Exodus 25 · a question people ask
If God is everywhere, why would he need a tent?
The text never says God needs it. It says why he wants it: "that I may dwell among them" (25:8), and "There I will meet with you" (25:22). Later he says, "They shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them" (29:46). When Solomon dedicated the temple, he asked, "But will God in very deed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain you; how much less this house that I have built!" (1 Kings 8:27). Stephen said, "the Most High doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands" (Acts 7:48). The tent didn't hold God in. It was the place where he said he would meet his people (25:22, 29:42-43).
The verses
“Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.”
“There I will meet with you, and I will tell you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the covenant, all that I command you for the children of Israel.”
“But will God in very deed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain you; how much less this house that I have built!”
“But Solomon built him a house. However, the Most High doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says, ‘heaven is my throne, and the earth a footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build me?’ says the Lord. ‘Or what is the place of my rest?”