It was his contagious smile, his warmth, his energy, his love for life, and his love for God that won my sister’s heart a million times over.
Cheron McNeil Boyd was his name, and there was a winsome glory about him that was not really about him but about the God who lived within him. The day Cheron went to be with the Lord, there wasn’t a dry eye in sight. Family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbors all wept copiously, united in the intense sadness and sobering reality of my brother-in-law’s departure. Though his body was present that day, the glory that had distinguished him and made him so affectionately magnetic, had departed. The only hope left to hold on to was memories shared with Cheron and the promise of a future glory to come.
The sobering reality of loss and departure is where we find ourselves in Ezekiel 10. Ezekiel sees a vision similar to the one he saw in chapter 1, but this time there’s a significant difference. God’s kabowd—His manifest glory—is not dwelling but departing, step by step making its way to the temple exit, by way of a familiar cloud. In Exodus, this cloud served as God’s manifest presence by which He led His people by day and as a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 40:34–38). In Ezekiel 10, we see punishment coming by fire and God’s glory leaving the temple by cloud.
Pause to take in this moment in today’s reading:
“Then the glory of the LORD moved away from the threshold of the temple…” (Ezekiel 10:18).
It can be easy to breeze past the significance of this verse, but I pray we don’t miss the grave warning God communicates here: sin hinders our ability to truly behold God’s glory. Always. It was true for these Israelites then and it’s true for you and me now.
As we consider this truth, my encouragement for us today, during this Lenten season, is to ask ourselves what sins (pride, jealousy, anger, bitterness, materialism, comparison) have been hindering us from truly beholding God’s glory.
Though God’s glory departed (Ezekiel 10:18), His promises did not. A greater glory and temple came in the fullness of Jesus Christ to dwell among God’s people, just as it was prophesied. And though we eagerly await Christ’s final return, today, God’s glory continues to dwell in His temple—His body, the Church. That’s you and me—believers, imperfect yet indwelt with God’s Spirit!
And one day, we will perfectly dwell with God—unhindered, undisturbed, unmoved by sin but propelled by His glorious presence, surrounded by a multitude of believers. And I’m confident that amongst the multitude I will see Cheron again—healed, restored, and radiant with the glory of His creator.
So good this afternoon, I always need the reminder that sin is what separates us from the savior
Oh God, it’s overwhelming to count out my sins and how they make me distant from you. I have a prideful, envious, and lust heart and I compare myself to everyone a lot. These things weigh me down everyday and distract me from your glory and your purpose for me. Please help me to see what matters most.
The imagery is tripping me up. I read passages over and over and then have to go look for commentary. Hard to decipher. I was so focused on Cherubim vs Cherubs that I actually missed the Lord spirit leaving the temple. I had to go and reread again. I suppose I’m not letting the main thing be the main thing.
This is so powerful! I’m falling in love all over again. This time it’s hitting my soul
I did the same thing; so helpful!
Reading about the glory of God leaving the temple, makes me realize the promise of the Holy Spirit for us in the New Testament – as a seal/ a down payment ( 2 Corinthians 1:22) is such a generous gift. Especially with the promise that His Spirit /the Comforter will not leave us ( I will pray the Father, He will give you another Helper that He may abide with you forever, John14:16). How good is this! Glory to Him. There is so much grace, abundant grace, amazing grace here, that us now – we won’t suffer wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9), but His Spirit works through us with many many course corrections the moment we fall, guide us daily and consistently to lead to our repentance, because He who started the good work in us will continue to completion until the day of the Lord. Amen.
@Jennifer loves Jesus: happy belated birthday to you. Hope you had an amazing one.
@Angie: praying for your husband and for the improvement of your relationship with the “bully”. May you win her over for the Lord’s glory.
@Heidi: praying for your nieces and everyone involved.
@Victoria E: please be strong. The enemy also planted fear and confusion in my head in the last few weeks of my pregnancy too, a whole lot of what-ifs, it’s just ridiculous. And it got to me. I went through the same. I was reciting scriptures to counter these fear, day in, day out (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:31, Psalm 91, Psalm 23). Victoria, you got this! You will be victorious because of God. To God be the glory.
Angie, praying for your husband and for you as you both deal with his bad hip and the pain.
Churchmouse, thank you for your thoughts today. It brings a new light to this sadness in Ezekiel.