For a people making their living farming, shepherding, and fishing, going to the temple must truly have been an awe-inspiring experience! Gold was used so generously that even the floor of the outer sanctuary was covered with it! As Israelite worshipers traveled from their farms and villages from across the land to the temple in Jerusalem, the people must have been amazed at the awesome sight. The temple upon Mount Moriah, rising above the city walls, could be seen in the distance as the pilgrims approached. The gold shone brightly off the temple in its dazzling brilliance. Then, entering the temple to worship, and walking upon a golden floor would have been the most amazing experience in many of these humble peasant’s lives.
Yet we also know that the gold of the temple would eventually be seized, either by desperate Israelite kings needing to pay tribute to their enemies, or from pillagers as they destroyed the holy place. The temple of Solomon, once a wonder of the world, would eventually lie in ruins. An edifice built to the glory of God would be crudely cast down and stripped of anything of value.
That is because God is not confined to a place, no matter how beautiful. No structure is august enough to adequately house the almighty. As much as we would like to construct a building magnificent enough for God to choose to reside within it, it is impossible.
Our aim ought to be to prepare our hearts to receive and house our Lord. It is not gold and silver that please our Creator, but a pure and humble heart. We tend to want things to be grandiose. God looks for that which is pure.