THEOSISPhilaret of Moscow (Drosdow)
Having the temple of God in close proximity is a comforting and appealing notion when one reflects on the grace associated with it. However, it can also evoke a sense of trepidation when considering the holiness of the One who resides there. This longing for God's presence was shared by King David, as recorded in the book of Chronicles: "And he made unto himself houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the tabernacle of God, and made it a tabernacle." The tabernacle, which later became known as the temple, possessed the distinguishing feature of being movable. Established by Moses under divine instruction, the tabernacle served as a profound symbol of God's dwelling. Its significance is evident in both its origins and its ancient history.
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At this time, it was located either at Shiloh, where it had been during the youth of Samuel the prophet, or in Gibeon, where Solomon discovered it upon becoming king. The primary and vital sanctuary, the tabernacle of God, housed the tablets of the commandments inscribed by God. During the era of Eli the high priest, these tablets had been seized by the Philistines during conflict but were eventually returned to Israel following miraculous events. For a considerable period, this sacred object remained in Kiriath-jearim, at the house of Abinadab.
It would have been appropriate for David to visit the tabernacle of Moses or the tabernacle of God, or ideally, to reunite these sanctuaries by bringing God's tabernacle back to the one established by Moses. However, David chose a different path. He constructed his own house in Jerusalem and erected a new tabernacle, expressing his desire to relocate God's dwelling there. It is clear that alongside his devout feelings, the aspiration to keep the sanctuary close to himself was a motivating factor. This serves as an inspiration for those who currently yearn to have the temple of God nearby, encouraging them to follow in the footsteps of David.
David made a commitment to establish the house of God in Jerusalem, ensuring that a space was designated for the dwelling of the Lord, as noted: “and he prepared a place for the tabernacle of God, and made it a tabernacle” (1 Chronicles 15:1). After facing challenges, he succeeded in relocating the tabernacle there, allowing him to engage in prayer, praise, and offerings during every festival, and to seek the temple’s grace on occasions when he sensed a heightened need. It is important to highlight that even though David was a living temple of God, filled with the Spirit as a prophet, he still deeply felt the need for the holy temple.
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In his youth, he experienced a profound and secret anointing from the Prophet Samuel: “And the Spirit of the Lord was upon David from that day even afterwards” (1 Sam. 16:13).
This sacred example teaches us that those who are diligently pursuing righteousness view the path to the temple of God as a source of joy, akin to a wanderer returning home. They recognize that their most cherished moments are those spent in worship within the temple, and they perceive the absence of participation in prayer, praise, and sacraments there as a significant loss. Furthermore, those unable to physically attend the temple often long for its presence to come to them.
How then should we interpret this sacred example regarding those who disregard the commandments of God's house? Such individuals believe they can elevate themselves above the opinions of others and offer God a more personal form of worship, not realizing that He does not require our demanding efforts. Might we conclude that they place themselves in a position above the Prophet, who was also keenly aware of the importance of adhering to the temple’s regulations and felt a compelling draw toward it? Such arrogance is certainly not commendable; those who elevate themselves are merely setting the stage for their own downfall.