God's Temple: 2 Samuel 7:1-17

It’s always better to get on board with what God is doing than hope God is on board with what we are doing.  We can make good plans.  We can have impressive dreams.  We cannot ever dream as big as God can plan. 

David goes to the prophet Nathan and tells him he wants to build a temple to God.  While he doesn’t specifically ask Nathan to inquire of the Lord through the urim and thummim or the ephod, at least David talks about his plans with a prophet.  Nathan sees nothing wrong with building God a temple, nor can he understand why God wouldn’t want a place to bring Him honor.  Therefore, Nathan approves.

We continue to see examples of people who assume God would approve and therefore they don’t officially check in with God.  Why wouldn’t God want a temple demonstrating His greatness, reminding people how much they should worship Him?  It is natural for a people to make edifices declaring the greatness of their god!  Almost every society with religion has left some kind of religious edifice – up to their building capabilities, of course.

The problem is God has a different plan.  God doesn’t want David to build the temple.  The temple isn’t a bad idea.  It simply isn’t God’s idea.  It’s a good idea, but since it doesn’t come from God it isn’t a great idea.

God speaks to Nathan, and Nathan returns to David to deliver a three-pronged message.  God’s first point is a reminder to David about how God does not need a temple.  He has never dwelled in a temple nor has He asked for a temple.  What use does God have of a building?  Can a building even contain God’s presence?  Can a building ever come close to demonstrating His glory?

The second message is a personal message to David.  David has gotten prideful.  God brought David out of the pasture.  God cut off David’s enemies.  God appointed where Israel should dwell.  God makes houses for people, people don’t make houses for God.  This is the conviction David needed to hear.  This message is brought about by his recent impulsiveness.  David has been busy acting upon God’s behalf.  David has reversed the roles of this relationship.

Finally, God delivers a message for the future.  David’s son will build a temple, and David’s kingdom will be established forever.  Solomon will build the temple, but more importantly faith will be passed from generation to generation until Jesus, a descendent of David, comes.  Through Jesus, the true temple of God is revealed to be our hearts, where God sends His Spirit to dwell.

God’s plan for a temple is so much bigger than David’s plan for a temple.  David had a good idea, but he didn’t understand God’s plan because he didn’t take time to ask.  It’s always better to get on board with what God is doing than hope God is on board with what we are doing.