POWER STUDY - A65

[Albert Finch]

Shekinah Glory

(Read Ephesians 2 & 3)

Exodus 25:8 & 40:34 8“Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. 34Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

(Shekinah is the Hebrew term (SEKINA) in Rabbinic literature which reverently expresses the divine presence. It is derived from the Hebrew word “SKN” which means to dwell, abide, and settle down. The term does not appear in the Old or New Testament. The correlation of Shekina – “that which dwells” with God’s presence is found in Exodus 25:8 and 40:34.)

1 Kings 8:10-11 10It happened that when the priests came from the holy place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD, 11so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.

(When the ark of the lord is placed in the temple in Jerusalem, a cloud representing the Shekinah subsequently falls on the temple thereby symbolizing it’s new habitation.)

Psalm 24:3-4 3Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place? 4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood And has not sworn deceitfully.
Matthew 5:8  - “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

(In the Old Testament the priests were commanded to wear a turban with a gold band attached to it. On the gold band the words “holiness unto the Lord” were engraved which speaks of purity; while the gold speaks of holiness. When God looked from the Shekinah glory at the priest standing in front of Him, He sees him pure and holy. In order to come before the holy presence of God to worship Him we need to have clean hands and a pure heart.)

John 1:14 14And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Ephesians 2:19-22 19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

(Several passages in the New Testament imply the belief that the Shekinah was first incarnate in Jesus (John 1:14) and later in the church (Ephesians 2:19-22).)

Ephesians 3:9-13, 20, 21 9and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. 13Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory. 20Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 10You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; 11just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, 12so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

(Other examples of how the believer is called to experience the Shekinah glory.)

Matthew 5:23-24 23“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

(We cannot worship God with sin in our hearts. Just as the priest should not even be spotted in his garments when coming before God, likewise our hearts must be clean and pure from spots.)

Leviticus 9:7 7Moses then said to Aaron, “Come near to the altar and offer your sin offering and your burnt offering, that you may make atonement for yourself and for the people; then make the offering for the people, that you may make atonement for them, just as the LORD has commanded.”

(Before a priest could offer sacrifices for others, he had to offer one for himself, to be purified from sin.)

Psalm 19:12-13; 51:2 12 Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. 13Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;Let them not rule over me; Then I will be £blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression. 2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin.

(Before we can offer spiritual sacrifices to God, we should examine our hearts from any presumptuous sin and ask the Holy Spirit to cleanse us from any hidden sins lurking in our hearts.)

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY