I am currently closing out my study on the life of David. We completed the book of Second Samuel and now we are studying his last days through the books of First Chronicles and First Kings. As I read through chapter twenty-two in First Chronicles, David’s command to the leaders of Israel to help his son struck me with depth, and I wanted to share it. Here is David’s charge to them:
Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God: arise, therefore and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy vessels of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the LORD.
While reading this particular verse the Holy Spirit quickened my mind to several New Testament passages…
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.
1 Corinthians 3:9-17
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But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;
1 Corinthians 4:7
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And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:17-22
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Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.” Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
2 Timothy 2:19-21
So beloved, for us here thousands of years later, the command of David remains the same. Except the Son of David we have been called to serve is not Solomon, but Jesus, Son of David and Son of God. The house we have been called to build is not made of wood and stone or even gold, but of every tribe, nation, people, and tongue.
From Genesis to Revelation the heart of God can be seen and His purpose for us remains the same. He created us to know Him, to walk with Him, and He desires that we be a part of the life and light that is eternally Him. He doesn’t have to have us or use us. He is completely self-sufficient and all-powerful, but He chooses us and He wants to include us in His beautiful work of the ages.
Now have you set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God? If you have: arise, therefore, and build. For we must be busy about our Father’s business. There are vessels waiting to be made holy so that they might be brought into the house of God.