Coming to the New Testament, we will find another King who acts with wisdom and uses his exile for the good of God’s people, our Lord Jesus Christ. In terms of shrewdness, he was wise in the use of this time and resources. He didn’t set out to trick and promote evil, but he was deliberate about the questions he asked and the people he engaged with. Think in particular of the way he approached the Sabbath issue to show how well meaning but man made laws were coming in the way of God’s purposes (cf. Matthew 12:9–14; Mark 3:1–6; Luke 6:6–11; Luke 13:10–17; Luke 14:1–6; John 5:5–18; 9:1-16).

Perhaps Jesus’ shrewdness  was most clearly demonstrated at the cross. There he was in the hands of the enemy so to speak. Defenceless before the rulers of the day, betrayed by Judas at the instigation of the Devil. Condemned to death though he was innocent, here was Satan doing his best to put an end to God’s plans. Or at least that’s what he thought. As we see in the Parable of the Tenants (Mark 12:1–12), there was this strange idea that by killing the Son, the Tenants would somehow receive the his inheritance. That at least is given as the motivation for the actions of the Pharisees and we can assume also the Devil. The idea that the owner of the Garden will give his creation into the hands of another. But it was not to be for with the death of Christ came the death of death, the triumph of God’s plan. There Jesus experienced a true exile from the land, exile from the Father’s presence. Exile from all his goodness, he knew nothing but the Father’s wrath against the sins of all God’s people. He had the experience of God-forsakenness as he paid the penalty for sin in full (cf. Mark 15:33–39).

And he was subsequently resurrected from the grave. Resurrected because he was the obedient servant who deserved eternal life in God’s presence. Resurrected because life in the land of the living was his just reward. A reward that he shares with all those who are united to him by faith. The New Joshua, Jesus conquered the land for God’s people, he opened the way for you and me to have an inheritance in the new creation. His work of redemption having been completed, he ascended into heaven and from there he continues to subdue land and conquering enemies. Not with the sword like David, that will come later when he returns in glory. For now he conquers with his Word and Spirit. His Word faithfully proclaimed by his church. That is where the battle lies in our day and age. Not the wilderness and stones of the Middle East, but the hearts and minds of our friends and family. The hearts and minds of our children. The world belongs to Christ, he is the King who rules over all, his Word must be proclaimed.