Isaiah 1:12

To appear before me. To “appear before God” was the normal phrase for visiting the Temple at the great religious services (Ps. 42:2; 84:7; Ex. 34:23). The Hebrews rightly believed that when they came to the Temple they came into the immediate presence of God. It is true that the sanctuary had been built in order that the Lord might dwell among them (Ex. 25:8). But it is not necessarily true that everyone who came to the Temple also entered into the presence of God. Through Isaiah the Lord proclaims that He dwells “in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit” (Isa. 57:15).