God’s Signet Ring
By Ryan Habbena
God’s Signet Ring
A Difficult Passage that Reveals God’s Faithfulness to Fulfill His Promises
“Where did you come up with the name for your ministry, “Signet Ring”?
This is a commonly asked question when people are first introduced to our ministry. In order to understand where the name comes from, and why we chose it to represent the mission of our ministry, I invite you to learn some biblical theology.
The Curse of Jeconiah
A while back, I was in the middle of doing research for some expositional work, and I ran across an argument against Jesus’ credentials as the Messiah. For me this was rare—someone using the Old Testament to attempt to discredit Jesus’ claim as the Christ. An anti-missionary website cited Jeremiah 22:30 as evidence that Jesus could not be the Messiah:
“Thus says the LORD, ‘Write this man down childless, a man who will not prosper in his days; for no man of his descendants will prosper sitting on the throne of David or ruling again in Judah.’”
This text is referring to Jeconiah (a.k.a. Coniah and Johoiachin), one of Judah’s Kings. In light of this text, anti-missionaries are quick to cite Matthew 1:12 where Jeconiah is listed in Jesus genealogy. They argue that since none of Jeconiah’s descendants will prosper on the throne of David, this disqualifies Jesus as the Messiah. So how are we, who believe that Jesus of Nazareth is Israel’s Messiah, and our Savior, to respond to this?
Taking Every Thought Captive
The evidence supporting Jesus’ claim as the Eternal King is overwhelmingly compelling. I was convinced that this “problem” presented by those seeking to discredit Him was built on sand. When confronted with this argument, I was motivated to address this challenge with intellectual honesty, but also Christian tenacity. Paul’s calling in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 fueled this desire:
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
The way to understand the “Jeconiah problem,” and its resolution, is recognizing a key term in the context of the curse of Jeconiah. That term is “signet ring.”
“As I live,” declares the LORD, “even though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were a signet ring on My right hand, yet I would pull you off.” (Jeremiah 22:24)
What was a signet ring? In ancient times, a king or a noble would wear a ring. This ring acted as a stamp. When issuing decrees, commandments, and resolutions, the king would seal the scroll with clay or wax with the royal signet or emblem authenticating the message. Jeconiah was a “signet ring” on the LORD’s right hand, and God plucked him off. Jeconiah was of the Davidic line and God was pronouncing the end of his kingship and representation of God to Israel. Did this forever end the royal line of Davidic kings? The answer, found even within the Old Testament is “No!” God had established that the eternal King would come from the house of David. Just two persons after Jeconiah’s presence in Jesus’ genealogy, there is an individual named Zerubbabel.
“After the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah became the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel.” (Matthew 1:12)
This text indeed lists Jeconiah (another name for “Coniah” who was cursed in Jeremiah 22:30) as an ancestor of Jesus. But we have to remember to read the whole counsel of God when considering theological arguments. This very text, Matthew 1:12, also lists Zerubbabel as Jesus ancestor. Let’s read what the Lord declares regarding Zurubbabel. Be on the alert for some familiar terminology:
“‘On that day,’ declares the LORD of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, My servant,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you,’” declares the LORD of hosts.’” (Haggai 2:23)
This language is telling. Whereas, Jeconiah was figuratively God’s “signet ring,” one who carried His name and purposes, he was “plucked off” because of unfaithfulness. Zurabbabel, Jeconiah’s grandson, was declared God’s servant and would become a “signet ring,” continuing to carry the royal Davidic dynasty. Even early rabbinical writings confirm that Zurababbel was believed to have been chosen by God to re-establish the Davidic dynasty. Therefore, the Messiah would come from Zurubabbel.
The Scepter and the Signet Ring: Fulfilled in Jesus
In Genesis 49, Jacob bestows promises and prophecies regarding His posterity. To Judah, a royal promise was given:
“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” (Genesis 49:10)
Jesus holds the Scepter of Judah. He is the final, eternal King of the Davidic dynasty. And He is the heir to the re-established promise proclaimed to Zerubabbel (Matthew 1:1-12).
Thus, the name “signet ring,” became our banner. Not only does this name remind us of God’s faithfulness to preserve His promises, but it calls us to consider what our mission is as His church. Jesus is God’s signet ring. He is the ultimate One—who carries the authority of God, indeed is God incarnate, being the eternal King of the Davidic dynasty. It is our duty to go forth and “leave His mark” through preaching and teaching about His person and work. Recall the “great commission:”
“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20)
We go forth in this commission with great confidence, because it was delivered by the One who has “all authority in heaven and on earth.” It was delivered by God’s Signet Ring.
Note: This article is a short primer on the “Jeconiah problem” and its solution. Look for an extended article later in the year that further addresses the many issues evident in this complex biblical passage.