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2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.” Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.”But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying: “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. “‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’”

Continue scrolling to read reflection.

By: The Rev. Craig Stephans

The Text from the book of Samuel includes the discussion between God and the prophet Nathan about the Lord’s house. David had wanted to build the Lord a temple in which he could dwell. Solomon would later build the Temple of the Lord. In the book of Acts, Stephen quotes Isaiah in his rebuke of the religious leaders regarding the house of God. He says, “Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, “‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things?’ (Acts 7:48-50)

In reflecting on these Scriptures and so many more about God’s house or dwelling place, I can’t help but think about how God made his house for nine months a womb of flesh and blood. The Holy Spirit conceived the Son of God inside of Mary. Her womb became the Lord’s home for nine months, as he grew as baby. This God who created all things came to live not just in his creation but inside the womb belonging to His creature. Every baby living in his or her mother’s womb lives in a place where God himself as dwelt. This reality reminds me of Jacob’s words upon waking from a dream in which he saw the door of heaven opened and God speaking to him. Jacob awoke and said, “”How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.'” (Genesis 28:17)

I think every womb could be called sacred space where God visits and creates life. God is the author of life; He is present in the womb writing His image upon each person conceived in that place with which He is so intimately familiar. The womb carrying the child is truly the house of God and the gate of heaven.