Presence of God

10 And when the priests came out of the holy place, a cloud filled the house of the LORD, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD. (1 Kings 8:10-11)

It took Solomon 11 years to complete the temple he was building to honor God. The culmination occurred when Solomon had the ark of the covenant brought from the City of David into it's new home in the temple. God's presence descended so massively that the priests could not even do their duty. The people of Israel were very familiar with the cloud of God's presence. "The same cloud led the Israelites out of Egypt and protected them from the Egyptian army (Exodus 14:19-25). It is the cloud that descended on the top of Mount Sinai when God made a covenant with the Israelites and gave them the Law as a gift (Exodus 24:15-18). This same cloud settled on the Tabernacle, that movable sanctuary, by which the LORD was present with the chosen people throughout their wilderness wanderings (Exodus 40:34-38)." (Katheryn Schifferdecker, Assoc. Prof. of Old Testament at Luther Seminary)

During their time in the wilderness, the people of Israel also experienced God's provision when they were given manna, or bread, from heaven to eat each day. Through this understanding the followers of Jesus heard his revelation that he, himself, was the manna from heaven. Many could not accept that Jesus was the provision of all they could need. We have the opportunity to receive Emmanuel, God with us, today - not in a cloud, or in literal food, but through the Holy Spirit. May we proclaim with Peter that Jesus is indeed the Holy One of God.

67 So Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" 68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:67-69)