been revealed occasionally in scripture. Fallen humanity is not capable of looking upon the radiance of God’s person. As with God’s holiness his glory is a frightening thing that we often take far too casually.
The Israelites had the opportunity to experience something of the glory of God while they were on their wilderness travels. One time, when the people had been grumbling against God, the Lord revealed his incredible glory to them in a cloud (Ex. 16:10). On another occasion when they were camped by Mount Sinai he appeared like a consuming fire at the summit of the mountain (Ex. 24:17).
Being physically in the presence of the Lord causes one to reflect the brilliance of God’s glory. On Mount Sinai Moses was given the Ten Commandments. When he returned from his time in the Lord’s presence his face reflected the radiance of the glory of God (Ex. 34:29) to such an extent that “they (Aaron and the people) were afraid to come near him” (Ex. 34:30).
When confronted by the glory of God the ancient Israelites did not expect to live. After having a first hand encounter with God’s glory their reaction to having witnessed his greatness and hearing his voice was amazement that they were still alive (Deut 5:24).
So how does the Bible describe the glory of God. First, it is expressed by the psalmist as being higher than the heavens (Ps. 8:1). As our understanding of the heavenly expanses increase we are confronted with a virtually unmeasurable quantity of glory. Secondly, he goes on to describe God’s glory in relation to his voice of thunder (Psa 29:3). We cannot begin to fathom the volume of such a majestic voice that is capable of bringing such fear to the hearts of men and women that they seek to flee from him (Is. 33:3). This is the glorious voice of God almighty. Thirdly, divine glory is mentioned in connection with the Lord’s majesty (Isa. 2:10). His kingly bearing is of such a stature that even the greatest earthly monarchs will have to acknowledge that he has the supreme privilege to rule bearing the title “King of all kings and Lord of all lords” (Rev. 19:16).
Has Israel always experienced the glory of such a supreme God? Unfortunately the answer is no. During the days of Ezekiel the nation had wandered far from the Lord. The prophet, although not in Jerusalem at the time, was given a vision of the departing glory of God. This event is described in stages. First, his glory rose up from above the cherubim and went over to the door of the temple. Then it proceeded to the east gate of the Temple. Finally, the glory of God left the city and hovered over a mountain to the east. So sadly God’s glory left Israel (see Ezek 10 & 11). It has not returned except for a brief moment when Jesus was radiantly transfigured in the presence of Peter, James, and John (Luke 9:28-36).
We cannot begin to comprehend God’s glory. Ezekiel tried and has come closer than anyone. In describing his vision of the Lord he states that from "his waist up, he looked like gleaming amber, flickering like a fire. And from his waist down, he looked like a burning flame, shining with splendor. All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day. This is what the glory of the Lord looked like to me” (Ezek. 1:27-28).
Copyright. Bruce October 2010
Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition.
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