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Verse:And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD. —1 Kings 8:10, 11
It was during a great lifting up of the voices of the assembled priests in an anthem of praise to God that His glory appeared in the form of a cloud (2 Chron. 5:13).” “So great was the overpowering glory of God’s presence that the officiating priests were forced temporarily to withdraw. So also when the tabernacle was first set up, Moses was not able to enter because of the glory of God which filled the sacred tent (Ex. 40:35). When Isaiah had his vision of God, the train of divine glory filled the Temple, and Isaiah felt himself undone because of having come so near to the presence of the Lord (Isa. 6:1–5). The disciples of Jesus likewise trembled as the cloud of God’s glory overshadowed them on the mount of transfiguration (Luke 9:34). Why do men experience such reactions when in the presence of God? It is because of the very nature of God, His greatness and His holiness, His grandeur and sublimity, His majesty and might. . . . Sinful man cannot come into His sublime presence and continue to exist. God is like a consuming fire, which unholy men cannot approach without being destroyed. “The cloud in the Temple was not God, but it was a means by which the Lord veiled His presence to the end that man might not be consumed. So great was the divine glory on the occasion of the dedication of the Temple that in spite of the enveloping cloud, the ministering priests were forced to draw back in holy awe.” “Witnessing the combined darkness and glory before him, the mingled shadow and light, Solomon was assured that the Lord was there (Eze. 48:35). . . . This is evidence of the very presence of God; He is with us; we have nothing to fear, but we have everything to be thankful for on this glorious occasion.” “The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved” (Psalm 99:1).