Temple building: What it takes to know God’s presence

Why do we want God in our life? Why should having God’s presence matter to us? For some, it springs from the desire to have a sense of security or guidance in life, provision, help or blessing. When in a tight spot and feeling unable to cope, we cry out for help – even unbelievers do so at times in the hope that Someone out there will hear. For others, the longing for God is a yearning for a spiritual reality, for meaning beyond a mundane existence. We were created for that fellowship with God and are restless until we find it. For most of us, these various reasons mix and merge into each other. But how do we get to God’s presence? How can we have fellowship with the Lord and experience rest, a meaningful life and God’s blessings?

God’s holy presence

For Israel, the answer was to have a temple for God, so He could dwell with His people. Significantly, the start of the temple building is dated to the exodus (1 Kings 6:1)[1] because God’s presence with His people is inextricably linked to the redemption from slavery and the relationship flowing from it. Unlike modern churches, ancient temples were not gathering places for worshippers but the earthly dwelling of a deity. Solomon’s temple was about L27 x W9 x H13.5m (1 Kings 6:2; 1 cubit = ca 45cm) and such modest proportions surely could not contain the Almighty God, which Solomon recognised (1 Kings 8:27). Nevertheless, God graciously consents to be present for His people in the temple in a real sense. The holiness of His dwelling is implied by two features noted in the description. The beams of the utility rooms built around three sides of the temple were not directly inserted into the temple walls (1 Kings 6:6) creating a separation from God’s holy sanctuary. Likewise, no tools were used on the temple stones on site, which is an extension of the prohibition against dressing stones of an altar and thereby profaning it (Exod 20:25).

Presence and obedience

The description of the building is interrupted by an important warning. Israel came to take God’s presence for granted in their later history and viewed the temple as a visible guarantee that the Lord was on their side no matter what (e.g. Jer 7:1-11). God, however, warns Solomon that enjoying His presence is contingent on obedience (1 Kings 6:11-13); He cannot be co-opted to approve our lifestyle. We submit to Him, not the other way around. Secondly, God’s holiness is like fire and our sins are like flammable material. We cannot sin and endure God’s presence without being destroyed by it (Exod 33:3). Third, sin by its very nature disrupts the relationship with God leading to fear, hiding and separation from Him (cf. Gen 3:8-10). As the description continues, the interior of the temple, the luxurious wood panelling, and the overlay of gold on everything (1 Kings 6:20-22) speak of the majesty of God. The palm and floral decorations evoke a lush garden and remind us of Eden, while the carved cherubs hint at the sanctity of God guarded by them (1 Kings 6:29, 32, 35). The reference to the ark of the covenant (1 Kings 6:19), which held the tablets with the Ten Commandments (1 Kings 8:9) once again connects God’s presence with covenant obedience.[2]

Knowing God’s presence

While the temple description is dry reading for us, Jewish exiles would have instantly picked up the clues we explored above. They were reminded, as are we, that God’s presence with us is always His gracious initiative. It begins when He saves us from being slaves to sin and calls us to serve Him instead. Although the Lord at times answers prayers even from unbelievers, we cannot control His presence, help, or approval. Only as we live faithfully for Him that we can know His life-giving presence. As Christians, this goes much deeper for us because God came to indwell us through His Holy Spirit. How much more seriously we should take God’s holiness and guard against deliberate sin when we are God’s temple individually and together as church (1 Cor 6:19; Eph 2:21-22)! May we know the joy of His presence as we walk with Him.

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[1] The number 480 seems to have some symbolic significance as it is made up of 12×40, though the exact meaning of this is not clear. Forty years was seen as a generation, and the number twelve corresponds to the number of tribes.

[2] The two cherubim described in the inner sanctuary (the Holy of Holies, 1 Kings 6:23-28) are either functioning as guardians here again or they hold up God’s (invisible) throne. The phrase ‘the Lord who sits/is enthroned above the cherubim (e.g. Exod 25:22; 1 Sam 4:4; 2 Sam 6:2; Ps 80:1) suggests the latter.

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