“O Clavis” – The Key of David

Written by Fred Hofland

Isaiah 22:22 The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; So he shall open, and no one shall shut; And he shall shut, and no one shall open. 

Revelation 3:7 " And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ' These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens."

Think of the last time you were given a key.  In itself, a key is a rather small piece of metal with a unique set of “teeth”.  But the first time you give a 16 year old that small piece of metal that fits in the car’s ignition and you will see a face light up as if you had given him the world!

Keys give access – to cars, to homes, to safety deposit boxes, etc.  And in giving access, they give control and represent authority.  This has been true throughout history and we see this in Isaiah 22:22.  Shebna, the steward of the king’s house, the house of David, had authority to manage the king’s house.  But he used that authority only for himself, to emphasize and highlight his importance.  Therefore God would remove him and on another, Eliakim, God “ will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David.” 

Eliakim would receive the key, the symbol of authority.  But why on his shoulder?  The key came not only with authority but also with weight of responsibility that was to be carried on the shoulder.  Unfortunately Eliakim would not prove to be up to the task, the burden of responsibility proved too difficult to administer with justice and mercy.

Indeed, no man proved able to bear the key of David until the coming of the Son of David, our Messiah Jesus Christ.  In him was perfect power, justice and mercy.  Therefore God gives him the key of David.  He is the one  “who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.”  Jesus declares his authority that is exercised for the church in Philadelphia: “Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.”

Jesus continues to use the key of David to open doors for gospel witness so that his kingdom continues to expand.  But the key of David is also used to unlock the glorious treasures belonging to the one who sits on the throne of his father David.  And Jesus does not ‘merely’ give riches and honor and blessings to his people.  He makes them pillars in the heavenly temple of God and identifies them with the name of God and with his own name. (Rev 3:12)  They will reign with Jesus, who has received all authority in heaven and earth, enjoying perfect fellowship with their God and Savior.

What a glorious picture is given us in the image of the key of David.  The key received by Jesus to open door of heaven and unlock the rich, immeasurable treasures of God’s love for his people!