We are in chapter fifteen of Exodus with our word for today which is actually two words both translated the same in English in our chapter. Our first word is גָּאוֹן height, exaltation, eminence, pride, presumption, stateliness, impressiveness in scale or proportion, glory, splendor, loftiness. It is used 49 times in the Old Testament. Our word is used to describe the greatness of nations. Isaiah 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the splendor and גְּא֣וֹן pomp of the Chaldeans, will be like Sodom and Gomorrah when God overthrew them. Nahum 2:2 For the Lord is restoring the גְּא֣וֹן majesty of Jacob as the כִּגְא֖וֹן majesty of Israel, for plunderers have plundered them and ruined their branches.
We find our word used to describe God’s greatness. Job 37:4-5 After it his voice roars; he thunders with his גְּאוֹנ֑וֹmajestic voice, and he does not restrain the lightnings when his voice is heard. God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend. God’s greatness is seen in his power to judge and punish sin. Isaiah 2:9-10, 19 Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made. So man is humbled, and each one is brought low— do not forgive them! Enter into the rock and hide in the dust from before the terror of the Lord, and from the splendor of גְּאֹנֽוֹ his majesty…And people shall enter the caves of the rocks and the holes of the ground, from before the terror of the Lord, and from the splendor of גְּאוֹנ֔וֹ his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth. God is worshiped for his greatness. Isaiah 24:14-16 They lift up their voices, they sing for joy; בִּגְא֣וֹן over the majesty of the Lord they shout from the west. Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord; in the coastlands of the sea, give glory to the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise, of glory to the Righteous One.
Our second word is אָדַר glorious, make or prove glorious, wide, great, high, noble, majestic, inspiring awe or reverence in the beholder. It is used 3 times in the Old Testament, 2 times in our chapter. We find our word used to describe the greatness of God’s word. Isaiah 42:21 It pleased the Lord for the sake of his righteousness to make his law great and וְיַאְדִּֽיר glorious. The other two are in our chapter. Let’s look at how both of our words are used together in our chapter. Exodus 15:6-7, 11 Your right hand, O Lord, נֶאְדָּרִ֖י glorious in power, your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. In the greatness of גְּאוֹנְךָ֖ your majesty you overthrow your adversaries; you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble…Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, נֶאְדָּ֣רmajestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
I’ll close with this prediction of Jesus or messianic prophecy that uses one of our words for today. Micah 5:2-5 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, בִּגְא֕וֹן in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace.
