The Presence of the Lord in the House of the Lord
1 Kings 8:10, 11
And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,…


The Shechinah, which is here referred to, was a most brilliant and glorious light, usually concealed by a cloud; a fit emblem, therefore, of Jehovah, the God of light and of glory, who is retied from His creatures. As the visible symbol of the Divine presence, "the pillar of cloud and fire," had gone before Israel in the wilderness, proving their guide and defence. Suddenly and mysteriously it appeared in the new temple of Solomon, at the festival of dedication, giving Divine sanction to the work, and assuring all beholders that Jehovah had made that His dwelling place. Not only was the holy of holies filled with the cloud, but the holy place also, indeed, the whole building was permeated by it, so that all the building was henceforth holy. The signs of the Divine presence are different now, but the reality of it may be consciously felt. "Where two or three are met together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." The New Testament counterpart of this manifestation is found in the upper room on the day of Pentecost, when "suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting" (Acts 2:2). Compare these two manifestations: the splendour of the temple, with the poverty of the upper room; the narrowness of national rejoicing, with the breadth of worldwide preaching, etc. Let us seek the changeless inward truth underlying the changeful outward form which embodies it.

I. THE PREPARATION FOR THE DIVINE PRESENCE. Read the account of that which, on the part of the people, had preceded this display.

1. Sacred memories were recalled. The worn tent, the ark, the holy vessels, had just been brought in (ver. 4), and glorious yet tender associations were connected with each. The revival of old impressions made in youth, etc., makes the heart sensitive to the Spirit of God. Give examples.

2. Divine law was enthroned. "Nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone" (ver. 9). Disobedience to God's commands, forgetfulness of them, unfits us for seeing Him. It deteriorates character, debases the heart. "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? he that hath clean hands and a pure heart," etc.

3. God's claims were recognized. By the completion of the temple, by the multitudinous sacrifices (ver. 5). The willingness to give our. selves up to God prepares us to see Him as our God. Not the intellectual research, but the reverent submission discovers Him. "Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven." "He that doeth the will of my Father shall know of the doctrine." "We beseech you, there. fore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present yourselves a living sacrifice," etc.

4. Earnest prayers were offered. Solomon's prayer, which follows, was but the formal and public utterance of many secret prayers on the part of himself and others. See how often he spoke to God about this building, and how often God spoke to him. He and his people prayed above all things that the special glory of the tabernacle might be granted to the temple. Now the prayers were answered. "Ask and ye shall receive," etc. The apostles expected the Holy Spirit; but in order to receive the fulfilment of the Lord's promise, "they continued, with one accord, in prayer and supplication."

II. THE EFFECTS OF THE DIVINE PRESENCE. We do not refer to the special and immediate effects of the cloud, but to the moral and religious effect of the presence thus symbolized.

1. It restored significance to old symbols. The ark had lost much of its sanctity in the eyes of the people, as the conduct of Uzzah showed. This naturally arose from its frequent removals, its uncovering, its capture by the Philistines, and most of all from the absence of the Shechinah. Now the old veneration was restored to it, because its real significance was reestablished. Apply this thought to churches, to their organizations, to their sacraments, etc. How often these are like the cloudless ark. They want the realized presence of God to make them vivid with life.

2. It testified to God's acceptance of the new building. Reverence and awe fell on all the worshippers. True" consecration" arises from the signs of the Divine presence given to the faithful. The conversion of a sinner, the uplifting of a fallen disciple, etc., these are the evidences we look for that worship and work, place and people, are accepted of God.

3. It confirmed the faith of some, and inspired faith in others. From childhood they had been told of the appearance of the glory of the Lord in olden days. Now, for the first time, they saw it, and doubt vanished before the light. A great turning to God on the part of the unrighteous, or some similar spiritual evidence of the Divine power amongst us, would do more than all controversy to destroy scepticism.

4. It proclaimed God's readiness to hear prayer. With what confidence Solomon could pray after this! The realization that God is near us is our highest encouragement to speak to Him. "Because he hath heard me in time past, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live." If such be the glory and bliss of God's presence on earth, what will it be to stand before His throne in heaven? - A.R.



Parallel Verses
KJV: And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,

WEB: It came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of Yahweh,




The Glory Cloud
Top of Page
Top of Page