David wants to build the Lord a house. But the Lord builds him a house…
2 Samuel 7: God's Covenant with David
1 Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies,
2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent."
3 And Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you."
4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan,
5 "Go and tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in?
6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling.
7 In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"'
8 Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel.
9 And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.
10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly,
11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house.
12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men,
15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you.
16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.'"
17 In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.
David's Prayer of Gratitude
18 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, "Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?
19 And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord GOD. You have spoken also of your servant's house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord GOD!
20 And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord GOD!
21 Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it.
22 Therefore you are great, O LORD God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
23 And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making himself a name and doing for them great and awesome things by driving out before your people, whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, a nation and its gods?
24 And you established for yourself your people Israel to be your people forever. And you, O LORD, became their God.
25 And now, O LORD God, confirm forever the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, and do as you have spoken.
26 And your name will be magnified forever, saying, 'The LORD of hosts is God over Israel,' and the house of your servant David will be established before you.
27 For you, O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, 'I will build you a house.' Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you.
28 And now, O Lord GOD, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.
29 Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord GOD, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever."
Things to think about…
1. Sometimes as the people of God we believe we can speak on behalf of God because we have walked with Him for many years. Such is the case here with Nathan when he is asked by David whether David should build God a house, Nathan says “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you”, 2Sam7:3. But God has other ideas for David and sends Nathan back to David with a different message. Sometimes we can be too quick with what we believe the Lord’s will is, not only for ourselves, but for others. James gives us good advice, we should ask “if it is the Lord’s will” before we do (or say) this or that in our lives, Jam 4:15.
2. Israel and Jerusalem have been the people and the place of conflict for millenia. But look at the promise from the Lord in 2 Sam 7:10. He says “I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly”. Our Lord will one day bring perfect peace to Israel and fulfill all the OT prophecies. We know the earthly fulfillment of this will be evident in Yeshua (Jesus) ruling over Israel and the world in the Millennium, but the eternal fulfillment will be evident when the New Jerusalem descends from heaven upon the New Earth. This is the house that the Lord makes through David’s greater Son.
3. The word Nathan receives from the Lord in 2Sam 7:5-7 is similar to what Stephen said to Jews before he was stoned by them, that “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest?”, Acts 7:49. Stephen quotes Isaiah 66:1 in Acts 7:49, 50. God tells Nathan that there is one coming from David’s body who “shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever”, 2Sam 7:13. This of course is the Lord Jesus Christ. His kingdom will be established forever. Jesus said He would rebuild the temple in three days. He sure did, but it was not the one that was on the Temple Mount. Of that building Jesus said “not one stone would be left on another”. Christ’s body is the house that the Lord is building and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. But the Lord is not finished with a literal temple in Jerusalem? Ezekiel speaks of a temple and the Lord’s presence abiding there in Ezek 40-48. This temple has not yet been built.
4. We see that Nathan speaks about the Lord Jesus, but he also refers to Solomon who would build the house of the Lord. Jesus did not commit iniquity, 2Sam 7:14, but we know Solomon did. So here there is also a reference to Solomon establishing David’s throne. This is where we see a double meaning where there is both a literal and a prophetical fulfilment in Nathan’s words to David.
5. David understood the weight and gravity of the Lord’s word through Nathan the prophet. He says in 2Sam 7:19 “You have spoken also of your servant's house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord GOD!”. This House was not just for Israel, but a house and a message for all nations. Jesus is building His House and we are to be His lights in the world as labourers who build the house, over whom the gates of hell shall not prevail.
6. The same is true with David’s words regarding the nation of Israel. Note here he says that “you established for yourself your people Israel to be your people forever”, 2Sam7:24. God has not forgotten the land or the people of Israel. He has an electing love for these people. He is the one who called them out of Egypt. The Gentiles are the unnatural branches that have been grafted into God’s vine, but the Jews are the natural branches, and the Lord has a love for them that is continually being revealed. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and that the modern Israelis may see the only way they can be truly part of the ‘Israel of God’ is if they embrace Israel’s Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Lockdown is the likely reality for the next two weeks. If you can gather virtually, go for it.
The reading for Sunday came from Psalm 59.
1. A lot of what we are experiencing impinges on our freedoms and people are struggling with what should be considered fair and reasonable. How are you coping at the moment, both mentally and spiritually?
2. David had been promised the kingdom and yet here he is 10 or so years after being anointed by Samuel and is being harassed by Saul (the current king of Israel). Explain what you remember to be going on and the context of Psalm 59. Remember David had just married Saul’s daughter Michal.
3. What has God promised you. We know all those who desire to live godly lives will suffer persecution, that is a promise, 2Tim 3:12. But this is also countered with other promises like the fact that “he will grant you the desires of your heart” Ps 37:4. That if you “Call unto me and I will answer you” Jer 33:3, and of course the promise by Jesus “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do” Jn14:13. How do you reconcile these texts with the reality that not all our prayers or perhaps things that are promised are always given?
4. We certainly don’t want what is fair? Jesus was sent to the cross by the Father. This was certainly unfair. But if our sin is paid for as a result, it is just. As such our names are written in heaven and in the Book of Life. Explain this exchange in your own words.
Prayer Points
1. That there would still be fellowship and blessing through the Lockdown.
2. Pray for testimonies that people will be doing every second week. Please consider when you would like to do yours when the pastor asks you to share yours 😉
3. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof and solar.
4. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points.
1. Ability to meet, albeit it virtually online.
2. The unity and grace on display at CBC.
Announcements
1. Members’ meeting 15 Aug – assuming no lockdowns, which seems unlikely at this stage.
2. PlayPatch for toddlers at church, Fridays 9:30-11am. Please get the word out. See Maddison for details. Not this week due to lockdown.
3. Recharge Youth – 6:30-8:30pm. Will be on “virtually” tonight. Parents please download the app that Melinda has sent so your kids can join in online at 7pm tonight.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
