“Thick Darkness”

When the cloud filled the Temple, Solomon made a statement which demands some attention. “Jehovah hath said that He would dwell in the thick darkness” (2. Chron. 6:1). The words recall Exodus 20:21: “Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.” These passages suggest to us most vividly the contrast between knowing God as Lawgiver, and as “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Such language as Solomon used is impossible for saints today. However intimate may have been the communion of Moses and Solomon with the God of Israel, they did not know Him as the humblest believer is entitled to know Him now. God was not yet fully revealed, for the Only-begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father had not come forth from heaven to declare Him (John 1:18). All that God is has come out in the person and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. Accordingly, God is said to be “in the light,” and Christians are in the light with Him (1 John 1:7). “God is light” is another thing. Light is His nature. “In the light,” and “in darkness” are terms which set forth His relations with men dispensationally. Peter tells us that God “hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). We are therefore “sons of light, and sons of the day” (1 Thess. 5:5). “Ye were once darkness (says Paul), but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8). This is practical consistency with the exceeding grace of God. 1 John 1:7 (so frequently misunderstood) is not intended to teach us how we should walk, but where. The “how” is found in the following chapter. “He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked” (1 John 2:6).
Solomon next publicly “blessed the whole congregation of Israel: and all the congregation of Israel stood” (2 Chron. 6:3). Only three kings ever publicly blessed the people of God (so far as the records speak), and they were all outstanding types of Christ-Melchizedek (Gen. 14:19); David (a Sam. 6:18); and Solomon. Then Solomon blessed Jehovah on the people’s behalf. “Blessed be Jehovah, God of Israel, who hath with His hands fulfilled that which He spake to my father David” (2 Chron. 6:4-11). In all the doings of the great day of the consecration of the Temple, the High Priest is never mentioned. Everything was under the direction of the king. This brings home to us the great change that took place in Jehovah’s dealings with Israel when the priestly house broke down in the days of Eli. God said concerning the priest for days to come, “He shall walk before Mine anointed forever” (1 Sam. 2:36). The priest became secondary to the king. God’s King ultimately is Christ. All blessing depends upon Him, and all authority is vested in Him.