Introduction
Dear brothers and sisters,
Last week, we heard the Word of the Lord concerning the Glory of God. That was the first part. Then, we heard about the glory of God in worship. Every aspect of worship was designed to display the glory of God. God’s glory cannot be described without reference to his holiness. Thinking of God, remembering his deeds, and worshipping Him always leads to praise and exaltation.
This week we will learn about another aspect of the glory of God. His glory is always connected to God’s presence with His people. This presence provides protection, guidance, and sustenance.
Providing for his people
Soon after Israel departed from Egypt and arrived in the desert, they started grumbling about bread and meat. To assure them that God indeed are with them, Moses and Aaron said:
“In the evening you will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of Egypt, and in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because He has heard your grumbling against Him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?” (Exodus 16:6–7)
While they were still talking to the people the glory of the Lord appeared to them and the Lord said:
“I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’” (Exodus 16:12, NIV)
God is with his people in grace and mercy to provide for them.
The people did not believe that God would provide for them. Although God promised them a land of milk and honey, the rebelled, even after they had witnessed His provision. The twelve men returned from exploring the land. They brought with them “a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs. That place was called the Valley of Eshkol because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut off there.” (Numbers 13:23–24)
Even this was not enough to convince the people to believe God. At that point the glory of the Lord appeared with them at the Tent of Meeting. “How long will these people not believe Me?”, the Lord said, that in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed in their midst?” The Lord wanted to strike them down with a plague, but Moses appealed to the presence of the Lord. The presence of the Lord led the people. They witnessed it in the pillar of cloud by day. A pillar of fire guided them by night. That was the case when God stood between them and the army of the Pharoah at the Red Sea.
The Lord declared something important here at Meribah. The rebellion and unbelief of the people will not stand in His way. He will continue with His glorious plan. This plan will eventually fill the whole world with His glory.
“Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth,” (Numbers 14:21)
This plan was fulfilled in Christ. Through His perfect obedience, He empowered His church. They proclaim God’s Kingdom to the ends of the earth.
Living in their midst
Moses and the people completed the tabernacle according to the plan God had given Moses. It stood in perfection. However, it was still just a tent. Something happened that would change everything:
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tent of meeting. The cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. (Exodus 40:34–35)
God was now with his people to protect them. He was there to be with them and be in their midst. His presence distinguished them from all the other peoples on earth. The Bible also refers to this tabernacle or tent as a shakan, meaning a dwelling place. God’s glory dwelled with his people. The apostle John says Christ was the glory of God who made his tent with us. Indeed, He is God-with-us.
Solomon dedicated the temple in Jerusalem as a permanent place of worship. The glory of God also filled the temple. This was a sign that God is with his people. His glory was their protection and shield.
Forgiving their sins
Leviticus 9 tells the story of the priests who commenced their ministry. They had to bring the sacrifices on behalf of the people before God in the prescribed manner. Why? “So that the glory of the Lord my appear to you.”
They did as God commanded and through the sacrifices and their ministry the sins of the people were forgiven. How would they know that? What a wonderful verse:
Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. Fire emerged from the Lord’s presence. It consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown. (Leviticus 9:23–24)
God has forgiven us. His present glory is a sign that He is with sinners to forgive them. He is on our side. He is our Father who forgives!
Glory departed
The book of 1 Samuel 2 highlights the dire circumstances during Eli’s time. He was the High Priest. His two sons, Hophni and Phineas, were also involved in Shiloh. This was where the ark of the Lord dwelled. Eli gave his two sons a free hand in ministering between God and His people. The Bible says these sons did not even know God (1 Samuel 2:12). They slept with temple prostitutes 1 Samuel 2:22). God visited Eli with these words,
“Although good will be done to Israel, no one in your family line will ever reach old age… all your descendants will die in the prime of life. And what happens to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will be a sign to you—they will both die on the same day.” (1 Samuel 2:32–34, NIV)
The Philistines then attacked Israel and captured the ark., together with the two young godless priests. When the news reached Eli, he fell from his chair and broke his neck and died. At that moment, his daughter-in-law was giving birth to a child. Before the mother died she named the child, Ichabod, meaning “The glory of the Lord has departed from Israel.” God’s people were exposed, unprotected and uncared for. God stepped away.
In His mercy, He raised up a faithful servant. This servant was Samuel. He called the people to repentance and reconciliation to God. After that, the ark was returned as a sign of God’s presence with them.
But then Israel became stubborn and something terrible happened. Jeremiah records a conversation between God and his people:
Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. (Jeremiah 2:11)
Isaiah says:
For Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence. (Isaiah 3:8)
Their constant rebellion against God led to them being taken captive to Babylon. There, in a vision to Ezekiel, God showed him the idolatry which happened even in the temple. What was the result?
Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub on which it rested to the threshold of the house. (Ezekiel 9:3)
The glory of the Lord was on its way out, departing from their presence. Chapter 9:9 records, “The sin of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding lie great … They say ‘The Lord has forsaken the land; the Lord does not see’’’.
We know the story: God gets the blame when we sin, and He then punishes us. What happened then?
And the glory of the Lord went up from the cherub to the threshold of the house, and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the Lord. …And the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city and stood on the mountain that is on the east side of the city. (Ezekiel 10:4, 11:23)
Without the glory of God to protect them, the armies of Nebuchadnezzar flattened the temple and the holy city. God’s glory left. His protection and provision were gone. They became slaves in a foreign land. God became their enemy. His glory and holiness demand that His people be punished.
We have seen the Glory of the Lord
After no prophetic word from God for about 450 years the heavens open with a shout from heaven. Shepherds were minding their sheep one night on Bethlehem’s fields. Then something totally unexpected happened.
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. (Luke 2:9)
God remembered his promise to have His glory cover the earth as the water covers the sea. The same people who traded His glory for another receive grace to see the promised Immanuel, Jesus Christ. God sent his Son to rescue sinners from sin. That was the message of the angels. About Him John writes:
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
He is once again for us Immanuel, God with us.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:6–7)
He presence shines the glory of God, but also the splendour and majesty of the Father.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1:15, 19–20)
This Jesus promised to spread the glory of God to the world
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.“
He also promised:
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20)
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:3)
When He takes us to his Father’s home, what wonder awaits us! Listen again to this verse:
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. (Revelation 21:10–11)
And:
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. (Revelation 21:23)
Closing
Without the glory of God, the church cannot exist. When church finds it existence in the glory of God and lives to display His glory, victory is certain. The Gospel will reach the ends of the earth before we see the New Jerusalem descend from heaven. Then, we will know the glory of the Lord in the fullest and most blessed meaning.
Amen.
Naracoorte Presbyterian Church 