The pomp and grandeur of the procession that brought the Ark of the covenant from the tent that David constructed in Jerusalem to the finished temple are depicted in 2 Chronicles 5 and 1 Kings 8. David with all his passion, Solomon with all his wisdom, Harum with all his skill, and Israel with all their wealth did their best to make the celebration an event to honor God. However, when the glory (kabod in Hebrew) of the LORD filled the temple of God all men were truly humbled and elevated (14,15).
The LORD God is surrounded by light too luminous for humans to gaze upon without losing their eyesight. Thus, all those who have gazed upon the Lord’s radiant and brilliant wonder shielded their eyes. The glory of the Lord came on Mt. Sinai just after the Lord led the Israelites out of Egypt (Ex. 16:7-10, 24:16-17), in desert Tabernacle (Ex. 40:34-38; Lev. 9:6, 23; Num. 14:10), and in the Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:10-11; and 2 Chronicles 5:14, 7:1-3, Isa. 6:1-4).
Jesus prophesied to the Sanhedrin after he declared that he is the Messiah, “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:16) Jesus coming in the glory of the Lord is prophecies by Isaiah (Isaiah 4:2-6, 35:1-2, 40:4-5, 59:19-20, 60). Ezekiel also saw the glory of the Lord. (Ezekiel 1:25-28; 3:12, 22-23; 9:3-4; 10:3-4, 18-22; 11:22-23; 43:1-5; 44:4).
Luke 2:9 says the glory of the Lord shown over the shepherds when the angels said Jesus was born. Paul calls Jesus the “Lord of glory” in 1 Corinthians 2:8 and the “radiance of God’s glory” in Hebrews 1:3.
Jesus is my friend and shepherd. More than these he is also my master, my God, and my Lord. Reverance and fear of the Lord is known by those who draw close to his glory.
