Psalm 45:6 “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.”
A scepter is an ornamented staff that was carried by rulers on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of sovereignty or their rulership. When the king held his the scepter in his hand it was a reminder to everyone present that he wielded great authority.
Within the Kingdom of God, the scepter of God’s authority is His righteousness. When we consider the Lord in all His perfection, we are taking into account His goodness, His holiness, and ultimately His law.
Psalm 19:7 “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”
When I consider the King of kings who reigns over all of Creation, I must envision Jesus upon that throne.
The One Who Reigns
Psalm 45 is a prophetic testimony of what was to be the characteristics of the coming Messiah. As I write concerning the scepter of God’s sovereignty, I echo the Psalmist words:
Psalm 45:1 “My heart is overflowing with a good theme;
I recite my composition concerning the King;
My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.”
The coming Messiah was revealed to be none other than Jesus Christ the (Anointed One)——Yeshua Hamashiach. He proved His worth, He demonstrated His power in meekness, and He conquered sin and death that His people might have eternal life. His grace is sweet.
Psalm 45:2 “You are fairer than the sons of men;
Grace is poured upon Your lips;
Therefore God has blessed You forever.”
Throughout history the scepter was essentially the royal insignia of monarchs and sovereigns. According to the ancient Tamil, the work of Tirukkural dedicates one chapter each to the ethics of the sceptre. According to Valluvar, “it was not his spear but the sceptre which bound a king to his people.”
Among the false gods of ancient pagan cultures, the scepter was often times tipped with an image of the deity that was represented in that culture.
In the First Persian Empire, the Biblical Book of Esther mentions the sceptre of the King of Persia. Esther 5:2 “When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther came near, and touched the top of the scepter.”
The touch of the scepter was the touch of the King’s favor.
Psalm 45:7 “You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”
The anointing of the scepter brought forgiveness to those who humbly received it. At times engraved with the seal of the Monarch on its tip, the scepter wielded the full power of the throne in the hands of the King. When the Father extended His scepter of righteousness to a people who were found guilty, He extended His Son—-Jesus.
Jesus—the Scepter of God
Hebrews 1:8 “But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.”
There are certain key aspects of God’s scepter that brings insight into the glory of the Son:
1. Jesus represents God’s power.
1 Cor. 1:24 “Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
2. Jesus represents God’s grace.
1 Cor. 1:4 “I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,”
3. Jesus is the image of God.
2 Cor. 4:4 “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
4. Jesus is who seals His own.
Eph. 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption”
When it comes to a perfect representation of God’s power, grace, sovereignty, glory, and even the very seat of His judgement…..Jesus stands alone in the position of Honor.
Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
The glory due His name is shunned by the world but it will soon be realized by every single person who has ever lived upon this earth. Not only will all see Him exalted, all will bow before Him and give the King of kings His due honor. Some will bow in allegiance and others in rebellion, but all will bow.
The scepter of God’s righteousness has been foretold since the beginning of Creation. The glory of God’s throne has been revealed and His position is one that will never end.
Genesis 49:10 “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people”
Today, as in history, the coronation of a King is sealed with the scepter and a crown.
In the final days, the coronation day of King Jesus will be the final crowning of the Savior of all mankind. It is by His victory over sin and death we too may partake of this glorious occasion.
The crown of thorns Jesus bore for us on the cross will be replaced with a crown of glory.
His justice will be swift for all who have rejected His favor. It is according to His moral law by which He will judge the nations and all who attempt to justify themselves will be found guilty.
Revelations 6:2 “So I looked and saw a white horse, and its rider held a bow. And he was given a crown, and he rode out to overcome and conquer.”
The enemy has set itself against God’s righteousness, they are opposed to the throne of God and they have chosen a path that leads to destruction.
The people of God are His anointed ones, and rejoice in the promise of everlasting life. The scepter of grace has been extended to all who would receive it, upon the heads of the redeemed Jesus Himself has extended His mercy….it is by Christ alone that we can find favor.
1 John 2:27 “And you, the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But just as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things and is true and is no lie, and just as it has taught you, you shall abide in Him.”
We have been given the scepter of Righteousness
When we come before the Father, we have been made acceptable by the Son. We need not fear God’s wrath because we have received the scepter of grace bestowed upon all who have rejoiced in Him.
To those who have rejected the Son, the scepter has become the rod of justice upon all who are at enmity with the Father. The sin of the rebellious begs for justice and the only justice to be had will be taken from their very lives.
The scepter of God’s favor is stretched forth to all who would receive it—I hope you have known His touch.
U.T. 