The Eternal Covenant

The Eternal Covenant

1 Chronicles 17:1~15

□ Praise and Sharing

 [New Hymn] #208 My Lord's Kingdom and

 

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Visit to Incheon Airport and Immigration Office by Pakistani One Brother

 

As David settled into his comfortable home, the thought that the Ark of the Covenant of God was under the tent weighed heavily on his mind. So he wanted to build God's house with all his might. But God puts the brakes on David's thoughts and does not allow them. Because God has never been bound to any building or place. God, who is absolutely free, says that he will continue to preserve his kingdom forever through David's descendants according to his good will. According to this everlasting covenant, Jesus Christ, the King of kings, came to this earth.

 

□ Words and Sharing

1. David planned to build the temple with a good heart, but God had different thoughts (verses 1-6).

1) When David was troubled by the fact that the Ark of the Covenant was in the tabernacle (tent) and not in the temple (building), what advice did the prophet Nathan give (verses 1-2)?

1 Now it came to pass, when David was living in his palace, that he said to Nathan the prophet, Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD dwelleth under curtains. 2 Nathan said to David, Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.

The prophet Nathan tells David to do whatever is in his heart, for God is with him.

 

2) Contrary to David and the prophet Nathan’s expectations, how does God speak (verses 3-6)?

3 That night the word of God came to Nathan, saying, 4 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: You shall not build me a house to dwell in. 5 I have not been in a house since the day that I brought Israel up out of Egypt until this day, but have been from tent to tent, from tabernacle to tabernacle. 6 In all the places where I have gone with all Israel, did I say anything to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, ‘Why have you not built me ​​a house of cedar?’”

 

Go and tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: 'You shall not build me a house to dwell in. I have not been in a house since the day that I brought Israel up from Egypt until this day, but have been from tent to tent, from tabernacle to tabernacle. In all the places where I have gone with all Israel, did I say anything to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, 'Why have you not built me ​​a house of cedar?'

 

<Sharing 1> God’s thoughts may be different from man’s thoughts. So, even if something seems obvious, we should not guess, and we should ask God for His will every time. Let us share with each other how we are asking and discovering the Lord’s will.

 

I am asking and discovering the will of the Lord through the Word of God, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

 

2. It was not David who built the house for God, but God who built the house for David (vv. 7-15).

1) What did God promise to David when he wanted to build a temple for God (verses 7-10)?

7 “And you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD Almighty: ‘I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, and I made you ruler over my people Israel. 8 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a name like the great men of the earth. 9 I will appoint a place for my people Israel and plant them and let them live there. They will never move again, nor will the wicked harm them as before.

10 Not as in the days when I commanded judges to be over my people Israel; I will subdue all your enemies before you. And I tell you that the LORD will set up a king for you.

Thus says the LORD Almighty: “I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, and I made you ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a name like the great men of the earth. And I tell you again that the Lord promises to establish a dynasty for you.”

 

2) Through whom does God build God’s house (temple) (verses 11-12)?

11 When your days are fulfilled and you go to your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever.

 

One of David's descendants, one of David's sons, will build a house for God.

 

3) What covenant does God give to David (verses 13-14)?

13 I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will not take my kindness away from him, as I took it from the one who was before you. 14 I will establish him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne will be established forever.”

 

God gives a covenant that David's descendants will establish God's house and God's kingdom forever, and his throne will be established forever.

 

<Sharing 2> David wanted to build a house for God, but instead God said that He would establish a dynasty for David. Even when we work passionately for God, God is actually working with even greater passion for us. If you have ever experienced God's grace that is greater than the love you have given, please share it.

 

When I decided to dedicate myself to being a missionary, God gave me the grace to serve the entire world through foreign ministry and MIC Mission.

 

<Sharing 3> God's covenant to establish God's house and nation through David's descendants was fulfilled through Jesus Christ. Now, those who believe in Jesus Christ are the temple in which God dwells. Let's share how our community is being built as a temple for God.

 

Let us strive even harder to build our community into a temple for God through words, prayers, love, and service.

 

□Let's pray together

Lord, help us to carry out Your work according to Your will, not our passion.

May our community be built into a temple for God through words, prayers, love, and service!

 

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