“Furthermore, we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called in accordance with his purpose; because those whom he knew in advance, he also determined in advance would be conformed to the pattern of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers; and those whom he thus determined in advance, he also called; and those whom he called, he also caused to be considered righteous; and those whom he caused to be considered righteous he also glorified!” (Romans 8:28-30, Complete Jewish Bible)
What does it mean to be glorified? There are many interpretations about what it means. Most often being glorified is defined as continually working towards conforming to the image of God’s Son, Jesus, and being fully “glorified” in heaven. Glorify is defined as giving praise and honor to a person or deity.
I believe being glorified is a miracle God performs in a person’s life that brings glory to God. Being glorified cannot come about by human intention or effort; it is a miracle from God.
The most definitive and significant instance of being glorified was Jesus. After instructing his disciples, Jesus prayed, “…“Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, so that the Son may glorify you –” “I glorified you on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, glorify me alongside yourself. Give me the same glory I had with you before the world existed.”” (John 17:1, 4-5, Complete Jewish Bible) Jesus did not raise himself from the dead, rather the Spirit through God the Father raised Jesus in order to bring glory to God.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was also glorified. The angel explained, “…The Ruach HaKodesh [Holy Spirit] will come over you, the power of Ha’Elyon [the Most High] will cover you. Therefore the holy child born to you will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35, Complete Jewish Bible) Mary understood being glorified in order to bring glory to God. “…My soul magnifies Adonai; and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior, who has taken notice of his servant-girl in her humble position. For – imagine it! – from now on, all generations will call me blessed! “The Mighty One has done great things for me! Indeed, his name is holy;”” (Luke 1:46-49, Complete Jewish Bible)
Philip, one of the seven chosen in Acts 6, was instructed to share the Good News with a eunuch traveling back to Ethiopia from Jerusalem. Following their interaction, “the Lord snatched Philip away.” (Acts 8:26-40)
Saul, later renamed Paul, while on his way to Damascus to arrest people who were following Christ, heard the voice of Yeshua from heaven. (Acts 9:1-22)
The Old Testament is replete with examples of God being glorified through miracles in the lives of his servants. Their stories are fascinating.
Abraham miraculously fathered Isaac in his old age. (Genesis 17, 21:1-8)
Joseph, after being sold by his brothers, was made a ruler in Egypt. (Genesis 37:23-28, 41)
Daniel served Darius the Mede, and when other chiefs and viceroys became jealous, they tricked Darius into sending Daniel to the lion’s den. Daniel was not harmed because God closed the mouths of the lions. (Daniel 6)
Moses held out his staff and God parted the Red sea so the Israelites could cross on dry ground. When the Egyptians tried to cross, they drowned in the sea. (Exodus 14)
Joshua and the Israelites simply marched around Jericho and the walls “fell down flat.” (Joshua 6)
Gideon defeated the Midianites with 300 men. After shouting, the men “stood still in place,” and God brought victory. (Judges 6-8)
Jephthah, the son of a prostitute, led the Israelites in their fight against the Ammonites, and God brought victory through him. (Judges 11-12)
To Samson, a judge in Israel, God gave supernatural strength. He died during a spectacular show of strength that also killed many Philistines. (Judges 13-16)
Jesus, Mary, Philip, Paul and the men of old are only a small representation of the wonders God performed through his servants. God continues to work miracles in the lives of his chosen ones in order to bring glory to himself.