2 Chronicles 5

All the work of preparation and construction had been completed. Now the time had come to use the new temple in Jerusalem. But would God dwell in this building made by men?

The priests brought the ark of the covenant into the Holy of Holies, the most sacred place in the entire sanctuary. The two tablets of the Law of Moses were inside the ark. Here at the center of Israelite worship were the Lord's commandments to His people. How could Israel survive under any system of Law that required their perfect and perpetual obedience?

The answer for the nation would have to come from the Lord's character rather than from their own perseverance. The refrain from the song that they sang on this great occasion provided the answer for them: “He is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

God is good. His ultimate plan of eternal love must be very good news for us. But how will the requirements of God's justice be met? Those tablets of His Law were still in the ark of the covenant. Who would keep the Law for Israel? Here is where the mercy of God really shines. He would come Himself and meet the requirements of His holiness for all of His people so that His own plan for mercy could be fulfilled.

Even though the temple was the center of worship during the period of time that the Bible calls “the Law,” the sacrificial system testified of the grace of God. The Lord would supply a way out of sin for His children.

Did God endorse this place of worship where His inflexible justice and His eternal goodness met? Yes, He approved of the temple that Solomon and all Israel had built. He filled the house with His glory cloud.

This was a very encouraging moment for the Lord's people, but the Hebrew prophets prepare us for a much greater era. One day the glory of the Lord shall cover the entire earth. The presence of God will fill us and the new creation. He will be our God, and we will be His people forever.