2 Samuel 7:4-17
1 Chronicles 17:11-14
Psalm 89:19-37
Psalm 132:11-12
2 Samuel 23:3-7
{This lesson is one that's hard for me to type out because I'd so much rather be speaking it to you all!}
<Recap for a Monday>
Our God of covenant has, from the beginning of time, structured the perfect framework to restore His people to Himself. He has upheld His promises--underwritten by His own Name, because there was nothing greater to swear by--from creation until now. All of creation points to His eternal power and divine nature, invisible qualities that are so clear they leave us without excuse (Romans 1:20) That should have been enough. In fact, it was enough on God's part; it was His covenantal partners who traded His truth for a lie. But God is so, so kind to play the long game with His image bearers. At the same time God was handing out the wages of sin, He was hinting of a plan that would draw His creation back to Himself. The plan was Plan A from the beginning of time, with no need for a plan B. Humankind did flourish outside of the garden, multiplying in number and in sin. So God destroyed the earth with a flood, saving only Noah and his family. God gave an unconditional covenant to the world, a bow in the sky the sign of the promise. Yahweh then called a descendant of Noah--Abram--to leave his homeland to go to a country God would show him along the way. He promised to make Him into a nation with as many people as the sands on the shore and stars in the sky. Abram--childless and married to a barren woman. The sign of this covenant was circumcision. Abraham complied, putting his future fertility and family at risk to trust in the God who provides. God finally but right on time blessed Abraham and Sarah with the son of the promise, after many shenanigans on their part to bypass the wait. God indeed grew Abraham into a nation, extending the promise to include Isaac and his son, Jacob. You will often find the phrase "I am the LORD, the God of your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" throughout the Old Testament. (Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had Father Abraham...you're welcome. 💃)
Fourteen generations later, we find another one of Yahweh's covenant partners, David. David is one of the MANY descendants of the line of Abraham through his great-grandson, Judah. David is an Israelite of Israel, the name God gave the nation that came from Abraham. Israel demanded a king because all of the other nations had kings (insert whiny voice here...) So Saul was anointed king over Israel by Samuel the prophet. He was not a good king, but {my opinion} he was exactly the wishy-washy king Israel deserved. But God wanted better for His beloved people. So God has Samuel anoint young David in 1 Samuel 16. David had to wait 15 years before he would finally take the throne, and that wait was WILD! He killed a giant, he faked insanity, he ran from King Saul's jealous rampage, married the king's daughter, and became best friends with the king's son. Finally but right on time, in 2 Samuel 5, David is crowned king of Israel. 2 chapters later, we see Yahweh using the language of covenant to David--"I Have Been, I Am, I Will Be". The LORD promises He will make a house for David. God isn't canceling the Abraham covenant--He is reaffirming it. He tells David He has planted His nation--Israel--and when God plants you, you are planted. Now this promise is funneling down to a royal line, one that will always have a descendant of David sitting on the throne. God is zooming in from Abraham's nation to David's house. Another scene on which the steadfast, loyal, faithful love and compassion of Yahweh can play itself out, His kindness displayed to draw others to repentance.
We labeled David as purple--the color of royalty. There will be many kings follow David--some good, most bad. David isn't even the best--he commits adultery, he has a man murdered, he has multiple wives, he shows little control over his children. But He is the man of God's own choosing. We know from the Psalms that David was not afraid to pour out his thoughts, doubts, insecurities, anger, sin with brutal honesty. Yet after God draws up the terms of His covenant to David, this is King David's prayerful response, spoken as he sat in the LORD's presence....
"Who am I, Lord God, and what is my house that You have brought me this far? What You have done so far was a little thing to You, Lord God, for You have spoken about Your servant's house in the distant future. And this is a revelation for mankind, Lord God....This is why You are great, Lord God. There is no one like You, and there is no God besides You, as all we have heard confirms. And who is like Your people Israel? God came to one nation on earth in order to redeem a people for Himself, to make a name for Himself, and to perform for them great and awesome acts....Now Lord God, fulfill the promise forever that You have made to Your servant and his house. Do as You have promised, so that Your name will be forever exalted....Therefore, Your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to You. Lord God, You are God; Your words are true, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant. Now, please bless Your servant's house so that it will continue before you forever. For You, Lord God have spoken, and with Your blessing Your servant's house will be blessed forever." (2 Samuel 7:18-29.)
Out of creation, a nation. Out of a nation, a house. God--Promise Maker, Promise Keeper. Praise Him. 💖💖💖
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