The Mystery Discovered in the Glory of God
“The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel.”—Exodus 24:17
The glory of God is mentioned and described throughout scripture. Sometimes it is described as fire, and other times is it is described as an abundant provision and divine direction.
In the Westernized culture, the glory of God is an abstract concept nearly impossible to explain or understand.
However, when you study the Hebraic meaning of God’s glory, you begin to see and experience it in a new way—a way that will transform your faith.
The Hebraic Meaning of the Glory of God
Hebraic Thought
The Hebraic meanings of words are concrete. In the Hellenistic culture, the meanings of words are abstract. The concreteness of the Hebraic language reflects how the Israelites thought of the spiritual realm. It was intertwined with the physical realm.
They would look at the physical world around them—from an abundant harvest to a devastating famine—and relate it back to their relationship with the Lord.
When you know the context in which the ancient text was written, it comes to life. Verses such as Psalm 19:1 have transforming power…
- “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handwork.”
So, let’s look at the deeper meaning of the word ‘glory.’
The Hebrew Word for Glory | Kavod
The word kavod is often translated as ‘glory’ in the Bible.
Kavod means heaviness or physical weightiness, an immensity in a good sense. One example is the glory of God’s armor of protection.
- “‘For I,’ says the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’”—Zechariah 2:5
Kovod is also translated as wealth, reputation, a quantity or measurement of something, and splendor. In other words, to glorify something means to show respect and honor because it is of good reputation and splendid.
The Letters in Kavod and What They Represent
The letters that create the word kavod are: kaf, bet, vav, and dalet.
Kaf: This letter is depicted as a palm of the hand. It means to cover, open, or allow.
Bet: This letter is depicted as a tent. It means the house or family.
Vav. This letter is depicted as is an iron nail or wooden peg. It means to make secure, bind, or connect two separate things.
Dalet. This letter is depicted as a door. It means a pathway or a location where transformation takes place.
Therefore, the deeper Hebraic meaning of kavod is that God the Father will cover those in His family and open a pathway to a secure life.
In Exodus 33:18, Moses said to God, “Please, show me Your glory.” He is asking the Lord to show him how to move along His path in a secure way.
The Lord responded by saying, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” (Exodus 33:19).
In other words, the Lord is telling Moses that His glory will light the path before him. We must continuously look to Him to know our purpose and welcome the Spirit’s direction.
The Immensity and Intensity of the Glory of God
Those who are outside of God’s family cannot experience the glory of God. Remember, glory means weight or immensity.
Therefore, for those who have not been adopted by the Father by the blood of Yeshua, the glory or immensity of His presence would be so heavy that it will crush them. But for those who are covered by the blood, He allows them to pass through because of His covenant promise.
“And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”—Galatians 3:29
The Lord’s response to Moses’ request to show His glory in Exodus 33:20-23…
- “But He said, ‘You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.’ And the Lord said, ‘Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.’”
So then, God covers Believers (kaf) with His hand (see John 10:29), as He transforms our faith (dalet).
The Takeaway
The glory of God is weighty, transforming us as we experience Him. It can be described as a consuming fire He places within us, through the Holy Spirit, that welcomes His presence.
Second Chronicles 7:1 says…
- “When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.” (emphasis added)
In Acts 2:2-4, we see a similar experience…
- “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (emphasis added)
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19…
- “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (emphasis added)
By the presence of the Holy Spirit, the kavod, or the glory of God, dwells within those who put their trust in Yeshua and are grafted into God’s family.
The Son sent the Holy Spirit who reveals the Lord’s purpose and pathway for your life. The mystery discovered in God’s glory is your purpose!
Through this revelation, you can be assured and secured that what is written about you in the books of Heaven will come to pass as you experience more of Him.
“Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”
—Psalm 29:2
Allow His glory to fill you as you worship His name.
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