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).
Mary also made haste to the house of Zachariah in the countryside. It may have been prudent to get out of town for a while, and to consult her godly cousin Elizabeth. More likely, the younger woman wished to congratulate Elizabeth.
There she was greeted by the older woman, who was immediately aware of Mary’s situation from the forerunner’s leap of joy in her own womb (Luke 1:41). Filled with the Holy Spirit, and in a loud voice, Elizabeth proclaimed three ways in which Mary was “blessed” (Luke 1:42; Luke 1:45). How can we mumble about these things when God has put a new song in our hearts?
Mary was again pronounced “blessed among women” (Luke 1:42). The fruit of her womb (Jesus) is also blessed. And Mary is blessed, says Elizabeth, as the one that believed (Luke 1:45), in contrast, no doubt, to Zachariah’s incredulity.
II) TEXT
1. Mary immediately turned the focus away from herself to the Lord (Luke 1:46-47). This anticipates John the Baptist, who always pointed away from himself to Jesus (John 3:30). We should follow this example: we should glorify the Lord in our “soul” with our understanding, will, emotions and desires; whilst in the “spirit” of the new man we rejoice in God.
2. Far from exalting herself, Mary confessed her lowliness, and recognised that she was nothing without the blessing of God (Luke 1:48). This is the stance of the Christian: we are nothing, and can do nothing without Jesus (John 15:5). However, with God, nothing is impossible to us (Luke 1:37; Matthew 17:20).
3. Mary accepted the work of God within her, and acknowledged His holiness (Luke 1:49). Gratitude plays a big part in all true Christian prayer. We must count our blessings, and be thankful (Lamentations 3:22-23).
4. Mary contrasted the plight of the wicked with the blessedness of God’s people (Luke 1:51-53). Those who satiate themselves with the things of this world are sent away with nothing but woe (53; cf. Luke 6:24-25). Those who yearn after the things of God receive the blessing (Matthew 5:6).
5. Mary remembered the covenant mercy of God (Luke 1:50; Luke 1:54-55; cf. Exodus 20:6). God’s mercy extends to generations of those who reverence Him. Through the One who was conceived within her the promise that Abraham would be a blessing to the nations was about to be fulfilled (Genesis 12:1-3).
III) CONCLUSION
Mary called God her Saviour (Luke 1:47). However, Jesus shares in the attributes and titles of God (Luke 2:11). He is indeed Emanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Amen.
C). ONE CHOSEN OUT OF THE PEOPLE.
Psalm 89:1-4; Psalm 89:19-26.
The Psalmist Ethan twice applauds the LORD’s mercy and faithfulness (Psalm 89:1-2). This reassurance is rooted in the LORD’s covenant promise to David (Psalm 89:3). The “seed” whose throne is “for ever” (Psalm 89:4) ultimately refers to the promised seed of the woman (cf. Genesis 3:15), and the singular seed of Abraham, ‘which is Christ’ (cf. Galatians 3:16).
David had wanted to build a house for the LORD (cf. 2 Samuel 7:1-2), but the LORD intended rather to build the ‘house’ - i.e., the dynasty - of David (cf. 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).
Psalm 89:19a. The “holy one” is the prophet Samuel, who anointed David (cf. 1 Samuel 16:13). Thus the LORD “laid help upon one that is mighty.” David was already mighty in the LORD, though of apparently lowly birth.
Psalm 89:19b. David was “one chosen out of the people”: one of themselves. The LORD took David ‘from following the sheep,’ and “exalted” him ‘to be ruler’ over His people Israel (cf. 2 Samuel 7:8). The LORD had sought a ‘man after His own heart,’ and found him in David (cf. Acts 13:22).
Yet David appears here very much as a type of Jesus Christ. Our Lord’s origins appear lowly: ‘laid in a manger’ at His birth (cf. Luke 2:7). He too is “chosen” by God. He, too, is “one chosen out of the people,” who, for the people, is “exalted” to represent us before the throne of God.
Psalm 89:20. “David my servant” becomes the LORD’s anointed. In this, too, David is a type of our Lord. Jesus is also “anointed” (as the title ‘Christ’ indicates), and Jesus is the Servant of the LORD par excellence (cf. Mark 10:45).
Psalm 89:21. It is only by God’s “hand” + “arm” (= strength) that David is a victor. There is a little refrain, ‘and the LORD preserved David wherever he went’ (cf. 2 Samuel 8:6b and 2 Samuel 8:14b). Jesus became a victor by submitting His will to the LORD, ‘and there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him’ (cf. Luke 22:42-43).
Psalm 89:22. Because of the LORD, enemies would be unable to stand before David (cf. 2 Samuel 7:9-10). The “wicked” would no longer be able to afflict him, or his people. Jesus has overcome even the ‘last enemy,’ which is death (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:26), on behalf of His people.
Psalm 89:23. Mr C. H. Spurgeon suggests, ‘God Himself thus fights the battles of His Son, and effectually overturns His foes’ (Treasury of David).
Psalm 89:24a. “My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him.” This connects back to the covenant language of Psalm 89:1-2. The faithfulness of the LORD undergirds all of his dealings with His people.
Psalm 89:24b. David is ‘exalted.’ Jesus is ‘exalted’ above all (cf. Philippians 2:9-11).
Psalm 89:25. The picture here is of the sway that David would have in an Empire which should stretch from the Mediterranean “sea” to the Euphrates “river.” This is a type of Christ’s dominion ‘from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth’ (cf. Psalm 72:8).
Psalm 89:26. David “shall” cry to the LORD, “my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.” Jesus would address the LORD as His “Father” often in prayer. David never did, nor anyone in the Old Testament: but we can (cf. Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6-7).
Jesus addressed the LORD as “my God” when on the Cross (cf. Mark 15:34).
Jesus is THE Son of God (Mark 1:11; Mark 9:7), and we are sons in Him (cf. Galatians 3:26). HE is “the rock of our salvation,” and David’s too (cf. 2 Samuel 22:47). ‘Neither is there salvation found in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved’ (cf. Acts 4:12).
D). A MYSTERY UNFOLDED.
Romans 16:25-27.
The Apostle Paul was a master of the long sentence, and the doxology of his letter to the Romans is a classic example. In these three verses Paul echoes the introduction (Romans 1:1-5), and gathers up some of the themes that have occupied his attention through the last 16 chapters. Here we acknowledge the power of God, marvel at the gospel, wonder at the evangelisation of the nations, and praise God for His wisdom.
1. Acknowledge the power of God (Romans 16:25).
The person who reads Romans has already seen God’s power to save us (Romans 1:16), but here we see this same dynamic at work to “establish” us. The Apostle longed to bring some spiritual nourishment to the church at Rome (Romans 1:11) - as he had to the churches which he had founded (Acts 14:21-22; Acts 15:41; Acts 18:23). Here he acknowledges that it is the Lord who brought us to birth who nurtures us, and establishes us in the way.
2. Marvel at the gospel (Romans 16:25-26).
The means that God uses to establish us is the same means that He used for our salvation: the gospel. Earlier Paul had called it “the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1), but later “my gospel” (Romans 2:16). It is the same “gospel concerning Jesus” (Romans 1:1-3) which was revealed to Paul, which is here called “my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ” (Romans 16:25).
Paul presents the gospel as REVEALED TRUTH. It is the key to unlocking the Old Testament (Romans 1:1-2; Romans 3:21-22). It is the revelation of a hitherto hidden mystery which at last comes to light when we discover Jesus “in all the scriptures” (Luke 24:27; Luke 24:44-45).
3. Wonder at the spreading of the gospel to all nations (Romans 16:26).
The manifestation of this revelation is according to a commandment of the everlasting God. This seems to refer to the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20). It is part of the mystery that non-Jews should be included in the commonwealth of Israel (Romans 11:25-26). Paul himself worked to see all nations brought to “the obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5).
4. Praise God for His wisdom (Romans 16:27).
Of all the attributes of God for which we might give God praise, Paul here singles out His wisdom (cf. Colossians 2:1-3). The preaching of the crucified Christ - a stumbling block to some, and foolishness to others - is nevertheless the power and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:22-24). Paul had already touched upon this wisdom in his earlier acclamation concerning the spread of the gospel (Romans 11:33).
It is apt, too, that we will one day join with the angels in praising God’s wisdom (Revelation 7:11-12).
E). ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD.
Luke 1:26-38.
The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, “a virgin espoused to man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David” (Luke 1:27). Gabriel hailed Mary as “highly favoured, the LORD is with thee: blessed art thou among women” (Luke 1:28). Mary was troubled at this saying: What manner of salutation might this be? she wondered (Luke 1:29).
Mary was again told by the angel, "You have found favour with God" (Luke 1:30). Mary would have a Son and name Him “Jesus.” Her Son would be called “the Son of the Highest,” and was destined to reign over the house of Jacob forever; “and of His kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:31-33)!
Mary inquired, "How can this possibly be since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34). How was God going to accomplish this thing? These were not words of unbelief, but of wonder and praise. We must be careful how we respond to the gospel. An honest questioning like that of Mary is acceptable, but unreasonable doubt prevents us from entering into the fullness of God’s blessing.
Gabriel informed Mary of God’s blessing upon Elizabeth with the reassurance that, “With God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:36-37). Many years later, Jesus told his disciples, ‘The things which are impossible with men are possible with God’ (cf. Luke 18:27). This is a great encouragement for all who address their prayers to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Concerning faith, Jesus also taught, ‘nothing shall be impossible to you’ (cf. Matthew 17:20).
The Virgin Mary submitted herself to the will of God and responded, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord. Let it be according to your word" (Luke 1:38). We too must believe the Word of God, and submit ourselves to the true and living God through His Son Jesus Christ.
