Glory of the Forefathers

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1. Introduction

This series will look at the glorification of man, Jesus and believers. We will look at the glory of the forefathers in this lesson, then the glory of the Old and New Covenants. The two central scriptures to compare everything with is Jesus’ glorification on the Mount of Transfiguration. 

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.

Matthew 17:1-2, (Mark 9:1–13; Luke 9:27–36; 2 Pet. 1:16–18)

And the glorification of the believers in Christ.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 3:18

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are the forefathers. And then Joseph, the son of Jacob, received a different type of glory. The glory of the forefathers starts with the first forefather, Abraham.

2. Abraham Wealth: Glory of the First of the Forefathers

A. Abraham’s Glory was Related to Physical Riches:

Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.

Genesis 13:2

The word rich used here is the root word for glory:

ḵâḇaḏ; כָּבֵד a primitive root; to be heavy, numerous, rich, honourable; to make weighty — abounding with, glorify, be (make) glorious (things), glory, (very) great, be (make) heavy,

B. Abraham’s Glory came Through Blessing from God:

I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.

Genesis 12:2

We look at his wealth in detail in Abramahic Covenant Brings Wealth.

3. Isaac’s Riches: Glory of the Second of the Forefathers

The second of the forefathers shows that riches are still related to glory, although not defined as such.

A. Isaac’s Riches are not Defined as Glory.

Then the LORD appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you. Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.

Genesis 26:2-3

God promises to bless Isaac because of His oath to bless Abraham. However, God does not use the word glory here.

B. Isaac Reaped Riches in Famine from Abraham’s Blessing

There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar.
Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him.

Genesis 26:1,12

Here is an important truth. Many times sons of pastors and other ministry gifts inherit what their fathers had but do not use it for the glory of God. As a result, they may not inherit the spiritual aspect of their father’s blessing, only the physical wealth. Any father will rejoice in their son’s financial prosperity, but if they do not balance material prosperity with spiritual prosperity (glory), the father is sad.

4. Jacob’s Wealth – Glory of the Third of the Forefathers

Jacob is the last of the forefathers, where wealth defines glory.

A. Jacob’s Glory is Translated Wealth

Jacob’s glory in Hebrew כָּבוֹד ḵâḇôḏ; rarely כָּבֹד kabod; weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendour or copiousness: — glorious(-ly), glory, honour. 

Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has acquired all this wealth.”

Genesis 31:1

We learn an essential truth here. Laban speaks here of the people of this world. To them, glory is wealth. We learnt that God blessed Abraham as the father of faith, and we know from Abramahic Covenant Brings Wealth that God wants to bless us too, but our first desire must be to bring glory to God. Then God will pour in more glory AND wealth.

5. Joseph’s Greater Glory: Dominion AND Wealth

The three forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, had significant personality flaws that caused them to give in to temptation. We don’t see these flaws in Joseph; he is more ‘Christ-like’ than his forefathers. Like Joseph, we will receive dominion and glory as we walk in victory over sin.

A. Joseph is the First Person in the New King James Version where the word glory is used.

So you shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen; and you shall hurry and bring my father down here.”

Genesis 45:13

This is the first time the word glory is used for kabod.

B. Joseph’s glory is that he had all the authority under the king in Egypt, which at that time meant most of the world.

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”

Genesis 41:39-41

C. Joseph’s glory came upon him because he had the Spirit of God in him.

And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?”

Genesis 41:38

D. Joseph’s glory also meant financial wealth given to him by the world, which he could use to restore his family.

And he sent to his father these things: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and food for his father for the journey.

Genesis 45:23

Joseph’s glory is more significant than Jacob’s glory because Jacob’s glory was wealth alone, whereas Joseph’s glory was wealth plus authority.

6. Growing from Glory to Glory

Joseph is an example of someone who grows from glory to glory. His glory as the first-born son of his father is an example of us growing up in the Father’s house. Initially, he had the sin of pride. Genesis shows that He gained victory over sin through much suffering until He was ready to receive dominion and the glory of being second in charge of the most powerful nation in the world at that time.

7. Summary

• Jesus Christ’s glory at His transfiguration and coronation is the benchmark for all other glories.
• We must look at all glory in the Old Testament through the lens of God’s will to glorify His son and daughters.
• The first mention of glory in the Old Testament relates to Abraham’s riches coming from the blessing of God.
• Glory progresses through the forefather; it changes from riches to wealth and starts with Joseph, possessing wealth, authority and responsibility.
• It is the same with us, yes, God wants to bless us financially, but this is not the primary intention to grow from glory to glory. It is for us to grow in authority and dominion.

© Use by Permission. Awakening Impact Ministries/ Dr Neville van Eerten 2022