God's Glory: Transcendence, Imminence, and Christophany

 

Summary

In our exploration of Moses and the burning bush, we delve into the profound manifestation of God's glory through the Shekinah. This encounter is not just a historical event but a vivid illustration of God's transcendence and imminence. God, in His transcendence, is above and beyond the created order, yet He is also imminent, present with us through His omnipresence and redemptive history. This duality is beautifully illustrated in the burning bush, where God's glory is both a consuming fire and a divine presence that engages with Moses.

We also explore the concept of Christophany, the pre-incarnate appearances of Christ in the Old Testament. These manifestations reveal the Second Person of the Trinity actively participating in the divine narrative long before the incarnation. We see this in the mysterious figure of Melchizedek, who blesses Abraham and is recognized as a priest of the Most High God. The author of Hebrews later identifies Jesus as a priest in the order of Melchizedek, emphasizing His eternal priesthood that transcends the Levitical order.

Further, we examine the encounter of Joshua with the commander of the Lord's army, a Christophany that underscores the divine presence and authority guiding Israel. Similarly, in the fiery furnace, the presence of a fourth figure, "like the Son of God," with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, highlights God's protective and redemptive presence amidst trials.

The Shekinah glory, a recurring theme in the Old Testament, is not merely a symbol but a tangible expression of God's majesty and holiness. It is seen in the chariot of fire that takes Elijah to heaven and in Ezekiel's vision of God's throne. These manifestations remind us of God's sovereignty and His active involvement in the world.

Ultimately, the Shekinah finds its fullest expression in Christ, who is described as the brightness of God's glory. Christ is the visible manifestation of God's eternal glory, the light that illuminates the divine majesty. This profound truth invites us to contemplate the depth of God's nature and the mystery of His presence in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- God's transcendence and imminence are beautifully illustrated in the burning bush, where His glory is both a consuming fire and a divine presence that engages with Moses. This duality reminds us that God is both above creation and intimately involved in our lives. [02:29]

- Christophany, the pre-incarnate appearances of Christ, reveals the active participation of the Second Person of the Trinity in the Old Testament. These manifestations, such as Melchizedek and the commander of the Lord's army, highlight Christ's eternal priesthood and divine authority. [07:16]

- The presence of a fourth figure in the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego underscores God's protective and redemptive presence amidst trials. This Christophany assures us of God's unwavering support and deliverance in our own fiery trials. [14:25]

- The Shekinah glory, seen in the chariot of fire and Ezekiel's vision, is a tangible expression of God's majesty and holiness. These manifestations remind us of God's sovereignty and His active involvement in the world, calling us to worship and reverence. [16:30]

- Christ, as the brightness of God's glory, is the visible manifestation of the divine majesty. This profound truth invites us to contemplate the depth of God's nature and the mystery of His presence in our lives, encouraging us to seek His light in our spiritual journey. [21:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:32] - A Personal Encounter with Philosophy
- [01:57] - Understanding God's Transcendence and Imminence
- [03:27] - The Burning Bush: A Divine Encounter
- [04:13] - Exploring Christophany
- [05:33] - Melchizedek: A Mysterious Priesthood
- [07:54] - The Greater Priesthood of Melchizedek
- [09:51] - Joshua's Encounter with the Divine Commander
- [12:34] - The Fiery Furnace: A Christophany
- [15:13] - Elijah's Chariot of Fire
- [17:12] - Ezekiel's Vision of God's Throne
- [19:06] - The Shekinah in the Tabernacle
- [20:21] - Christ: The Brightness of God's Glory
- [22:14] - The Logos and the Shekinah
- [22:44] - Conclusion and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Exodus 3:1-6 - The Burning Bush
2. Genesis 14:18-20 - Melchizedek Blesses Abraham
3. Daniel 3:19-25 - The Fiery Furnace

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Observation Questions:

1. In the encounter with the burning bush, how is God's transcendence and imminence demonstrated? [03:27]
2. What role does Melchizedek play in Abraham's story, and why is he significant in the context of Christ's priesthood? [05:33]
3. Describe the scene in the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Who is the fourth figure, and what is his significance? [14:25]
4. How does the Shekinah glory manifest in the story of Elijah's chariot of fire? [15:54]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the burning bush illustrate the dual nature of God's transcendence and imminence, and what does this reveal about His relationship with creation? [03:27]
2. In what ways does the figure of Melchizedek prefigure Christ's eternal priesthood, and why is this important for understanding Jesus' role as our High Priest? [07:16]
3. What does the presence of the fourth figure in the fiery furnace teach us about God's protective and redemptive presence during trials? [14:25]
4. How do the various manifestations of the Shekinah glory throughout the Old Testament, such as in Ezekiel's vision, emphasize God's sovereignty and active involvement in the world? [17:12]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in a challenging situation. How did this experience shape your understanding of His imminence? [02:58]
2. Considering the role of Melchizedek, how can you recognize and honor the spiritual leaders in your life who guide you in your faith journey? [07:54]
3. When facing your own "fiery trials," how can you remind yourself of God's protective presence, as seen with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? [14:25]
4. The Shekinah glory calls us to worship and reverence. What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to cultivate a deeper sense of awe and worship for God's majesty? [16:30]
5. How can the understanding of Christ as the brightness of God's glory influence the way you seek His light in your spiritual journey? [21:05]
6. In what ways can you actively seek to experience God's transcendence and imminence in your daily life, and how might this change your perspective on the challenges you face? [02:29]
7. Identify a situation where you need to trust in God's sovereignty. How can you apply the lessons from the Shekinah glory to find peace and assurance in His active involvement? [17:12]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Transcendence and Imminence in the Burning Bush
In the encounter of Moses with the burning bush, we witness a profound illustration of God's dual nature: His transcendence and imminence. God is depicted as a consuming fire, representing His holiness and power that is beyond the created order. Yet, He is also present and engaging with Moses, showing His intimate involvement in human affairs. This duality reminds us that God is both above creation and intimately involved in our lives, guiding and sustaining us through His omnipresence and redemptive history. [02:29]

Exodus 3:2-4 (ESV): "And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, 'I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.' When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, 'Moses, Moses!' And he said, 'Here I am.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you recognize God's presence in your daily life, even in the ordinary or unexpected moments?


Day 2: Christophany: Christ's Active Presence in the Old Testament
Christophany refers to the pre-incarnate appearances of Christ in the Old Testament, revealing the active participation of the Second Person of the Trinity in the divine narrative. These manifestations, such as Melchizedek and the commander of the Lord's army, highlight Christ's eternal priesthood and divine authority. Through these appearances, we see that Christ's role in God's plan of salvation is not limited to the New Testament but is woven throughout the entire biblical narrative. [07:16]

Hebrews 7:1-3 (ESV): "For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever."

Reflection: How does understanding Christ's presence in the Old Testament enhance your view of His eternal role in your life today?


Day 3: God's Protective Presence in the Fiery Furnace
The presence of a fourth figure in the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego underscores God's protective and redemptive presence amidst trials. This Christophany assures us of God's unwavering support and deliverance in our own fiery trials. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is with us in our struggles, providing strength and comfort, and ultimately delivering us from harm. [14:25]

Daniel 3:24-25 (ESV): "Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, 'Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?' They answered and said to the king, 'True, O king.' He answered and said, 'But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.'"

Reflection: What current trial are you facing where you need to trust in God's protective presence, and how can you actively seek His support?


Day 4: The Shekinah Glory: A Tangible Expression of God's Majesty
The Shekinah glory, seen in the chariot of fire and Ezekiel's vision, is a tangible expression of God's majesty and holiness. These manifestations remind us of God's sovereignty and His active involvement in the world, calling us to worship and reverence. The Shekinah is not merely a symbol but a powerful demonstration of God's presence and authority, inviting us to acknowledge His greatness and respond with awe and devotion. [16:30]

Ezekiel 1:26-28 (ESV): "And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance. And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and worship in your daily life, acknowledging God's majesty and holiness?


Day 5: Christ: The Brightness of God's Glory
Christ, as the brightness of God's glory, is the visible manifestation of the divine majesty. This profound truth invites us to contemplate the depth of God's nature and the mystery of His presence in our lives. Christ illuminates the divine majesty, revealing God's character and inviting us to seek His light in our spiritual journey. As we reflect on Christ's role as the brightness of God's glory, we are encouraged to draw closer to Him and allow His light to guide and transform us. [21:05]

Hebrews 1:3 (ESV): "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to seek Christ's light and allow His presence to transform you?

Quotes

"And, we see this combination of transcendence and imminence in the burning bush, because the glory, the fire, was a manifestation of the transcendent God, of the creator, which you don't normally find in bushes. But here, he is making himself known by manifesting his presence here in this world by visiting Moses in this encounter in the desert." [00:03:27]

"Christophany refers to a pre-incarnate manifestation of Christ. That is, it addresses the question, 'Do we find Christ, or the Second Person of the Trinity, anywhere manifested in the Old Testament?' And, there are several passages in the Old Testament that biblical scholars, and I certainly believe, indicate the presence of Christophany." [00:04:13]

"Because the Bible teaches that Jesus is not only our King after the line of David, but he is now entered into the heavenly holy of holies as our Great High Priest. So people raise the question, how can he be a king and a priest? The Davidic King has to come from the tribe of Judah." [00:06:07]

"Well, as you know, the author of Hebrews answers that question by showing that Jesus is a priest not of the Levitical order, not of the Aaronic priesthood, but a priest after the order of Melchizedek -- referring back to the passage that I just read to you." [00:07:54]

"And this we see as a Christophany, the Second Person of the Trinity appearing in history before the conquest of the Promised Land. Or, let's look further if you will in the book of Daniel, chapter 3, verse 19." [00:12:34]

"Christophany, I believe. The Second Person of the Trinity came into the fire for his servants, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and protected them from all harm. In the Old Testament, the Shekinah Glory and the burning fire that manifested not only Christophany but back to theophany, occurs also in the episode of the translation of Elijah into heaven." [00:15:13]

"Again, that chariot of fire manifested the divine Glory. This was another manifestation of Shekinah that surrounded the presence of God. Again, the chariot of fire was God's mobile throne. His throne was not seen inert, fixed, and stationary at some corner in heaven." [00:16:30]

"The burning bush where Moses first glimpses the Shekinah is not the last episode. Throughout the book of Exodus, God appears again and again as he leads the people of Israel through the wilderness or the pillar of clouds by day and the pillar of fire by night." [00:19:06]

"The Shekinah is the outward manifestation of the inward majesty of God, but where does the light come from? What gives it its hue? Its transcendent, majestic refulgence. Where does it come from? The author of Hebrews answers that question when it speaks of Christ." [00:20:21]

"Christ is the visible manifestation of the eternal Glory of God. Christ in his divine nature is the Shekinah. He's the one who lights up the light, who gives the fire and the flame to the Glory of God. That's an incredible thing." [00:21:05]

"You can think about that for the rest of your days and never begin to get to the bottom of the depths of that -- that Christ is the brightness of his Glory. That is to say the logical conclusion would be if there is Christ, if there is no Second Person of the Trinity, then there's only darkness in God." [00:21:45]

"The Logos is the Godness of God, the very brightness of his Glory." [00:22:44]

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Transcript
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