4th Sunday Of Advent, Year B. Series

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 2 Samuel 7:16, Luke 1:46-55, Psalm 89:1-4, Psalm 89:19-26, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38

A). WHO WILL BUILD WHOSE HOUSE?

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 2 Samuel 7:16.

2 SAMUEL 7:1-4. There is a subtle difference between a good idea and God’s will.

God’s purposes will never fail, but amongst men an idea is often marred by mixed motives. For example, Israel’s reason for wanting a king was that they ‘might be like the nations’ around them (cf. 1 Samuel 8:19-20) - not a good motive for the people of God! They might have argued that things had not gone well without a king (cf. Judges 21:25), but their sundials were not synchronised with God’s plan: Saul was admired for his stature, but God was preparing David, a ‘man after His own heart’ (cf. Acts 13:21-22).

King David may also have had mixed motives in moving the Ark of the Covenant (cf. 2 Samuel 6). There is no word of David consulting the LORD about this idea, and the disorderly way in which the plan was first attempted cost a man his life. The second attempt was conducted according to the pattern laid down by the LORD, and was therefore successful - and the king danced before the LORD.

Then the king had another idea, to which Nathan the prophet also initially agreed: let us build a Temple (2 SAMUEL 7:2). Sometimes a specific person is not the one to set forward a particular purpose, which is nevertheless of the LORD. It is also evident that Christian mentors sometimes agree too readily to the hasty misplaced zeal of those whom they are supposed to be advising.

2 SAMUEL 7:5-7. God’s presence cannot be contained in a building.

It was the LORD Himself who vetoed the plan for David to build a Temple. The idea seemed good, but the timing was wrong (2 SAMUEL 7:5). This is sometimes the reason for our allegedly “unanswered” prayers!

David needed to learn that the LORD cannot be contained in a building (2 SAMUEL 7:6-7). Since the Exodus, the LORD had been content to dwell in tabernacles, but He “walked” (the word is the same as that in Genesis 3:8) whenever and wherever He willed. This was a fact acknowledged in Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the Temple (cf. 1 Kings 8:27).

The presence of the LORD was not to be confined to a Temple, however fine or grand. Neither are the people of God to be defined by churches and buildings in our own day. The true Church is found residing with the people of God, washed in the blood of Jesus - whoever, and wherever, they are.

2 SAMUEL 7:8-11; 2 SAMUEL 7:16. The everlasting kingdom.

The LORD had taken David from the sheepfolds, and established the kingdom under his hands. The LORD was the giver, and David the recipient (2 SAMUEL 7:8-9). It was in the LORD’s gift to settle the people in the land, and give them rest from their enemies (2 SAMUEL 7:10-11) - rather than in David’s gift to make a permanent home for the LORD (cf. 2 SAMUEL 7:1).

David had wanted to build a house for the LORD, but the LORD intended rather to build the “house” - that is, the dynasty - of David (2 SAMUEL 7:16). Even during the dark years of the Exile, when there was once more no apparent “King” in Israel, the dispersed Jews held on to the hope of One who would come to re-establish David’s kingdom. Then one day the LORD returned, and taking up a new tabernacle walked right back into the lives of His people (cf. John 1:14).

B). THE SONG OF MARY.

Luke 1:46-55.

I) CONTEXT

A young woman, betrothed but not married, had a visitation from an angel and was pronounced “blessed amongst women” (Luke 1:28). In what way was Mary blessed? Well, she had “found favour with God” (Luke 1:30): Mary was going to be the mother of the Messiah (Luke 1:31-33).

Mary’s cousin’s husband, the priest Zachariah, had doubted the angel when he was told that his barren wife was going to bear the forerunner (Luke 1:18). The old man was struck dumb (Luke 1:20), and went home and hid himself (Luke 1:23). For her part, Mary did not disbelieve the angel, but wondered (Luke 1:34).

It is interesting to notice the different tone of Gabriel towards the priest, who should have known better (Luke 1:19-20), and the young woman who believed (Luke 1:35-37). Sometimes it is Christian professors who are slowest to acknowledge what God is doing in the midst of His people. Be careful, or the blessing may pass you by.

Already a believer, Mary submitted herself to the word of God (Luke 1:38). If we love Jesus, we will willingly surrender our souls and bodies to Him. Our faith is demonstrated not so much in what we say, but in our obedience to Him (James 2:18).