The Lord rejects any idea that a permanent structure is necessary for his presence to be real and permanent among his people.1 Such was the general thought among people of the ancient Near East; they considered the gods to be tied to a particular geographical area in such a way that you had gods of Egypt
and gods of Canaan.
The Lord, however, is not like pagan gods.2 He has been moving in the midst of his people; his presence has been with them wherever they go. This is how he has shown his splendour, not in a magnificent temple, but in the works which he has done on behalf of his people.3
6 Mais je n'ai point habité dans une maison depuis le jour où j'ai fait monter les enfants d'Israël hors d'Egypte jusqu'à ce jour; j'ai voyagé sous une tente et dans un tabernacle.