House of God

Your Church: House of God or Ichabod?
By Michael Tummillo

Most of us have surely heard the church building on the corner referred to as "the house of God." Have you ever heard the Word “Ichabod”? Other than the first name of the schoolmaster character in Washington Irving's "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" – the word “Ichabod” was originally mentioned in Scripture. "Then she named the child Ichabod, saying, "The glory has departed from Israel! "because the ark of God had been captured," (1Sam. 4:21). The original meaning of Ichabod is this: "the glory has departed".

Logic tells us that the word "has departed" denotes simply that there used to be glory, and now there isn't. The term originated in reference to what many refer to as "the Shekinah (SHE'KEE'NA) glory" which is the manifestation of the glory of God in the temple at Jerusalem - the place where God resided. This "Shekinah" was displayed in several ways in Scripture including the burning bush, the bright light when the angels announced the birth of Christ to the shepherds, etc. The Shekinah was only present when the Ark of the Covenant was in its proper place, in the Holy of Holies. Historically, whenever the Ark was NOT in the temple, the temple was said to be "Ichabod." The real substance and meaning of the temple was missing. It was merely an empty habitation at that point because the essence - the glory of God - was gone.

There are many references to the "glory of God" throughout Scripture. It is the direct reminder of God's power and interaction with His people. The word "glory" is one that is often misunderstood. Though most would agree that the word implies praise, honor and fame, a more complete definition includes the words splendor, magnificence and radiance. Now, apply that definition to any verse regarding "the glory of God" and it changes its meaning in a powerful way.

Today, in this Age of Grace, the glory of God is manifest through the lives of those truly serving Him. Notice: through the LIVES - NOT the buildings. Our lives are intended to form the visible manifestation of God's splendor, magnificence and radiance. Until we renew our minds to this truth, it ain't happenin'. When it does, through the ministry of a relative few, we see them as being "more holy" or "more spiritual" than the rest of us, as if they set the standard to which the rest of us can aspire. That's unfortunate for, if we are to compare ourselves with anyone, that person should be Jesus. He alone is our standard.