2nd Chronicles 5 THE GLORY OF THE LORD In recounting historical events to the generations that follow the original event, emphasis has to be placed on those things that make the greatest impact on our lives presently. The knowledge of history has a reason in that it can preserve the present generation from making the same mistakes their forefathers did, or to enlighten us as to what is still important to us today. The building of the temple, its magnificence and dedication being written to the people returning from Babylon, and for us today, gives us a look into the future when "the King of glory shall come in." Our Lord is not finished with the world yet. He has given us a foreshadowing of the glory of the Lord yet to come that will be seen, not only in the temple in Jerusalem, but throughout the whole world.
By emphasizing the temple built by Solomon we are taught the fact of divine authority we submit to when we worship and serve our Lord. God is holy and the evidence of that is on display when we meet as His people and worship together in the way of His choosing. His new covenant with us is not based on that which appeals to us nor what we are "comfortable with," but on the word of God. God's word was followed in the building of the temple and is to be followed in "the house of God" today. By nature, we are not able to approach God, but in grace He has made it possible for us to "draw night to God and He will draw nigh to you." Forgiveness is possible because of the value of the innocent Substitute who "offered Himself without spot to God" and died in our place. The way is now open for us to enter into the presence of God because of Him who has opened this "new and living way."
By faith we enter through the veil today. In the future, typified by the temple Solomon built, the glory of the Lord will be seen and experienced in a way that is obvious to all who look on. That will not be a more real experience than that which we have now by faith. Faith is not wishful thinking but a positive assurance of all we have because our faith is in the Lord Himself. We can experience in that way the glory of the Lord now. People in the past went to the temple to pray. The throne of grace to which we approach is open and available to us at all times and in any place because by being "in Christ" we are actually part of the dwelling place of God.
The temple was completed as far as the building itself was concerned and the things David had dedicated to the Lord were place there, but that didn't bring the glory of the Lord to fill the temple. The magnificence of the building was not diminished in any way by the passing of nearly a year since its completion, but the glory of the Lord was not there. At the most appropriate time for the nation, the feast of tabernacles in which they celebrated God's protection in the wilderness journey to the promised land, and in which their commitment to God was renewed, the ark was to be brought up to the temple. The tabernacle at Gibeon was brought up and all that was in it - the gold covered boards, the curtains, the furniture, the pins - everything - and was stored in the temple. The evidence of past glory and all the antiquities associated with that was placed in the temple, but they did not bring the glory of the Lord with them.
The priests who were Levites went down to Mount Zion and brought "the ark of the covenant of the Lord" up to the higher part of the mount where the temple was built. Sacrifices were made continually as it was carried up to the temple. Likely they were peace offering which the people, the priests and the Lord all shared. When the ark was carried into the holiest, it had finally come, after 129 years away to where it should be, to the place where it could testify to the Lord's presence with His people in the way most appropriate. The manna had been removed and Aaron's rod that budded was also not in the ark, but the tables of stone on which the word of God was engraved was there. "The word of the Lord endureth forever." The "hidden manna" and the tree in which there is life is restored in a spiritual sense to those who overcome in this church age in the assemblies of God's people in which they are a part. That which nourishes God's people and the Gospel they present to others are real and available.
After the ark was in place, and the ancient artifacts of the tabernacle were stored away; after the thousands of sacrifices were made; after the priests had consecrated themselves - still the glory of the Lord did not appear. Those physical and ceremonial things, impressive as they were, were not evidences of faith in a living God. "Without faith it is impossible to please Him." But then - by the east gate facing the brazen altar and the temple beyond the altar where the ark of the covenant of the Lord now rested, the testimony of faith began. The testimony of song began rising from the hearts and voices of the singers and the 120 priest- trumpeters sounded their music which could have been heard all over that mountain by the ears of thousands of God's people who had gathered there. The singers were singing in unison with the musicians putting into words the testimony of faith in the Lord Himself. When all this happened and the people of the Lord were looking beyond the beautiful building and all it contained, and they were declaring the faith in the Lord and praise to the Lord - the temple was filled with the cloud of God's presence. That presence was so complete that there was no room for the priests to do anything. Everything of man's labor ceased as God moved in to dwell in His house in the midst of His people.
Such glory was physical but it was evidence of the reality of the Presence of God Himself who was hidden from the eyes of men. There was no question about it. God was there. What a wonder! What a cause for joy! "God is in you of a truth" can be said of those who follow divine order in worship and service in the gatherings of assemblies of God's people today. When God is honored and His presence is acknowledged even though he is unseen, worship begins and testimony flourishes. We speak of His love and His great grace when we worship. We sing of His mercy and His faithfulness. We respond to Him with hearts filled with praise. The glory of the Lord and the praise of His people go together. "Unseen we love Thee, dear Thy name..." are true words as we meet together to "worship the King, all glorious is He."
The glory that filled the temple did not stay when the people of God began taking God for granted and sought after the pleasures of sin and the world. As Ezra, or whoever else wrote these Chronicles of Israel, the new generation who did know the value of the ways of God with His people in the past, would have been made conscious of who they were and of what they were now called upon to do. The work before them would have become important, as they realized the heritage they were continuing, even though it was not as glorious as in the past. Even though things in this present day are different from that of our forefathers, we must live in the present and apply ourselves to that which God calls upon us to do now. It is useless for us to mourn for what has been lost. It is important to act upon that which is our responsibility in the present. God's glory is not limited and He is able and willing to allow us to "glorify Him," "give Him glory," and we can experienced the glory of His presence by faith when He gathers us to Him and says, "There am I in the midst of them."