In the Hakhel year, the King read from the Torah to the entire Jewish nation. He stood on an elevated platform to signify that while naturally humble, we must stand tall and be strong when faced with adversity. The platform was in the courtyard, a holy place. Only to defend holiness can we step out of a place of humility into the limelight.
The platform was made of wood, a temporary material in comparison to the Temple’s stones and metals. Our foray into fame is temporary, we are there for only as long as necessary until we return to our essential place of humility.