The Priests Could Not Stand to Minister by Reason of the Cloud

2 Chronicles 4:1–6:11; Romans 7:1-13; Psalm 17:1-15; Proverbs 19:22-23

The Priests Could Not Stand to Minister by Reason of the Cloud
And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course: also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:) it came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God. – 2 Chronicles 5:11-14

I love 2 Chronicles 5:14. Why couldn’t the priests stand? The Bible tells us…for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

An House of Habitation
Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever. And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole congregation of Israel: and all the congregation of Israel stood. And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who hath with his hands fulfilled that which he spake with his mouth to my father David – 2 Chronicles 6:1-4

I Had Not Known Sin, but By the Law
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. – Romans 7:7-8

Wherefore the Law is Holy
Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. – Romans 7:12-13

Thou Hast Proved My Heart
Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal. Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. – Psalm 17:1-3

The Fear of the LORD Tendeth to Life
The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. – Proverbs 19:23

There are some great promises in this verse for those that fear the Lord. Here are three –

The fear of the Lord tendeth to life. Tendeth means – to watch over; take care of as a caretaker; cultivate; foster.

If you fear the Lord, you will be satisfied.

If you fear the Lord, you will not be visited with evil.