God will build himself an eternal house
King David had a desire to build a house for God, a permanent temple for God to dwell in. But how do you build a house for such a great God, who spoke through the prophet Isaiah and said:
“…“Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?” Isaiah 66:1 NKJV
By this God indicated that he did not want to dwell in a house made by human hands. Yet Solomon, the son of David built for God a house. The first permanent temple in Jerusalem, the city of David.
Stephen, in the book of Acts, spoke by revelation of the Holy Spirit and said:
““However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: ‘Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the LORD, Or what is the place of My rest? Has My hand not made all these things?’” Acts 7:48-50 NKJV
God had made a promise to David in the Davidic Covenant: “And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.” 2 Samuel 7:12-13 KJV
We established, when we discussed the promise of the New Covenant, that The Seed is Christ who was going to be birthed from the bowels/womb of the Virgin Mary by divine conception.
Unto Christ was promised the house and the kingdom that endures forever, and a New Covenant under which the Gentiles would come to the knowledge of God.
“…And I will make an everlasting covenant with you— The sure mercies of David. Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, A leader and commander for the people. Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, And nations who do not know you shall run to you, Because of the LORD your God, And the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you.”” Isaiah 55:3-5 NKJV
The bringing in of the Gentiles into the flock of Christ under the New Covenant was going to happen after the glorification of Christ through his death on the cross. Christ was made heir of the Gentiles by his death on the cross.
With all that has been said above, the Holy Spirit now sheds light and gives us a revelation of the words of Psalm 127 that makes our hearts leap for joy. David spoke these words to his heir, Solomon concerning the building of the house of the Lord :
“Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.”
Psalms 127:1 NKJV – God himself provided a faithful watchman, the One true Shepherd over his house, our Lord Jesus Christ. All other shepherds who had come before; judges, kings and the Levitical priesthood had failed to build God the house that God required, righteousness was an elusive dream.
“It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.” Psalms 127:2 NKJV
The priests of the Old Covenant laboured under the system of daily offering of sacrifices which only served as a yearly reminder of the sins of the people. The sacrifices could never take away sin. True righteousness was only going to come through the ‘sleep’ or death of the Beloved at Calvary.
“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.” Psalms 127:3, 5 NKJV
A heritage or inheritance is something that can only be obtained after the death of the person who promised it. The children of the New Covenant were only going to come after the death and glorification of Christ.
That which God spoke by the prophet Isaiah concerning the risen Christ was fulfilled, “I have raised him up in righteousness and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward…” Isaiah 45:13 KJV
Christ redeemed the children of Israel from the curse of the Law and brought the Gentiles into his flock by breaking down the enmity that existed because of the Law. The power and shame of sin was taken away. He established the true temple, not made by human hands, but a spiritual house of people built up by the redemptive work of Christ. These are people in whom the presence of God dwells by his Holy Spirit. The true tabernacle and temple of God.
Reflection:
- Are you born again?
- Have you acknowledged your own sin and your sinful nature before God? Romans 3:23
- Realising that man cannot save himself, do you acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God who died to save us from sin and death and the judgement of God? Romans 6:23 and Hebrews 9:27-28
- Faith in your heart is followed by confession with the mouth of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He comes into your heart to live in you by his Spirit. Romans10:10-13