Our Sunday Message

The House that God Built: 2 Samuel 7:1-17
Rev. Dr. Kenneth A. Corr
July 23, 2006
Seventh Sunday of Kingdomtide

  This summer, we have been thinking about and learning from the stories of King David. I hope that as you are listening to these stories with me, you are learning to think of these as more than history lessons. If we read them correctly, these are stories that resonate with our own journey with God and from which we can learn about God, faith, discipleship, and spirituality. As we read, we are learning to ask, “In what way is this God’s Word for me today?” If we can’t say, “Wow! That is me!” then we have probably missed something.
  Today’s text begins in a period of relative peace and security. “When the Lord had given (David) rest from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet . . .” If you have been following these stories, you know that this period of peace and security had been hard fought. It was not that long ago that the nation was in the midst of a political crisis. The Philistines had invaded the land, defeated the army, killed the king and all the royal lineage, and threatened to destroy the nation. David had emerged as a courageous leader in this period of crisis and restored order.
  In our lesson last week, David consolidated his power by moving the capital city to Jerusalem and reclaiming the ark as the central symbol of God’s presence. We could say that it had been a pretty good first term for the king and his approval ratings were at an all time high. He might have had reason to believe that he had a mandate from God to make necessary religious reforms and there was no legislative branch to oppose him. And so, David looked around and said, “Let’s build God a temple.”
  And why not? Look at some reasons why this would have been a good thing:
  We love to build for God because buildings are a tangible, visible reminder of God’s presence. There is something about a grand sanctuary, cathedral, synagogue, or mosque that inspires worship in us.
  I have come into this space in the late afternoon when the only light is the light coming through the windows and the only sounds are the muted sounds of the street and it is easy to pray.
  There is an old saying that where two or more Baptists are gathered together, there you will find a building program. These worship spaces are sacred because they hold the collective memories of spiritual experiences. Why would God not want that? Nathan, the prophet, said, “Go, do all that you have in mind.”
  Another reason why this building project was thought to be a good thing is because every generation tries to differentiate itself from its forebears. The tabernacle was after all a “tent,” an embarrassing reminder of their rural, nomadic, unsophisticated forebears. A permanent temple was more appropriate for this generation of urban, settled, sophisticated people in a capital city. Nathan, the prophet, said, “Go, do all that you have in mind.”
  Finally, another reason why this building project might have been a good idea is because David had a nice house, appropriate for a king. God would like one too. We so easily make God into our own image; we assume that God wants what we want and who doesn’t want to build a nice house.
  Nathan would get to work with the architects and design his own theology into the sacred space. Just thinking about an outward expression of his inner spirituality was exciting. New furniture would be needed. The old furniture could be replaced and the old candlesticks just would not do in the new temple. New hymnbooks would be ordered. It was exciting to think about. How could God not be excited? Nathan, the prophet, said, “Go, do all that you have in mind.”
  We don’t know how this thought came into David’s mind, but the text reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways; God’s thoughts are not our thoughts. “(That) same night, the word of the LORD came to Nathan: ‘Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the LORD: Are you the one to build me a house to live in . . . . Did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel . . . saying, “Why have you not build me a house of cedar?”’”
  Ouch! That had to feel to David like a stinging rebuke. It was a good intention. It was a sincere offer. It was a generous idea. It was just not God’s idea. Fortunately for David, there was a prophet who could hear with an inner ear, see with a third eye, and was willing to speak the truth to power. Every king, president, and pastor needs a prophet to tell the truth.
  The bad news is followed by good news. “Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house.” There is a play on words here. When Rev. Dr. Richardson writes her seminary text book, The Hermeneutics of Historical Hebrew Texts, Lesson #147 will be, “Whenever you find a play on words in the biblical text pay attention. That is where the meaning is.”
  David wanted to build God a house, but God was building David a house. The house that God was building is a family name, a royal succession, a kingdom lineage that is eternal. The work of God is the house and lineage of David.
  Jesus was walking with his disciples. It was late Tuesday afternoon of Holy week, the last week in Jesus’ life. The setting sun was gleaming on the white marble of the temple. It was just an overwhelming picture. The disciples could not help themselves from remarking how beautiful it all was. What a great place to worship God! Jesus said, “Do you see these beautiful buildings. Not one stone will be left standing, but all will be torn down.”
  Another day, the Pharisees asked, “When will the kingdom of God come?” Jesus answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed nor will they say ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’, for in fact, the kingdom of God is within in you.”
  Another day, Jesus had confronted the woman of Samaria by the well. As they talked, she said, “I perceive that you are a prophet. Our religion says that the right place to worship God is here on the mountain in Samaria, but you Jews say that it is the temple in Jerusalem.” And Jesus said, “God is spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
  The work of God in the world is not a physical building where we can worship, or a sacred place that we can visit, or even a charismatic leader whom we can follow. The rule, the reign, the kingdom of God is Jesus Christ, whose reign is within us.
  The Temple that David wanted to build was built and destroyed in 70 A.D. It has never been rebuilt. The last Davidic king was dethroned in 586 B. C. If we are looking for a physical temple, ruler, or kingdom, we will be disappointed. But this promise is still true. Where do you sense the rule of God in your life? We come aside each week from our busy lives to this sacred place so that we can reorder our priorities, realign our wills, and reestablish the rule of God. Then we go and serve.