When it comes to the Scripture, we need to consider what spirit is being moved, in isolation, but not without confirmation. While the whole counsel of the text is inspired by the only Holy Spirit of the Father, this monos despotes theos (only one god Jude v4) certainly allows for the revealing of many spirits across the platform of the script. In fact, the whole account of the Scripture can be partially summed up in the context of a revolving door of rebellion against the words of YHWH Elohim, beginning in Genesis 3. That is by definition the story of his people. In his grace and mercy he continually makes concessions to establish ways to dwell with mankind, and in the midst of the storyline this reality is a repeated paraphrase: “Where YHWH chooses to place his name” (25). El Shaddai (The Almighty) says so, even in the face of his people’s most rebellious behavior. The problem is his people always quickly forget the conditions of his abiding, and usually have little understanding as to how to apply this reality to personal behavior…and prophecy.
This wisest of Proverbs says: “One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination” (26). This brings the understanding of all of these things together. Note the exact context, and also what it doesn’t say. There is no mention of perfection, or exact keeping of Torah for salvation, but the posture of the individual ear turned toward hearing Torah as the primary activity. “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (27). These are timeless sayings: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! Shema Yisra’el [or Yashar-el (?), the upright of God] YHWH Elohim echad YHWH” (28). So let us pay attention to the words of the Almighty One, at least for those who lay claim to being followers, and do so with a pure heart, setting aside self, and the traditional philosophies of men. This is the essence of the continued repentance of baptism for sanctification by living water (29).
As we enter in the story at first Kings, this Proverb applies directly to the temple:
[1 Kings 9:1-9 KJV-F Version]: 1 And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of [Yahowah - YHWH], and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do, 2 That [Yahowah - YHWH] appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon. 3 And [Yahowah - YHWH] said unto him, I have heard [your] prayer and [your] supplication, that [you have] made before me: I have hallowed this house, which [you have] built, to put my name there forever; and [my] eyes and [my] heart shall be there perpetually. 4 And if [you will] walk before me, as David [your] father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded [you], [and] [will] keep my statutes and my judgments: 5 Then I will establish the throne of [your] kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David [your] father, saying, There shall not fail [you] a man upon the throne of Israel. 6 [But]if[you] shall at all turn from following me, [you] or your children, and will not keep my commandments [and] my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: 7 Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people: 8 And at this house, [which] is high, every one that [passes] by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why [has Yahowah - YHWH] done thus unto this land, and to this house? 9 And they shall answer, because they forsook [Yahowah Elohim], who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore [Yahowah] brought upon them all this evil.
YHWH spoke a similar message to Solomon in Gibeon in his dream:
[1Ki 3:14 KJV-F Version] And if [you will] walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as [your] father David did walk, then I will lengthen [your] days.
Preceding this verse we already see an indication as to why Solomon needed this warning:
[1Ki 3:1-3 KJV-F Version] 1 And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about. 2 Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of [YHWH], until those days. 3 And Solomon loved [YHWH], walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.
Anyone that chooses to understand the text can easily understand that the “high places” reference is against God, as well as marrying into Egypt. Things are already falling apart, but YHWH Elohim is in control and still working with Solomon, and is especially pleased with the young King’s request for wisdom on behalf of the people. In each case of speaking to Solomon, YHWH explains the conditions of his relationship. These requirements are repeated constantly from scroll to scroll, yet God’s people continue to drift away from YHWH’s statues, commandments, and judgments. Modern Christianity does the same exact thing with a hyper-grace interpretation of the text solidified in circumcising most anything God said that relates to obedience. We will soon find out how that is going to play through in end-times prophecy as well. So it would be wise to take heed.
For now we answer the question: “Why did YHWH fill up the temple with his Glory, if he told David he did not want him to build him a house?” If God always quit on us every time we disobeyed him, there would not be a people—poof gone bye bye! In truth his people come out of a fallen disobedient state to begin with, and they were destroyed but for a remnant already (30). The problem is when we are called out of darkness into the marvelous light (31) we often soon choose to retreat into our own dim-wit ways. So before we go attributing God’s glory and presence as credit to something David or Solomon did in the case of the temple, let’s consider the exact opposite alternative: despite their imperfect behavior concerning God’s ways…YHWH chose to place his name. This is simple. Yes, Yahh works with disobedience, because we his people are often only disobedient.
In this way we can easily let the text now speak for itself, and see the cause of his glory entering:
[2Ch 5:13-14 KJV-F] 13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers [were] as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking [YHWH]; and when they lifted up [their] voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised [YHWH], [saying], For [he is] good; for his mercy [endures] forever: that [then] the house was filled with a cloud, [even] the house of [YHWH]; 14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of [YHWH] had filled the house of God. [2 Chronicles 7:1-2 KJV] 1 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of [YHWH] filled the house. 2 And the priests could not enter into the house of [YHWH], because the glory of [YHWH] had filled [YHWH’s] house.
In this setting what you find is a kind of dwelling of YHWH’s “glory” in the house they had built him. However, the Lord’s presence cleared the place out. This is not so much cohabitation, but YHWH’s Glory dwelling in the midst where no man can come immediately near, aka the Holy of Holies. This is signified in the Ark of the Covenant in that which contains the heart of Yahh’s law, the bread of life, and that almond which blossoms and buds forth from the life-giving branch. This is the firstfruit of the second harvest that is the one stick of a nation restored to budding life from the branch that was once dead (Ezekiel 37:15-24, focus verse 22). These are all literal symbols of what is The Way! There is a distinct difference when comparing this situation of “the house” to the original setting of the garden, as well as what is reported in Revelation 21 when there is no temple in the place God chooses to dwell with Mankind. And certainly YHWH’s commands concerning the tabernacle cannot be found as the fulfillment in this New Version of the house of YHWH. However, we do see Yahh’s glory in the picture of the Holy of Holies. No matter the condition of Man and men, YHWH is holy.
Stephen