It's Complicated (S2): WK 2 - MON
Psalm 132:1-5
LORD, remember David
and all that he suffered.
He made a solemn promise to the LORD.
He vowed to the Mighty One of Israel,
“I will not go home;
I will not let myself rest.
I will not let my eyes sleep
nor close my eyelids in slumber
until I find a place to build a house for the LORD,
a sanctuary for the Mighty One of Israel.”
2 Samuel 6:1-3
David again gathered all the elite troops in Israel, 30,000 in all. He led them to Baalah of
Judah to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the LORD of Heaven’s
Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. They placed the Ark of God on a
new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill.
This week, we examine 2 Samuel 6 and what David’s life teaches us about worship. If it seems like the study starts with a simple rearrangement of religious furniture, don’t be fooled. There’s much more to it than that.
Worship, at its core, celebrates that the “I Am” of Exodus 3:14—the One who “was and is and is to come” in Revelation 1:4—chooses to draw near and live with us. The creator of all things adopts the name Immanuel, ‘God with us’ (Matthew 1:23). The first chapter of the book of John describes Jesus’ mission of redemption. He is the Word. He is God. He was in the beginning. He is the Creator. And in verse 14, John says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The literal translation of the Greek is that Jesus “tabernacled” among us.
Throughout the Old Testament, God describes Himself and His desire for closeness using various metaphors and symbols. One of the most vivid images appears in the wilderness tabernacle that God commanded to be built at the center of the Israelites’ camp during their exodus from Egypt. God outlined every detail of this structure so that the story of salvation could be revealed. It included symbols representing the cross of Christ, His resurrection, prayer, and forgiveness. In the innermost part of the tabernacle sat a gold-covered acacia wood box called the Ark of the Covenant.
Two golden angels faced each other on the lid of this special box. The space between them was called the mercy seat. It was here that the most unmistakable evidence of God’s presence, called the Shekinah Glory, shone and hovered, announcing that Yahweh dwelled among His people. The Glory of God was no longer high atop Mount Sinai delivering the Ten Commandments, or drifting across the night sky guiding the people through the desert. God had closed the gap and come to dwell in the heart of their mobile town.
Time has passed since those desert wanderings. It is now about 400 years after the Exodus from Egypt. King Saul has died, and David has taken the throne. Recently, in our story, the northern and southern kingdoms have been unified, Jerusalem has been captured, and made the capital. David leads all of Israel as a passionate follower of Yahweh. However, there are two issues. First, there is no permanent house for God in the City of David. And second, the Ark of the Covenant is missing from the people. Because of mistreatment and neglect, this symbol of God’s presence has been stolen by enemies, exiled, and then returned. Now, it sits neglected in a house on a hill in Kiriath-jearim.
David’s response to the absence of Yahweh’s presence is an act of worship. He sets out to elevate the Ark to the heart of the nation. The longing to be right with God, to give Jesus space at the center of our lives as He stands at the door knocking (Revelation 3:20), reflects this same impulse. So open up, feel His acceptance, receive His forgiveness… worship.
1. What big items are on your to-do list for today? Which ones still exist from yesterday’s
list? What makes it easy to neglect one of these tasks?
2. Is there a place that you find it easiest to experience the presence of God? Where is
that? Why do you think this location makes God feel close?
3. What are three priorities in your life? Which one competes most with the space you
believe God should occupy? What would you like to say to God about that?
LORD, remember David
and all that he suffered.
He made a solemn promise to the LORD.
He vowed to the Mighty One of Israel,
“I will not go home;
I will not let myself rest.
I will not let my eyes sleep
nor close my eyelids in slumber
until I find a place to build a house for the LORD,
a sanctuary for the Mighty One of Israel.”
2 Samuel 6:1-3
David again gathered all the elite troops in Israel, 30,000 in all. He led them to Baalah of
Judah to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the LORD of Heaven’s
Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. They placed the Ark of God on a
new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill.
This week, we examine 2 Samuel 6 and what David’s life teaches us about worship. If it seems like the study starts with a simple rearrangement of religious furniture, don’t be fooled. There’s much more to it than that.
Worship, at its core, celebrates that the “I Am” of Exodus 3:14—the One who “was and is and is to come” in Revelation 1:4—chooses to draw near and live with us. The creator of all things adopts the name Immanuel, ‘God with us’ (Matthew 1:23). The first chapter of the book of John describes Jesus’ mission of redemption. He is the Word. He is God. He was in the beginning. He is the Creator. And in verse 14, John says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The literal translation of the Greek is that Jesus “tabernacled” among us.
Throughout the Old Testament, God describes Himself and His desire for closeness using various metaphors and symbols. One of the most vivid images appears in the wilderness tabernacle that God commanded to be built at the center of the Israelites’ camp during their exodus from Egypt. God outlined every detail of this structure so that the story of salvation could be revealed. It included symbols representing the cross of Christ, His resurrection, prayer, and forgiveness. In the innermost part of the tabernacle sat a gold-covered acacia wood box called the Ark of the Covenant.
Two golden angels faced each other on the lid of this special box. The space between them was called the mercy seat. It was here that the most unmistakable evidence of God’s presence, called the Shekinah Glory, shone and hovered, announcing that Yahweh dwelled among His people. The Glory of God was no longer high atop Mount Sinai delivering the Ten Commandments, or drifting across the night sky guiding the people through the desert. God had closed the gap and come to dwell in the heart of their mobile town.
Time has passed since those desert wanderings. It is now about 400 years after the Exodus from Egypt. King Saul has died, and David has taken the throne. Recently, in our story, the northern and southern kingdoms have been unified, Jerusalem has been captured, and made the capital. David leads all of Israel as a passionate follower of Yahweh. However, there are two issues. First, there is no permanent house for God in the City of David. And second, the Ark of the Covenant is missing from the people. Because of mistreatment and neglect, this symbol of God’s presence has been stolen by enemies, exiled, and then returned. Now, it sits neglected in a house on a hill in Kiriath-jearim.
David’s response to the absence of Yahweh’s presence is an act of worship. He sets out to elevate the Ark to the heart of the nation. The longing to be right with God, to give Jesus space at the center of our lives as He stands at the door knocking (Revelation 3:20), reflects this same impulse. So open up, feel His acceptance, receive His forgiveness… worship.
1. What big items are on your to-do list for today? Which ones still exist from yesterday’s
list? What makes it easy to neglect one of these tasks?
2. Is there a place that you find it easiest to experience the presence of God? Where is
that? Why do you think this location makes God feel close?
3. What are three priorities in your life? Which one competes most with the space you
believe God should occupy? What would you like to say to God about that?
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