And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side;
And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. This verse marks a crucial moment—God's glory begins departing from the temple. The glory (kavod, כָּבוֹד) previously rested on the cherubim above the ark in the holy of holies. Its movement to the threshold signals impending departure. God doesn't destroy His house while His presence remains; He withdraws first, then judgment falls. This demonstrates that the temple's sanctity derived from divine presence, not architectural status. When God departs, the building becomes mere stone awaiting destruction.
Historical Context
Solomon's temple dedication witnessed God's glory filling the house (1 Kings 8:10-11). For centuries, this presence validated temple worship. But persistent idolatry (Ezekiel 8) polluted the sanctuary, forcing God's departure. The staged withdrawal (from cherubim to threshold in 9:3, to temple entrance in 10:4, to east gate in 10:19, and finally leaving entirely in 11:23) demonstrated God's reluctance yet inevitability. When glory departed, Jerusalem became indefensible—the city's true protection was divine presence, not walls or armies.
Questions for Reflection
What does God's gradual, reluctant departure teach about His patience and grief over judgment?
How does divine presence determine a building's sacredness rather than architecture or tradition?
In what ways might God's presence depart from churches or individuals who persist in sin?
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Analysis & Commentary
And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. This verse marks a crucial moment—God's glory begins departing from the temple. The glory (kavod, כָּבוֹד) previously rested on the cherubim above the ark in the holy of holies. Its movement to the threshold signals impending departure. God doesn't destroy His house while His presence remains; He withdraws first, then judgment falls. This demonstrates that the temple's sanctity derived from divine presence, not architectural status. When God departs, the building becomes mere stone awaiting destruction.