Solomon now moves the Ark of the Covenant into the most holy place in the new temple. The Ark contained the two tablets of stone on which God himself wrote the Ten Commandments. It also contained Aaron’s rod that budded, bringing life out of the dead. It also contained some of the manna that had fed Israel for 40 years in the wilderness.
The Ark was to represent the presence of God for each successive generation to come. It appears the Solomon’s comment in 1 Kings 8:12 was inspired by the fact that a cloud settled upon the temple as the Ark was put into place. The cloud was seen as the holy presence of God that guided them through the wilderness for 40 years and then led them into the Promised Land that Solomon now reigned over. So Solomon says, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in think darkness.”
The cloud was the approving presence of God in the new temple. For you and me the approving presence of God is in the form of the Holy Spirit which we receive when we come to personal faith in Jesus Christ. This is exactly what Ephesians 1:3 says. The New Century Version translates it this way: “So it is with you. When you heard the true teaching—the Good News about your salvation—you believed in Christ. And in Christ, God put his special mark of ownership on you by giving you the Holy Spirit that he had promised.” The Spirit is the symbol of God’s approval.
God’s approval is ours by faith in Jesus. It’s not based on works it’s a free gift. Yancy writes, “The notion of God’s love coming to us free of charge, no strings attached, seems to go against every instinct of humanity. The Buddhist eight-fold path, the Hindu doctrine of karma, the Jewish covenant, and Muslim code of law—each of these offers a way to earn approval. Only Christianity dares to make God’s love unconditional.”
It is so wonderful to have God’s approval that Solomon bursts out in a song which I’ll look at tomorrow. So should we! Paul says in Philippians 1:11, “Jesus Christ will fill your lives with everything that God’s approval produces. Your lives will then bring glory and praise to God.”
Chuck
“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.” Philippians 3:20