There is a most beautiful prayer one can pray that finds its origin in the days of David, the Beloved.
... and it has to do with a house, a dwelling place for God ...
The prayer is in response to one of the most astonishing and breathtaking actions of God with regards to man. It is the heart warm response of the beloved to the fact that God says the He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5). It is the response to God in us the Hope of Glory (Col 1:27). It is the response to God being so close to us - even in our hearts and in our mouths (Rom 10:8).
So, what's the background?
King David had just brought the ark of God to Jerusalem (place of peace) from Baale Jehudah (the masters of Judah - those who kept them in subjection) a place in Palestinian after defeating the Philistines (the subjudicators themselves, the enemy).
David is overwhelmed. He decides to build God a house, a temple to dwell in and shares his ambitious with the prophet Nathan (giver).
What is God's response?
That night God gives His Word on the matter to Nathan to convey to David.
Essentially God tells David that He will not allow the beloved to build Him a dwelling place. Rather, He God, would build the beloved a dwelling place, a throne and kingdom that would stand and last forever - Jesus!
God tells David that He, in fact, never left him through all the years, the battles and journeys ... "And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth." 2Sa 7:9
It is Solomon (peace, completeness, rest, wellnes) who would build the dwelling place and "I will be his father, and he shall be my son" (verse 14) - talking about Father and Son. Talking about Abba and His Son, Jesus, the Prince of Peace!
... continued into prophecy ...
The second part of verse 14 is profound. God says here that He would bring onto Him (His Son) the chastening for the iniquities of the sons of Adam. [Comment: Our Bibles translations are a bit limiting.]
Look at a literal translation: "... whom in his dealings perversely I have even reproved with a rod of men, and with strokes of the sons of Adam" YLT 2 Sam 7:14. Even translating directly from the Hebrew the verse says: "Iniquity I will chastened with the rod onto Him, even the plaques and afflictions of the sons of Adam."
HalleluYAH!
What's with the house?
David proceeds with a beautiful prayer when he realizes the depth of what God is saying (verses 18 to 29).
The prayer ends with David saying: “And now, O Master יהוה, You are Elohim, and Your words are true, and You have spoken this goodness to Your servant.
“And now, be pleased to bless the house of Your servant, to be before You, forever. For You, O Master יהוה, have spoken it, and with Your blessing let the house of Your servant be blessed forever.” 2 Sa 7:28-29.
House can also refer to family and household or body of people or a vessel to contain.
...but ...
What is the word house really picturing?
House = bayith בּית. Three Hebrew letters:
י - the letter for hand, make or mine; and
ת - the letter for covenant, seal, sign (the ancient symbol is a cross)
The word-picture (pictograph): house mine covenant.
Can you see it?
The dwelling place makes His covenant complete!
The dwelling place is the very target of His affection!
It is the very place in question, the locality, the physical human body that God says He will indwell with His Spirit of Peace.
It is the resting place that God prepared for Himself to abide in forever through Jesus ...
IT IS YOU!
He says He stands at the door knocking.
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Rev 3:20