Advent 4: Old Testament, 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16                       

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Jesus is coming. That brief thought should find places to swirl in our thoughts at every point this time of year. And perhaps not just swirl, but find a place to settle in. Jesus is coming. And when He comes again there will never, ever be a time when we are not with Him. Have you ever pondered that? The people of Israel, when they began to see themselves as a people with a real identity marked themselves by God’s presence with them. From tabernacle days onward, God was with His people. Well almost always. Promises had been made and kept to Adam, to Noah, to Abraham and his sons and now, in today’s reading we have the foundational pieces of the Davidic Covenant.

Nathan the prophet speaks to David, seeing that David seeks to secure the presence of the Lord by building Him a permanent dwelling. Not to doubt David’s motives, but David’s counsel comes from Nathan before either consults the Lord Himself. Nathan speaks, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you” ( 2 Sam. 7:3). Was that a true declaration? Indeed. God was with David, and although building a permanent dwelling out of brick and mortar was a great desire of David’s heart, God’s presence wasn’t and isn’t now dependent upon it.

In our reading the tables turn and God speaks promises, founded on the promises of the past, and will provide a “house” for David. But oh, what surrounds that promise of a house. “David, you were a shepherd of the sheep. Now you will be a shepherd of my people. Another Shepherd will come and will secure, in your name and bloodline, a place for my people, protection for my people and even a Kingdom for my people.” That’s what I take the Lord to be saying, but in all of it is this, “I have been with you wherever you went” (v. 9). And isn’t just like our Lord? Even in our best machinations and plans, God outdoes us. Every. Single. Time.

When Jesus comes as the Shepherd and King of Israel, He first chooses His tabernacle and it is the human body given to Him by His blessed mother. Then in gift of resurrection and Pentecost, He makes his other “body” his tabernacle. That’s us! So today and in all the days to come-even to the time when time and days shall no longer be counted-He shall be with us in His body and in us as His body. And for how long is this promise to David good? 2 Samuel 7:16, “And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.”

Now that’s a promise!