The Shekinah Glory of God
- Ken Kalis
- Sep 22
- 4 min read
Have you seen the Glory of God? Of course you have.
It is clearly seen in His creation (Romans 1:19-20)
Moses and Ezekiel saw it in the Old Testament.
John testifies: we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14
We can see it today in Jesus as He reveals Himself today in the Bible.
Want a shortcut? Read Revelation!
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The Glory Appears at the Tabernacle (Leviticus 9:23)
“And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people.”
This first appearance happened at a key turning point: Moses* (1571-1451 BC) (for the last time) and Aaron* (1574-1452 BC) (for the first time) entered the tabernacle as priests. Moses was handing over his priestly role, and Aaron was being fully initiated into the office God had called him to (Heb. 5:4).
An asterisk* after a name indicates that person appears in my book SPIRITUAL LIVES
Read more theolphanies on my blog at https://www.kenkalis.com/blog
As they came out together to bless the people, the glory of the Lord appeared to all. Commentators remind us that this manifestation confirmed God’s acceptance of the priesthood and sacrificial system He had ordained. Some even see in it a foreshadowing of Christ*, (4BC-30AD) the true High Priest and final sacrifice.
In other words, the glory came as a sign of God’s pleasure in His appointed way of redemption.
The Glory That Fills Spaces
Again and again, Scripture emphasizes the overwhelming fullness of God’s glory:
“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.” (Exod. 40:35)
Twice, priests were unable to minister because the glory filled the temple with such power (1 Kgs. 8:10–11; 2 Chr. 5:14).
In another moment, the priests could not even enter at all (2 Chr. 7:2).
Ezekiel* (622-570 BC) testifies that when he saw the glory, he fell on his face (Ezek. 3:23).
The glory of the Lord is vast and irresistible. It cannot be contained. Wherever His glory rests, it fills and dominates the space. Nothing else can stand before it.
What This Means for Us in Christ
The phrase “the glory of the LORD” appears 36 times in the King James Bible (34 in the Old Testament, 2 in the New). In the Old Testament, it was often visible as cloud and fire. But in the New Testament, John* (5-100) tells us: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father” (John 1:14).
Jesus is the Shekinah Glory in human flesh—the radiance of God revealed, the One who tabernacled among us (Heb. 1:3). Through His sacrifice and resurrection, we now have access to the presence of God in a way Israel never did (Eph. 2:18). His glory no longer dwells in a tent or a temple, but in the hearts of those who believe.
And one day, Scripture promises, we will dwell in a city that does not need of sun or moon, “for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp” (Rev. 21:23).
Living in the Light of His Glory
So how should we respond to God’s Shekinah Glory?
With awe and reverence – recognizing that His presence is holy.
With gratitude – that through Christ’s blood we have fellowship with Him.
With hope – looking forward to the day when we will see His glory unhindered.
With surrender – allowing His Spirit to fill every corner of our lives, just as His glory once filled the tabernacle.
The same glory that made priests fall silent and prophets fall prostrate is now at work in us. And just as Aaron and Moses came out to bless the people in God’s name, we too are called to be vessels through which His glory shines into a dark world.
Closing Thought
God’s Shekinah Glory is not just a relic of Israel’s wilderness journey. It is the living reality of Christ dwelling in us by His Spirit. May we live as those who carry His presence, shine His light, and long for the day when His glory will fill the earth as the waters cover the sea.
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Cor. 4:6)
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I have walked alone with Jesus
in a fellowship divine.
Never more can earth allure me,
I am His and He is mine.
On the mountain I have seen Him,
Christ my Comforter and Friend
And the glory of His presence
Will be with me to the end.
I have seen Him, I have known Him,
And He deigns to walk with me;
And the glory of His presence will
be mine eternally.
Oh, the glory of His presence,
Oh, the beauty of His face,
I am His and His forever,
He has saved me by His grace.
-- Oswald J. Smith, 1889-1986
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