God's GloryMuestra

God's glory departs from the temple

“Then the glory of the Lord went out from the threshold of the house” (Ezekiel 10:18)

The Israelites were fully aware of their unique position as God's people. Of course, people from other nations could also belong to God, but to no other people had the Lord revealed Himself in such detail as to Israel. And nowhere else on earth was He so especially present as in the temple in Jerusalem. Some Israelites thought their special position protected them against anything. They ignored God's rules and did whatever they wanted. Nothing could happen to them, they thought, since God would never allow His people and temple to be destroyed or taken over by other nations.

But the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel made clear that this reasoning is wrong. Ezekiel saw in a vision how God's glory would withdraw from the temple in Jerusalem because of the idolatry and other abominations taking place there. And when God's glory no longer dwelled there, the temple was just a building made of wood and stone. God allowed enemies to destroy it.

He is not bound to any place. His glory cannot be ‘captured’ in religious acts. We humans can’t control Him! We should rather stand before Him in awe and obedience.

What is your attitude toward the Lord God?