When we hear about the glory of the LORD, it brings to mind images of light, and splendor. There is more to understand about it, though, There is another side to the glory.
The Hebrew word for glory is "kabod". It means glory, honor, abundance, riches, reverence, splendor, weightiness. The root word of kabod is the word "kabad". It includes many of the meanings noted above, such as rich, honorable, be made abundant. Also included in the meaning of the root word for glory, "kabad", are the meanings to be heavy, weighty, grievous, to be hard, burdensome, to make heavy, dull, unresponsive. This root word "kabad" is used in some scriptures that deal with the judgment of God:
"And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous..." Gen, 18:20
"But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said." Ex. 8:15, 8:32, 9:34, 10:1
"But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon Ashdod, and He destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof." 1 Sam. 5:6
As we can see in the above verses, there are two sides to the glory of God.
The glory of the LORD also presided over the judgment of the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (Num. 16:19-21).
The glory of God is also the measure that will measure all of us:
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23
By this measure, we all fail except for the fact that Jesus made it possible for us to see the other side of God's glory.
Those who love God, and have received Him as their LORD, see one side of the glory through Christ. It's beautiful, and shining. It is for their enrichment, sanctification, provision and for their covering and protection:
"...the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. And the LORD spoke to Moses saying, "...at twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning, you shall be filled with bread."
Ex. 16:10-12
:And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory." Ex. 29:43
"Then the LORD shall create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For over all the glory, there will be a covering. And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain." Isa. 4:5-6
"That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man." Eph. 3:16
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Phil. 4:19
Considering the above scriptures, it is no wonder that in Jesus' last prayer before His suffering, as He was praying for His disciples, it was important to Him to pray regarding the glory of His Father:
"And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me."
Jn. 17:22-23
We have become one with Christ and with the Father by the inclusion into His glory. This same glory perfects us, even as it unites us. Even if it seems that we are broken into millions of splintered parts in the Body of Christ, being in His glory unites us. It is vital that this glory of God shines from each of us as a witness and a testimony to others who desperately need it.
Numbers 14:21 and Habakkuk 2:14 tells us that the whole earth will be filled with the glory of the LORD, and with the knowledge of His glory, but, sadly, not all will see the same side of the glory. We are living in a time that is calling us to pray, calling us to sober watchfulness, for the glory is coming, and is even now here.
Our Father's glory has two sides.
"The Glory of Your Presence"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psuYGOHJ-1s
"Battle Hymn of the Republic"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4Xz7WV_qJs
No comments:
Post a Comment