The Holy Bible is full of information about the marriage and family which we share during our teaching. However the primary Bible passage we use as foundational for our ministry is Psalms 127.
“Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. 2) It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. 3) Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4) As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5) Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” (KJV)
The psalmist in Psalm 127:1 makes a profound theological declaration that is hard to ignore. It explodes with theological alarm for every person individually and collectively in America and around the world. “Except the Lord build this house, they labour in vain who build the house . . . . “(KJV) This Bible verse does not say that we could not build our own houses our way. It simply alarms us that building lives without the Heavenly Father is like building condemned houses. Who do we know desires to build condemned houses?
More importantly, the meaning of the HOUSE in the Holy Bible has many connotations. Just to name a few, house refers to non-living structures that provides shelter or place of assembly. However, the greater connotation is the HOUSE made of flesh and blood through which God manifests His majestic purposes and divine glory.
The biblical understanding of HOUSE has several meanings and connotations that touch all aspects of our lives. This is so often overlooked. First, House is understood metaphorically as the physical body of an individual. We recall the time when Jesus gave a parable depicting an individual as a HOUSE with an unclean spirit which returning with seven others with him (Matt 12:43-45).
Secondly, in another passage, HOUSE is a referred to a household or nuclear family. The prophet Joshua made it famous declaration to a nation “as for me and my house we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24: 15). Joshua took full responsibility for his personal household just as we should.
Thirdly, House is also referred to as family lineage. King David refers to his family lineage as the HOUSE of David through the Lion of Judah (the Christ) emerges. Today, we are short-sighted. We overlook what greatness God will do through our family lineages. God sees family generationally. We need to regain a generational perspective of family as the Lord does.
Fourthly, House is understood as a holy nation. When God created Israel from the dung heap of Hebrew slavery, it became the HOUSE of Israel (Exodus 16:31 and 40: 30). The Lord God chose people from nothing and made them something, a holy nation for His glory and goodness to spread though out the whole world.
Lastly, connotation of HOUSE is the Holy Church which the Lord builds by his Holy Spirit. Jesus says, “Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell cannot stand against it.” (Matt. 16:18) The church is also referred to a spiritual house, a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2: 5). The church is also referred to the house of God and the household of God ( Eph. 2: 19).
The whole point is all 5 connotations of HOUSE affects our entire lives. We unfortunately miss the truth that our individual bodies, our homes, our marriages, our children, our families, our nation and the holy church are inextricably intertwined with God as the “builder of all things”(Hebrews 3:4). When we perceive the Lord as the “builder of all things,” then our understanding of “except the Lord build the house” makes perfect sense.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord . . . .”(Psalms 33: 12)
Our challenge is to fight for the family and help them rebuild their houses by a new blueprint. Then we’ll be able to thrive and live our lives to the fullness with the prescribed purpose for which he made us. Hallelujah!