The aging warrior king David, who enjoyed a good fight as much as anyone but was too old for combat, found great consolation in Nathan’s prophetic words, “I will give you rest from all your enemies.”
He knew that sacred word was not for him alone. He had fought to create a small, independent kingdom, free from harassment of powerful neighbors like Egypt and Assyria, and free to worship their own God. A devout man despite his warrior instincts, David respected the Hebrew prophets and Levite priests who maintained the ancient traditions of Israel. He would not live to see his greatest project completed, the Temple, but he hoped that the House of God would anchor the people’s religious fidelity forever. From Zion, the Rock of Faith, and this Temple, a House of Prayer, God would maintain their national security and a prosperous peace. All nations would envy and admire Jerusalem’s splendor; they would come to the Holy City to learn its wisdom and worship its God.
"Can't we all just get along?" You might remember the rioting in Los Angeles after the police, who had severely beaten Rodney King, were acquitted. Amid rioting and looting, the bewildered victim wondered.
No, getting along will never be enough. Injustice must be addressed; evil must be atoned. If ancient nations streamed to Jerusalem to see the holiness of Solomon's temple, they also saw the injustice of orphaned and widowed beggars. Privileges were lavished on the privileged; and cruel neglect allotted to the rest. The wicked continued to afflict them as they did of old.
When the Son of David stood before Pontius Pilate a thousand years after King David's reign, he admitted, "My kingdom does not belong to this world."
His kingdom begins when we hear the cry of the poor and admit we have done wrong. The cry might be heard as we examine our conscience daily. Or it might be a gentle reminder like that of a friend who said to me, "You must not think, speak or act that way. It might have been acceptable at one time, though it never should have been. It is not okay now."
Even Jesus had to accept the implied rebuke of the woman who boldly declared, "The dogs eat the scraps that fall from the children's table." If he can change his attitude toward aliens and foreigners, I certainly can too.
We should also remember the Apostles who heard the complaint of the gentile Christian widows when their Jewish sisters were preferred. They did not surrender their authority as apostles in the nascent Church, but they recognized the injustice and appointed gentiles to share the responsibility and authority of Jewish deacons.
Despite his reverence the Warrior King David was not permitted to build the Temple. There was blood on his hands. He had much to atone. As we celebrate Christmas, we ask God to see our willingness to be rebuked, our humble confession of sins, and our readiness to change our attitudes and habits. We might yet be found worthy to know the Prince and his Kingdom of Peace.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.