As we enter the Christnas season, let’s explore what the glory of God is like. This week, thoughts from the Old Testament.
My thoughts of God’s glory goes to one word—light! However, it might take the form of fire or a cloud or a number of other ways. Let’s dig in.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1. But the earth was formless and empty and dark. So the first thing he said was, “Let there be light.” I believe this was his own shekinah glory emanating from himself. Physically speaking, he formed the sun and moon to give greater light and lesser light—the first complete day.
At times, God spoke through fire, the flickering light of a burning fire. Remember Moses as he spent his early life growing up in the house of the Pharaoh of Egypt, only to flee to the desert later. After 40 years tending sheep, he saw a bush burning.
When he rushed to it, God himself spoke to Moses. “Moses, take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Exodus 3:4-10. God instructed Moses to go back to Egypt to set free God’s chosen people. God had spoken to Moses through the light of that firery bush.
Ten major plagues later, the exodus from Egypt began. God led them in a distinct way.
By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, and so they could travel by day or night. Exodus 13:21
As they reached the Red Sea, they heard the thundrous sound of Egyptian horses and chariots. They were trapped!
The complaining begins. “It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” Exodus 14:14
Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. Exodus 14:19-20. God’s light guided the way.
Of course we know the rest of this powerful story of Moses’ obedience to God as he led these anxious travelers through the miraculous dry path of the sea. God saved his people, but closed the waters on the Egptian soldiers as they came marching (and drowning) through.
Turning now to David, he knew the glorious nearness of God. He proclaimed, “The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.” Psalm 19:1-3
Have you ever thought how God’s glory spreads all over the earth and to every language simply by looking up at the heavens by day or night? That is the light of the sun or the light of the moon and stars by night.
His glory shines through our dark nights of pain, just as it did for David. He wrote, “I will exalt you, O Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths. You turned my wailing into dancing,; that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.” Psalm 30:1, 11-12 Do you ever feel his glory that way?
As we have Christmas on our minds, we’ll be thinking about the light of God’s glory next time in the New Testament.
~ Joyce ~