9:11-12). They predict that God’s kingdom will crush all earthly kingdoms and that the Son of Man will reign forever (Dan 7:13-14).

The NT views Jesus as the new David who has come as the king of the kingdom of heaven (Matt 3:2). “The kingdom has no geographical boundaries, but exists wherever God’s reign is accepted and acted upon” (134). This kingdom now expands as a blessing to all nations, signified by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Just as individuals can enter the kingdom only by means of the Spirit, so also they can live a kingdom lifestyle only by the power of the Spirit. The kingdom will be consummated when King Jesus makes all things new (Rev 21:3-5).

[Clint Brads · Rating 4 out of 5]

An encouraging read that helps you develop your understanding of the promises and prophecies surrounding Jesus that he fulfills at his coming. Chapters are very short making for a very easy read even if you don't focus well for long periods of time. really enjoyed it, especially the first half which dealt more with the way the Old Testament foretold the coming of Jesus Christ.

[Anna Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on Christ in the Old Testament I’ve ever read.

[Gabriel Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an exceptional read ! For being such a short book it was able to adequately introduce the story of the Messiah throughout the whole entire story line of the Bible.

[Allen Abbott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very meh. Obviously, the author's coming from a conservative Christian pov, so he's going to read the Hebrew Bible Christocentrically. But anymore, I find projects like this tiring and distasteful. Their agendas distort rather than preserve the ancient, pre-Christian meanings of so-called "Messianic" passages in the HB.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clear picture portraying the connection of Jesus Christ throughout the Old and New Testament. Interesting and very, well written!

[Matt Pitts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple yet superb primer on biblical theology focused on the Messiah.

[Lindsay John Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I might review this later, but first comment: this book was near- perfect!