God wanted people to worship where he had chosen to put his name. For Israel, this was first the tabernacle and later the temple in Jerusalem.
God is transcendent (above all things) and omnipresent (present everywhere). Yet he chose a specific place for Israel to worship him. King Solomon later asked how the God of heaven could live in a building made by humans (1 Kings 8:27). The answer is that God's name represents himself.
The tabernacle and later the temple belonged to him and his name marked them. So they were, in a way, his homes. In the ancient Near East, names were more than just labels. They showed the character and nature of the person (for example, Jacob, Genesis 27:36; Jesus, Matthew 1:21; Barnabas, Acts 4:36; Peter, Matthew 16:17–19). Thus, Solomon could advise, “A good name is more desirable than great riches” (Proverbs 22:1).
God lived in a holy place that carried his name. His glorious presence appeared as fire and cloud during the time Israel lived in the wilderness. This acted as a constant reminder that he was with his people (Exodus 40:34–35). Similarly, when Solomon established the temple, God's presence was also evident (1 Kings 8:10–11).
God later lived among his people as Jesus Christ (John 1:14). This removed the need for a central holy place (see John 4:19–24). Now, because the Holy Spirit lives within them, all Christians can "house" God's presence (1 Corinthians 3:16–17; 6:19–20; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:21).
Passages for Further Study
Exodus 25:8–9, 22, 40; 26:30; 33:7–11; 40:34–35; Numbers 7:1; 11:16; Deuteronomy 12:4–7; 31:14–15; 1 Kings 8:10–11, 27; John 1:14; 2:19–21; Acts 7:44; 1 Corinthians 3:16–17; 6:19–20; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:21; Hebrews 8:2, 5; Revelation 21:22