“The cherubim spread their wings over the Ark, forming a canopy over the Ark and its carrying poles. These poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place, which is in front of the Most Holy Place, but not from the outside. They are still there to this day. Nothing was in the Ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Mount Sinai, where the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel when they left the land of Egypt. When the priests came out of the Holy Place, a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of the Lord.”
1 Kings 8:7-11 NLT
It is quite telling that after the temple was finished and the Ark of the covenant was brought inside that the spirit of the Lord was so consuming that the Priests couldn’t continue performing their tasks. This is a miracle. Consider how it is that the Jews carried the Ark from place to place and gave it temporary residence in these places in a mere tent. Yet here God chooses to sprawl his presence outward. It should be of no surprise as the Ark, never really contained his presence. It was more of a readily accessible vantage point of relationship. Here we see the truth of temple as well. It does not contain God, he merely chooses to alight within it. This story demonstrates the impressive elasticity of God’s incarnation. He can mold himself into a cloud within a box, into a pillar of fire, a burning bush, or even a man. In all of these circumstances, there is a single message that seems to be repeating throughout these points of access. He wishes us to know that he is with us, and we are his.
JOSH McGARY. COM 