Connect Ezekiel 9:3 with other instances of God's glory departing in Scripture.

Setting the Scene in Ezekiel 9:3

“Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub on which it rested to the threshold of the house…” (Ezekiel 9:3)

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The Progressive Exit of Glory in Ezekiel

• 9:3 – Glory rises from the inner-court cherubim to the threshold.

• 10:4 – “Then the glory of the LORD rose from above the cherubim to the threshold of the temple, and the temple was filled with the cloud…”

• 10:18-19 – Glory moves to the east gate, hovering above the departing cherubim.

• 11:22-23 – Glory leaves the city entirely, resting above the Mount of Olives before departing.

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Earlier Old-Testament Departures

• 1 Samuel 4:21-22 – Ichabod: “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”

• Hosea 9:12 – “Woe to them when I depart from them!”

• Jeremiah 7:14 – “I will do to the house called by My Name…as I did to Shiloh,” foretelling His presence leaving the temple site.

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Second-Temple Warning

• Matthew 23:38 – “Look, your house is left to you desolate.” The incarnate Glory (John 1:14) walks out, echoing Ezekiel’s vision.

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Why the Glory Leaves

• Persistent idolatry and violence (Ezekiel 8).

• Disregard for God’s covenant (1 Samuel 2:12-17; 2 Chronicles 36:14-16).

• Rejection of the Messiah (Matthew 23:37).

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Shared Results Across the Passages

• Spiritual desolation replaces divine presence.

• Protection lifts; judgment follows (Ezekiel 9:5-7; 1 Samuel 4:10-11).

• A remnant is marked and preserved (Ezekiel 9:4; Romans 11:5).

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Hope of Returning Glory

• Ezekiel 43:2-5 – “The glory of the LORD entered the temple…”

• John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us.”

• Revelation 21:3, 23 – God’s glory permanently dwells with His people in the New Jerusalem.

The pattern is clear: whenever God’s people spurn His holiness, His manifest glory withdraws; yet He graciously promises to return when repentance and restoration come.