The glory of God, as revealed in the scriptures, transcends mere physical splendor and encompasses the profound essence of His nature. Initially manifested as the Shekinah, a shining cloud or fiery pillar during the wilderness wanderings, it appeared over the tabernacle and temple, resting between the cherubim on the mercy seat. This visible presence, first seen by Moses in the burning bush where God was in the flame but not the flame itself, marked holy ground by His very presence. Throughout the Israelites' forty-year journey, this cloud and fire symbolized God's continual guidance and protection, a constant reminder that He was with them, yet they often strayed from His will. Beyond this physical representation, the glory of God is deeply tied to His character and essence. In encounters with Moses, God defined His glory not merely as radiance but as His goodness, His name, and attributes such as mercy, grace, longsuffering, truth, and judgment. This spiritual radiance, far surpassing mere visual splendor, moved Moses to worship, recognizing that only God's presence among them could enable the people to grasp and emulate such glory. Prophets like David and Isaiah further equated God's glory with His words, ways, righteousness, and knowledge, emphasizing that His true glory lies in what He is and how He lives. In the New Testament, this glory finds its fullest expression in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who tabernacled among us, full of grace and truth. His life and actions, such as the resurrection of Lazarus, revealed God's glory through acts of lovingkindness and faithfulness, serving as a witness to His divine mission. Jesus bore this glory, uniting the roles of King and Priest, and His transfiguration underscored that the real glory is in Him and His message, as God declared, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" Moreover, Jesus prayed for His followers to share in this same glory, not for personal aggrandizement but to demonstrate to the world that He was sent by God. This glory, once residing in the physical temple, now dwells within the church, the temple of the living God, through the Spirit. Thus, the glory of God, transferred in part to His people, calls them to reflect His character and purpose in their lives.

The Glory of God, known as the Shekinah, represents His visible presence among His people, a brilliant and glorious light enveloped in a cloud. This presence manifested as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, guiding, protecting, and comforting the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt and throughout their forty-year journey in the wilderness. On the night of their crossing of the Red Sea, this pillar moved behind them, forming a barrier between Israel and the Egyptian army, appearing dark and menacing to the Egyptians while providing brilliant, fiery light and comfort to the Israelites. The Shekinah symbolizes God's ongoing miracle of presence, a constant reminder to the Israelites that He was with them, visible over the tabernacle as a tremendous thundercloud glorious with fire. This visible Majesty of the Divine Presence filled the tabernacle when it was completed, and later Solomon's temple, signifying God dwelling among His people. The cloud and the glory are intertwined, representing God's dwelling place, often associated with the ark of the testimony and the mercy seat, where He sat between the Cherubim. God's Glory is not merely a physical manifestation like light or cloud, but a spiritual radiance of His holy, righteous character—His goodness, mercy, grace, and truth. When Moses asked to see His Glory, God responded by proclaiming His name and making all His goodness pass before him, revealing that His true Glory lies in His perfect attributes and the way He lives. This Glory overwhelms human beings, stripping away any sense of personal virtue or pride, as seen in the reactions of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Peter when confronted with His presence. In the journey of the Israelites, the pillar of cloud and fire remained with them, leading them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, to Sinai, and across the wilderness toward the Promised Land. This enduring presence underscores the necessity of God's Glory guiding His people through their spiritual trek, ensuring they do not perish in the wilderness of sin. Without this divine guidance and protection, the path to the Promised Land would be unattainable.

The Glory of God was first seen as a physical representation in the pillar of fiery cloud in the wilderness, signifying His presence with the Israelites for forty years. This fiery cloud, much like Jesus Christ as Emanuel, God with us, was a constant reminder of His nearness, visible day or night near the tabernacle. Later, this presence manifested as a thick cloud in the temple during its dedication, residing in the Holy of Holies on the Mercy Seat, symbolizing God on His throne of judgment among His people. The Jews named this presence Shekinah, though it narrowed their understanding of God to just that localized manifestation. God's Glory, however, is not merely the light or splendor of His Person, but is defined by His character, particularly His goodness and truth. This essence of His Glory was revealed through Jesus Christ, who embodied grace and truth, showing God's character in both His teachings and His life. His presence in us through His Spirit makes it possible for us to share in this Glory, though not yet in its fullness, with the promise of complete transformation one day. When the temple was destroyed, the Shekinah Glory was no longer found in the Holy of Holies. Instead, God's Glory now resides in us, as His Spirit dwells within us, not just with us, marking us as the temple of the Living God. This intimate presence calls for a response: to separate ourselves from the world, refrain from unclean practices, and pursue holiness through growth, enabled by God's strength within us. As we do so, we begin to reflect God's likeness, displaying His character through permanent experiential righteousness. Through Jesus Christ dwelling in us by His Spirit, combined with our cooperation, we are transformed into His image, progressing from glory to glory in ever-increasing measure. This process of glorification, culminating in the fullness of God's Glory at the resurrection, mirrors sanctification, both aiming to make us like Christ. Our hope of Glory strengthens as we grow in His image, supported by His gracious and faithful work to complete this transformation. Ultimately, God's Glory is seen in our behavior and the outworking of righteous character. As we manifest faith powerfully through works, we display His Glory in us and, in turn, glorify Him. With His Spirit of power, love, and sound mind working in us, we proclaim the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, reflecting the Glory of God through our righteous lives.

Central to the theme of national destruction and restoration is the departure of the glory of God from the Temple in Jerusalem and the prediction of its ultimate return. God's glory departed from the Temple due to a lack of the fruit of righteousness, evident in Sabbath-breaking, idolatry, and violence. Since Israel's witness was unrighteous, God was not being glorified, and thus, He removed His glory from the Temple as a sign of His displeasure. God expects His people to reflect His glory in their attitudes and actions as an example of righteousness to others. Glorifying God means to honor, magnify, and praise Him through actions and attitudes. Christ reveals that God is glorified when His people bear much fruit, such as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If attitudes and actions reflect this spiritual fruit, God's people will be glorifying Him in their lives. The glory of God is the revelation of His character and presence in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the brightness of the Father's glory. By producing the fruit of righteousness, Christ manifested God's glory. Through righteous conduct, God's people can reflect Christ's glory, letting His glory shine through them and making an acceptable witness of God before others. Violent and corrupt Israel did not represent and glorify God to the Gentile nations with the fruit of righteousness, leading to the removal of His glory from the Temple in Jerusalem. However, when Israel turns back to God and produces the fruit of righteousness in peace, God's glory will again brilliantly shine. Therefore, whether eating or drinking, or in whatever is done, all should be done to the glory of God.