“Our forefathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the desert. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. Having received the tabernacle, our fathers under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, Acts 7:44-45 NIV
The people, under the direction of Moses, kept the temple of God with them at all times. They needed it, because it represented the glory of God to them. In the Psalms, we read that “the heavens declare the glory of God” and in the Proverbs that it is “the glory of God to conceal a matter. To search it out is the glory of kings.” Throughout mankind, men have sought after the glory of God. It may have taken on different appearances or been referred to as different events or even religions, but if traced back to its root desire, people want to see God’s glory.
When the Israelites went into a strange land, often the people in the new area would rebel against the Israelites. They were afraid of them, because they had heard of God’s glory. To them, God’s glory was so magnificent that they were afraid to have it near them. They didn’t understand it, realized they didn’t have it, and so they avoided at any cost. Today, people are avoiding the glory of God for the same reasons.
The glory of God, though misunderstood at times, is the same glory which created all living things. That glory brought forth mankind and sent the Son to the Cross. The glory of the Lord will one day open up the Heavens and send down our Redeemer. We shall behold Him face to face, even in all of His glory.
