[Solomon declared as he dedicated the Temple:] “But will God really dwell on earth with men? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!” —2 Chronicles 6:18.
As Solomon dedicated the Temple, he realized that this tremendous accomplishment of great beauty was far too insignificant and small to honor or house the Creator of the Universe. However, God did choose to dwell with mortals, and the Temple would be a special place where the Lord manifested his presence. God’s dwelling among his people personally came through Jesus’ incarnation (John 1:11-18). God is awesome and beyond description, far too holy to be expected to associate with flawed human beings or contained in a grand building. As God, however, the Lord has chosen to love and live with us as one of us in Jesus. God did this so that we can return to him and share in his glory. Nevertheless, the building of Solomon’s Temple was an outstanding achievement and brought God great honor!