Isaiah 35:2c
©️2020 Gloria M. Chang
They will see the glory of the Lord,
Isaiah 35:2c
the splendor of our God.
First Witnesses of the Glory of the Lord
About seven hundred years after the prophecy of Isaiah, the Blessed Virgin Mary gave birth to the promised Messiah in Bethlehem under the protection of St. Joseph. Outside of the Holy Family, the first Israelites to “see the glory of the Lord” were the humble shepherds. As the angel of the Lord descended upon them in the field at night, “the glory of the Lord shone around them” (Luke 2:9). A multitude of the heavenly host praised God for the birth of the infant king:
“Glory to God in the highest
Luke 2:14
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Matthew narrates the incredible journey of the eastern magi to worship the “newborn king of the Jews” by following a star (Matthew 2:1-12). At the presentation of Jesus in the Jerusalem Temple, the righteous Simeon and the prophetess Anna rejoiced to lay eyes on their Savior—“a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel” (Luke 2:32). Thus, at Christ’s first coming, both Jews and Gentiles witnessed “the glory of the Lord” and “the splendor of our God,” fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah.
John 1:14 (ESV)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Traditional Chinese Translation
《以賽亞書 35章 第 4 天》
人必看見耶和華的榮耀，
我們神的華美。
The splendor of our God,
Or the glory of the Lord:
Which would I prefer to see?
I’d be happy with a glimpse of glory,
Or a sneak peek at God’s splendor.
Such small revelations preview
God’s gracious, greatest story.
When I am at the end of my years,
May I enter fully into the Book of Life.
May my eyes see the Author of Life.
and hear a voice say, no more tears.
Delightful and sweet! May the splendor and glory of the Lord envelop you!
I’m thinking about “splendor” as in the song, “Love is a many splendored thing.” Love is layered with many meanings from “I love pizza” to “I love you dearly.” Or “love your enemies.” I’ll never peel away the depth of God’s love revealed in a dark glass now. Yet I bow before each glimpse of God-ness I receive.
Lord, give me an open heart to receive grace.
They will see the glory of the Lord,
the splendor of our God.
Isaiah 35:2c
God is Love—many splendored and tri-personal. Love is diversity, unity, symmetry—of flowers and galaxies, snails and shells. Love is an epiphany in a manger!
Amen Alleluia!