What Is the Meaning of The Glory of God? Part 1

Many of us only have a vague idea of the meaning of the Glory of God, even though it is a prominent theme in the Bible and the Christian life. The more I understand it, the harder it is to explain. But for the next two blogs, I will do my best, by God's grace, to help us meditate on it.

The Meaning of Glory

The Hebrew and Greek words translated as ‘glory’ in the Bible carry the root idea of ‘heaviness’ (of ‘weight’), ‘worthiness’, or ‘reputation’ (a). Think of someone who captivates your attention when you are around them. Maybe it's their appearance, eloquence, kindness, knowledge, or other things; but their entire person exudes something and carries a certain 'weight' that leaves an impression. The Biblical writers would call this their glory. Some glories, such as wealth and physical beauty, fade while others carry into eternity. God tells us not to pursue the former but the latter, which can only be found in Christ, the most Glorious of all. By faith in Jesus, as we behold His Glory, we are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another (2 Cor. 3:18). 

Everything God created has a glory (how could they not?) (b). Humans have a glory beyond any other creature because we bear the image of God. God's Glory is transcendent and surpasses all other glories. All other glories point to the Glory of the Maker of all things. On Resurrection and Glorification Day, we shall behold the fullness of the Glory of God in Christ Jesus. But right now, no fallen human can. One man came close though.

Moses and the Glory of God

It had only been a few months since the Israelites left Egypt, set free by the mighty hand of God. For forty days and forty nights, Moses had been on Mount Sinai, receiving instructions from God to build the Tabernacle and ordain the Priesthood. Meanwhile, the people of Israel decided to build an idol and worshiped it. This sin greatly displeased the Lord (and Moses) (c). 

When it was time to leave Sinai and go to the promised land, the Lord promised to be true to himself and keep His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He promised to send an angel before them and drive out their enemies; But He would not go with them, lest His holiness destroy them on the way. A remarkable conversation between God and Moses ensued (d).

As God's appointed mediator (a foreshadowing of Jesus), Moses pleaded with God to journey with them. And God said: ''My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest". But Moses was not quite reassured. He pleaded a second time and God reassured him again. Then, Moses makes a final prayer but this time, he asks for something that may appear odd. You see, Moses was not quite convinced that God would not forsake them. After all, God would be completely justified in abandoning these 'stiff-necked people' right there and then. But instead of asking for another promise, Moses asked God: 'Show me your Glory' (e).

Moses wanted to see the essence of God's very Being. He wanted to know that God's Words matched his Character. That is what would get him to trust his promise. No doubt, Moses had many encounters with God and got a taste of His Glory. No doubt, he experienced the awe and comfort that comes from beholding the Sovereign God who loves us. But right here, Moses was asking for something more — a greater vision and a sweeter taste of God's Glory. And Our Gracious Lord granted his request, with a caveat. He said: " 'I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name' […] But […] 'you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live. […] while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by.' " (f).

Remarkable! When was the last time you asked God to show you his Glory in prayer or through His Word? When fear and sorrow take hold of us, there is no better time to ask for this and to expect our Good God to comfort us with a glorious revelation of who he is. His Glory is captivating, energizing, purifying, and altogether life-giving.

Who Is God?

What makes God the 'weightiest', most valuable, most beautiful, most admirable, and most worthy? Back to our story. Of all the glorious things that God is, pay attention to what he specifically choses to say about Himself to Moses:

Amazing, right? In the next blog, we will dive into it. Stay tuned!

NOTE & SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

(a) GORY. New Bible Dictionary by J.I. Packer and D.J. Wiseman. 3rd Edition. Page 414-415.

(b) 1 Corinthians 15:40-41 (ESV): There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for a star differs from star in glory.

(c) Exodus 32

(d) Exodus 33:1-3 (ESV): The Lord said to Moses, “Depart; go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give it.’ I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.”

(e) Exodus 33:13-18 (ESV): Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” Moses said, “Please show me your glory.”

(f) Exodus 33:19-23 (ESV): And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”