THE SHEKINAH OR GLORY OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT--PSALM 29:1-4

THE SHEKINAH OR GLORY OF GOD

IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

PSALM 29:1-4

Introduction:

The word “Shekinah” does not appear in the Scriptures, but is a Hebrew word that is the nearest Jewish equivalent to the Holy Spirit. It became with other OT derivatives such as Word, Wisdom, Spirit, etc., a bridge between man’s bodily substance and God’s excellence.

All in all it refers to God’s glory.

I. GOD MANIFESTED HIS PRESENCE, vs. 3-4

A. Upon Mount Sinai to Moses and the people of Israel, Exodus 19:16, “And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.”

1. There were “thunders and lightnings, Exodus 20:18, “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.”

2. Even in Heaven God’s glory is manifested in the same way, Revelation 4:5, “And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.”

B. At times God’s glory was not so dramatic as in the case of Elijah, 1 Kings 19:12-13,“And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13- And it was so , when Elijah heard it , that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?”

II. GOD DWELLS AMONG HIS PEOPLE

A. God manifested His presence to guide His people in the wilderness, Exodus 13:21, “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.”

B. He manifested His presence in the Tabernacle and the Temple, Exodus 25:8, “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.”

1. It was a visible manifestation, Exodus 40:34-35, “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”

2. When God was not pleased with His people the cloud was taken away, Numbers 12:10, “And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.”

C. God manifested His glory in the visions of the prophets, Ezekiel 43:1-3, Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east: 2- And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory. 3- And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face.”

III. THE SHEKINAH GLORY OF GOD MANIFESTED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

A. At the Birth of Christ, Luke 2:8-9, “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.”

1. The Angels of God declared His glory, Luke 2:13-14, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

2. Steven saw the glory of God, Acts 7:55, “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,”

B. At the Transfiguration of the Lord Jesus, Matthew 17:5, “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”

1. Peter, James and John were witnesses of His majesty, 2 Peter 1:16-18, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17- For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18- And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.”

2. Jesus, equal with God, but took on the form of a servant, Philippians 2:6-7, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7- But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”