Tabernacle
King David had set his heart on building a permanent Temple structure for the worship of God. A place where the articles of worship might reside and the very Presence of God Himself might find residence. Heretofore, the Tabernacle (or temporary tent structure) had served this purpose for the people of Israel. But now, a magnificent permanent structure was about to take its place.
On the day of the Temple's dedication, the Elders and Priests of Israel, along with King Solomon all gathered to offer sacrifice and worship God in the process of dedicating the new permanent place of worship. First, Solomon addresses the people, then he prays to God.
It is in the midst of his prayer to God that Solomon makes a very insightful observation in the form of a question to the Almighty:
2 Chronicles 6:18 “But will God really dwell on earth with humans? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!
Solomon had the wisdom and insight to realize that the magnificent Temple of Jerusalem, ironically could never accomplish the reason for which it was ostensibly constructed- it was unable to contain the Almighty! What he didn't realize however, was that his words and actions were to perfectly set up the profound nature of the Incarnation that would take place some 800 years later.
It was in the Incarnation that the seemingly "impossible" became possible- God came and dwelt among men! In the prolouge to John's Gospel, we find this incredible statment that stands as an answer to Solomon's question:
John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
So, the answer to Solomon's question offered at the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem is, "Yes!". God would indeed dwell on earth with humans, but not in a Temple made of stone, but in the living, breathing, Person of Jesus Christ!
The record of Scripture is profound in that it gives evidence to the God of Creation in constant pursuit of His broken Creation- all for the purpose of its redemption! Even as the priests declared on the day of the Temple's dedication, it must be continually said: “He is good; his love endures forever.”!