Greetings,
One thing I am looking at is that "glory" has a definate connection to "honour." This is connected to love. Friends communicate, commune, etc. face to face. This is good. They seek out eachother's face, company, countenance, etc. But, when there is a heirarchy seperation - two, division, rather than "oneness" and equality - there can be problems, and a lack of love. Pride and Respect come into play. Relationship is brought into question. And, when one is higher esteemed, the face shows it, chin-up, head held high. The one who is of lower esteem is the opposite, eyes to the ground, face hidden. People of high esteem are often sought after, whereas people of low esteem are often shunned. Rivalries develop. Enemies are born.
Ex.33:20 the Lord replies, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live."
Job 13:24 "Why do you hide your face and regard me as your enemy?"
Gen.9:21-27 NKJV:
21.Then he drank of the wine and was drunk and became uncovered in his tent.
22.And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside.
23. But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father's nakedness.
24. So Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done to him.
25. Then he said: "Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants He shall be to his brethren"
26. And he said : "Blessed be the Lord, The God of Shem, and may Canaan be his servant.
27. May God enlarge Japheth, and may he dwell in the tents of Shem; and may Canaan be his servant."
Shem and Japheth received the blessing, as did their children, and they all remained together as one family, whereas Ham and his seed (Canaan) were cursed and reduced to servants. (also see Gal.4:1-9.)
I see God hiding his "face" or "glory" from us as a blessing, an act of love. God loves his enemies. He does this as reaching out to us. He doesn't want us to perish, but to live, to become one with Him in Spirit. God also covers us while covering His own eyes (giving us honour, respect). He loved us while we were yet enemies - slaves to the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - our nakedness, our shame.
By the Grace of God, in and through Jesus, the Glory of God is revealed - Love covering the offense and reconcilling enemies.
1Cor.13:12,13 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
More later (I'm still reading the Ray links), thanks Kat and Janice. Love & prayers,
G.