Does God make any demand on us? Not that I know of.
I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling.
In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" (2 Samuel 7:6-7)
God had been accompanying the Israelites, wandering in the wilderness for forty years. God also fought for them to give them Canaan. He raised legendary heroes to deliver them from the enemies. At last, God gave them a king at their demand. In short, God had been wandering along with them. This was how the author of the books of Samuel saw it. In fact, God is omnipresent. He is everywhere. God does not live a house on earth. Didn't the author know this? He knew. His view is shared by the prophets. Listen to Isaiah.
Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool; what is the house which you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?
All these things my hand has made, and so all these things are mine, says the LORD (Isaiah 66:1-2a).
But the author needed to explain the building of the Jerusalem Temple by Solomon, not David. He put it in the mouth of Nathan.
I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling.
In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" (2 Samuel 7:6-7)
God had been accompanying the Israelites, wandering in the wilderness for forty years. God also fought for them to give them Canaan. He raised legendary heroes to deliver them from the enemies. At last, God gave them a king at their demand. In short, God had been wandering along with them. This was how the author of the books of Samuel saw it. In fact, God is omnipresent. He is everywhere. God does not live a house on earth. Didn't the author know this? He knew. His view is shared by the prophets. Listen to Isaiah.
Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool; what is the house which you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?
All these things my hand has made, and so all these things are mine, says the LORD (Isaiah 66:1-2a).
But the author needed to explain the building of the Jerusalem Temple by Solomon, not David. He put it in the mouth of Nathan.
God did not allow David to take the initiative to do Him any favour. Rather, He would demand whatever He wants in His designated time, at His pleasure. So, Nathan proclaimed to David.
Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house.
When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever (2 Samuel 7:11b-13).
This is the famous Nathan Oracle. David would not build the Jerusalem Temple. Solomon would. Moreover, God would establish the throne of Solomon's kingdom forever.
The fact is, the kingdom was divided from the death of Solomon. The northern kingdom was conquered by the Assyrians in 722 B.C. and the southern kingdom by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. After 50 years of exile in Babylon, the Persian king Cyrus conquered Babylon and sent the Jews home to build the second Jerusalem Temple. Subsequently, the Jews were conquered by the Greeks and Romans respectively. How would the throne of Solomon continue forever? This gave rise to the Messianic hope. The Messiah, who would be a descendant of David, would rebuild Israel. The hope became more feverish under the Roman rule. Then Jesus Christ was born quietly in Bethlehem, the hometown of David. Some thirty years later, he was crucified. His resurrection and the descent of the Holy Spirit inspired his followers to build up a new universal Israel, the Church. History is unfolded, showing how much God has done for us all. What have we done in return? Once more, does God demand anything from us? Not that I know of.
Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house.
When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever (2 Samuel 7:11b-13).
This is the famous Nathan Oracle. David would not build the Jerusalem Temple. Solomon would. Moreover, God would establish the throne of Solomon's kingdom forever.
The fact is, the kingdom was divided from the death of Solomon. The northern kingdom was conquered by the Assyrians in 722 B.C. and the southern kingdom by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. After 50 years of exile in Babylon, the Persian king Cyrus conquered Babylon and sent the Jews home to build the second Jerusalem Temple. Subsequently, the Jews were conquered by the Greeks and Romans respectively. How would the throne of Solomon continue forever? This gave rise to the Messianic hope. The Messiah, who would be a descendant of David, would rebuild Israel. The hope became more feverish under the Roman rule. Then Jesus Christ was born quietly in Bethlehem, the hometown of David. Some thirty years later, he was crucified. His resurrection and the descent of the Holy Spirit inspired his followers to build up a new universal Israel, the Church. History is unfolded, showing how much God has done for us all. What have we done in return? Once more, does God demand anything from us? Not that I know of.
Hasn't God told Noah to build an Ark? Yes God has in order to save a remnant to rebuild humanity.
Hasn't God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? Yes God has in order to establish Abraham as the father of faith.
Hasn't God told Israel to obey the 10 commandments? Yes God has to build them us as a nation of priests, a holy people.
The author of the Torah saw that whatever God tells us to do is for our good. The Psalter concurs.
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes (Psalm 19:7-8)
Therefore, God makes no demand on us. His instructions are good for us, to help realize the potentials He has given us.
Hasn't God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? Yes God has in order to establish Abraham as the father of faith.
Hasn't God told Israel to obey the 10 commandments? Yes God has to build them us as a nation of priests, a holy people.
The author of the Torah saw that whatever God tells us to do is for our good. The Psalter concurs.
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes (Psalm 19:7-8)
Therefore, God makes no demand on us. His instructions are good for us, to help realize the potentials He has given us.
Dear Lord, what can I do for You? Allow me to do Your will with the gifts You have bestowed on me. Amen.
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