God's Presence Departure from the Temple in Solomon's Day
God's Presence and the Temple in Solomon's Day
The concept of God's presence departing from the Temple is rooted in biblical accounts, particularly in the book of Ezekiel. In Ezekiel's vision, the glory of the Lord slowly departs from the Temple due to its defilement [4]. This departure is described in stages, with the glory of the Lord moving from the Most Holy Place to the entrance of the Temple, then to the east gate of the courtyard, and finally leaving the city altogether [8].
The Temple, built by Solomon, was considered the dwelling place of God's presence among his people. Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple acknowledges God's presence and emphasizes the importance of the Temple as a place of worship and prayer [1, 3]. However, the biblical account also warns of the consequences of the people's disobedience, including the departure of God's presence.
The departure of God's presence is not unique to Ezekiel's vision. In 1 Samuel, the capture of the ark by the Philistines is accompanied by the phrase "I-chabod, Thy glory is departed" [4]. This event signifies the loss of God's presence and favor. Similarly, in Matthew 23:38, Jesus says, "your house is abandoned and desolate," indicating the withdrawal of God's presence from the Temple [7].
The significance of the Temple and God's presence is also reflected in the Psalms, where the Temple is referred to as the place of God's dwelling [2]. The departure of God's presence from the Temple signifies a profound change in the relationship between God and his people.
The interpretation of God's presence departing from the Temple is consistent across various traditions. According to Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist/Puritan commentator, the departure of God's presence is a sign of judgment on the rebellious city [5]. The Tyndale House commentary, representing Protestant academic thought, notes that the glory of the Lord departed from the Temple and eventually returned from the east to the renewed Temple in Ezekiel's vision [6].
The biblical account of God's presence departing from the Temple serves as a warning against the consequences of disobedience and the importance of maintaining a right relationship with God. The Temple's significance as a symbol of God's presence among his people is underscored by the dramatic departure of that presence in times of disobedience.
Sources
- 1 Kings “It was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication to Yahweh, he arose from before the altar of Yahweh, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread out toward heaven. -- 1 Kings 8:54”
- Psalms “Psalms 68:29 (BBE) — Out of your Temple in Jerusalem.”
- I Kings “I Kings 8:54 (LEB) — It happened that when Solomon finished praying to Yahweh all of the prayer and this plea, he got up from before the altar of Yahweh, from kneeling down on his knees with his palms outstretched to heaven.”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 10:18: The departure of the symbol of God's presence from the temple preparatory to the destruction of the city. Foretold in Deu 31:17. Woe be to those from whom God departs (Hos 9:12)! Compare Sa1 28:15-16; Sa1 4:21 : "I-chabod, Thy glory is departed." Successive steps are marked in His departure; so slowly and reluctantly does the merciful God leave His house. First He leaves the sanctuary (Eze 9:3); He elevates His throne above the threshold of the house (Eze 10:1); leaving the cherubim He sits on the throne (Eze 10:4); He and the cherubim, after standin”
- Ezekiel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ezekiel 11:22: Here is, 1. The departure of God's presence from the city and temple. When the message was committed to the prophet, and he was fully apprized of it, fully instructed how to separate between the precious and the vile, then the cherubim lifted up their wings and the wheels beside them (Eze 11:22) as before, Eze 10:19. Angels, when they have done their errands in this lower world, are upon the wing to be gone, for they lose no time. We left the glory of the Lord last at the east gate of the temple (Eze 10:19), which is here said to be in the midst of the city. Now”
- Ezekiel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezekiel 11:22: 11:22-23 Ezekiel’s vision of the Temple (chs 8–11) concludes with the chariot bearing the glory of . . . God away from the Temple. The glory of the Lord would depart from defiled Jerusalem, go east to Babylon with the exiles, and identify with their suffering (11:16). God’s glory halted temporarily above the mountain to the east of Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives, as if waiting to see the judgment descend upon the rebellious city. Having departed to the east, it would also return from the east to the renewed Temple (ch 43).”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 23:38: 23:38 your house is abandoned and desolate: God would withdraw his presence from the Temple (Ezek 10:18-19; 11:22-23; cp. Matt 1:23), and both the Temple and Jerusalem would be destroyed.”
- Ezekiel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezekiel 10:3: 10:3-22 As if reluctant to leave, the glory of the Lord (10:4) moved slowly and haltingly, by stages. From above the cherubim in the Most Holy Place, it moved to the entrance of the Temple, paused, then hovered above the cherubim (10:18) and moved to the east gate of the courtyard (10:19), where it again paused. The glory of the Lord later left the city altogether (11:23).”