“Dad, I Hope You’re Pleased” – Part Three

This divine recognition fails to satisfy David given the sincerity with which he holds this dream.  Nevertheless, circumstances of time, resources, occupation force David to accept he will not accomplish his dream of building the Temple.

Can we not relate?  What happens when we must face the hard reality we will not complete everything on our “To Do” list?  I recall an author who recently succumbed to an early death due to an incurable disease.  In an interview shortly before his death, he lamented the fact that his life would soon be finished without being complete.  Similarly, David grapples with the fact that his life will end without his seeing the Temple of the Lord.  Likewise, Moses who leads the Israelites during forty years of wilderness wandering must resign himself to God’s decision that he, Moses, would not physically see nor live in the Promised Land.  We, like David and Moses, have magnanimous dreams we may not achieve due to any number of unforeseen situations.

Then, the question becomes “What do we do to compensate for this possibility?”

We Share David’s Frustration of an Unfulfilled Heartfelt Dream

Certainly, each father can empathize with David’s lamentable predicament.  The patriarch in The Godfather, Vito Corleone, bemoans to his youngest son, Michael, that he, the father, was running out of time in his pursuit of elevating the family’s status in the world.  You recall he says, “I want to see Governor Corleone, Senator Corleone, Congressman Corleone, and one day even President Corleone.  But, Michael, there is not enough time.” Then the son, Michael, played by Al Pacino, says, “Dad, don’t worry, we’ll get it done.  Don’t worry Pop.”

It appears that all fathers want to exit the stage of life knowing their families will be more secure – financially, spiritually and socially.  They want to know their children and grandchildren will enjoy a higher standard of living.  Further, fathers want this privilege, in turn, to empower future generations to change the world.  Fathers want to know their posterity will make the world a more just and equitable place for all God’s children to live.

What does a father do with the ashes of his dreams?  He could cynically fill an urn with his resentment, bitterness, anger and pity.  Like David, a father has a chance to take the nuggets of his eternal and heartfelt dreams and deposit them in the minds and hearts of his son.

David Fulfills His Dream Through Solomon

In a most gracious way as the Lord denies David’s request to build the Temple, He immediately tells David that David’s dream will be realized through Solomon.  That divine counsel reorients David’s priorities for the balance of his earthly life.  The Lord says to David, “I have chosen Solomon to be my son, and I will be his father.”  Accordingly, Solomon shall build the Temple of the Lord.

In direct response to the Lord’s instructions, David imparts the vision of the Temple to Solomon.  He explains its critical importance and prepares the way for Solomon.  Like a pioneer clearing out a plot of wilderness, David develops blue prints; gathers the supplies; organizes a labor pool; and negotiates trade alliances.  Then, he metaphorically lays the foundation of the Temple by teaching all of this information to Solomon.  Ironically, David fulfills his dream through his son.

Solomon Builds and Dedicates The Temple

In 2 Chronicles 6:7-9, Solomon relates to the people of Israel his father’s, David, dream for building the Temple.  Solomon tells them that the Lord complimented David for having had the dream.  “Because it was in your heart to build a temple for my Name, you did well to have this in your heart.  Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, who is your own flesh and blood - he is the one who will build the temple for my Name.”  Standing at the dedication of the Temple, Solomon relates his version of his father’s lifelong and heartfelt dream that he, Solomon, inherited.

The remainder of 2 Chronicles 6 records Solomon’s prayer of dedication for the Temple.  He offers one of the most interesting and inspiring prayers in the Bible.  In his petitions, Solomon characterizes the Temple as a “house of prayer for all people.”  He pleads with Almighty God to turn His eyes upon the Temple at all hours of the day and night and hear the prayers of His servants.  More specifically, Solomon intercedes for all people and asks God to “forgive and deal with each man according to all he does since you know his heart (for your alone know the hearts of men.”  Furthermore, Solomon, in verses 32 and 33, asks God to hear the prayers of all “foreigners” and even those “who do not know You.”