God's Glory / Womans hair is her glory what does this mean?

Chapter 5

GLORY

Yahweh = God / Yahshua = Jesus

When examining this matter of headcoverings, one can approach its truth from two basic aspects. First, as we have sought thus far, one can consider the matter of headship: Yahweh / God is the head of Yahshua / Jesus, Yahshua  is the head of the man, the man is the head of the woman. From this headship we see that, governmentally, the woman is to have "authority on her head," or the right to speak to her head's Head, and thus needs to wear the cloth headcovering when praying or prophesying.

There is a second important aspect whereby we can, and should, consider regarding this matter of coverings. This is relative to Yahweh's will concerning His glory which He assigns to His created. We want to look now at this significant truth, and after laying some important groundwork, relate it to Paul's statement that "it is a glory" to the woman to have long hair. If we want to know what Yahweh would have the woman to do with this glory that is given to her, we must consider what His will is concerning our response to His glory. Once we understand this, we can even further understand why Paul said for the woman to either cover her head or cut off her hair.

But first, let us look at Yahweh's plan in general for His glory – for all glory comes from Him – and then consider glory as it relates to coverings. It must be said here though that our first step in this consideration has to be a negative one. We first need to see the consequences of failing to give Him the glory.

Isaiah 4:5 gives a very descriptive and important statement as to Yahweh's plan concerning His glory: "For over all the glory will be a covering." All glory comes from Yahweh, and is to be given to Him. In Isaiah 42:8 and 48:11, He plainly, firmly, and significantly states: "I will not give My glory to another." Because we are His creation, that glory may rest upon us or be assigned to us; but ultimately, it is to be returned to Him. In fact, we see that when it is not willingly returned to Him, but rather claimed as a product or fashion of the created rather than the Creator, the consequences are death and judgment. Consider these examples:

• When King Herod stood before the people, they cried, "'The voice of a god and not of a man!' And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died" (Acts 12:20-23).

• In the seven plagues of Revelation, "the fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun; and it was given to it to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues; and they did not repent, so as to give Him glory" (Revelation 16:8-9).

• Two examples unfold quickly in Daniel. First, in chapter 4 King Nebuchadnezzar is found proudly declaring after Daniel's warnings, "'Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?' While the word was in the king's mouth, a voice came from heaven saying, 'King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you, and you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whomever He wishes'" (Daniel 4:30-32).

• Second, one would think an observant and discerning son of the king would learn from this terrible and surely disturbing condition of his father, King Nebuchadnezzar. But in chapter 5 of Daniel, King Belshazzar is given the writing on the wall. He calls in Daniel, who reminds him – your father's "heart was lifted up and his spirit became so proud that he behaved arrogantly, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken away from him. ... Yet you, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this, but you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. ... But the God in whose hand are your life-breath and your ways, you have not glorified. ... That night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was slain."

Yahweh will not give His glory to another. King or pauper, we are the created and are wholly a product of His design. He plainly states in Isaiah that "over all the glory will be a covering." Considering these two truths, we are herewith disposed to raise the question: Since coverings are assigned in the four examples we studied in Chapter 3, do we find a glory that is being covered? The answer to this important question is clearly – yes! Let us examine all four pairs and see what the Scriptures reveal concerning the presence of Yahweh's glory.

THE GLORIOUS FIRST COVERING

We will begin with our first example – the earth. Recall there are two coverings over the earth. The first covering is the waters of the sea and the clouds. These combined were then covered by the second covering, the firmament, which was removed and replaced by the substitutionary covering of the ozone layer. One might think that the object being covered would possess the glory, but what we find to be the case in every example is that the first covering is endued with glory. And this glory, according to Scriptural patterns and the statement found in Isaiah 4:5, requires that "over all the glory will be a covering." Thus, the glory-assigned first covering is covered by the second covering.

The first water covering over the earth possessed His glory. Psalm 148:13 declares: "His glory is above [or, over] earth and heaven." The glory over earth is clear. This glory is in the water of the seas over the earth. But what is this glory above heaven? We find from the Scriptures that the atmosphere is the first of three heavens. This is where the birds fly (Genesis 1:20, et al), where heaven is often translated "sky," where the air we breath exists (Matthew 6:26, etc.), and where the clouds form (Psalms 147:8, 57:10-11, etc.). The second heaven is the vast universe of stars and constellations (Genesis 15:5, 22:17, etc.). And the third heaven is where Yahweh abides. "His glory," spoken of in Psalm 148:13, "is above [or, over] earth and [the first associated] heaven." Thus, this glory associated with the earth is seen in the first covering over the earth – the waters over the earth and the clouds above. This identification of the sea and clouds as glory is affirmed in that Yahweh's glory often appeared as a cloud (2 Chronicles 5:13-14). Over this glorious covering, above the waters and the clouds, is thus the second substitutionary covering of the ozone layer – "over all the glory will be a covering."

Let us go to the second example. Our soul and spirit is covered by the first covering – our body. And the second covering – the original splendor and light of Yahweh – was replaced by the substitutionary covering of clothing. Again, we will see a glory assigned to this magnificent creation of Yahweh, the intricate human body, the first covering.

This magnificence, however, is severely tarnished since the fall. Though it possesses a remnant of glory, it does not compare to the glory to be given through its replacement with a glorified incorruptible body born from above. In 1 Corinthians 15:40 and 43, we read: "There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another. ... it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power." This waning glory we possess in our body, like the diminishing glory from Moses's face, still, however, must be covered. The glory of man must, of necessity, be covered by the second substitutionary covering – clothing.

We now proceed to the third example of the subject four. The first covering over the ark of the covenant – the mercy seat – equally possessed Yahweh's glory. Hebrews 9:5 states: "And above it [the ark of the covenant] were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat." And of course, then the incense served as the second covering over the glorious mercy seat.

Now for the fourth example – the tabernacle. But may we say first, it is most significant that upon examining the Scriptures, in all four of these examples, without exception, a glory is assigned to each of the first coverings! One might think that it would not be so consistent, except for the fact that Yahweh does have a truth, or pattern, here that has an important message for our benefit and instruction today.

In keeping with the previous three examples, we should equally find that the first covering over the tabernacle – the tent – possessed Yahweh’s glory. This, of course, would then require the second covering, the cloud by day and the fire by night. What then do we find? Exactly as we would suspect: "And I [Yahweh] will meet there [at the doorway of the tent of meeting] with the sons of Israel, and it shall be consecrated by My glory. And I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar" (Exodus 29:43-44). The tent, the first covering, was consecrated with Yahweh's glory, necessitating the second covering of the cloud and fire.

So now we have it. With amazing consistency the first covering possesses a glory that demands to be covered by the second covering. Why is this so? Possibly because Yahweh watches over His glory and will not share it with anyone. Whatever the reason, we see a consistent pattern – the primary object is covered by the first covering which possesses glory, and the glorious first covering is covered by a second covering which, when removed, produces judgment and is replaced by an interim substitutionary covering.

Before we move on with this study of glory, let us briefly add two additional examples where Yahweh's glory temporarily rested upon an object, likewise eliciting a covering. The first one is in Exodus 24:16-17: "And the glory of Yahweh rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days ...." Yahweh's glory on Mount Sinai required a covering – a cloud. Then ten chapters later we find Moses returning from his final visit with Him on the mountain: "And it came about when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai ..., that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him" (Exodus 34:29). Because of this "glory of his face," as Paul called it in 2 Corinthians 3:7, Moses covered the glory when he stood before the people (Exodus 34:33-35). We encounter here then two further examples of glory being covered.

THE GLORY OF HAIR

There exists a lot of confusion, misapplication, and widespread lack of understanding over this next significant testimony. The reason for this is that if one examines a solitary scripture apart from the rest of Scripture, it becomes a matter of one's own interpretation, which, of course, is forbidden by the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:20).

To understand the next scripture, it is best accomplished by a comparison with other relevant texts on the same matter. And this is exactly what we have accomplished by our study up to this point in this section on glory. We have laid the groundwork so as to establish a basis for understanding exactly what is being proposed when the subject of glory is addressed. One cannot understand the issue of the glorious woman's hair without understanding Yahweh's laws and patterns for covering His glory. And the entire argument of the need for the woman to wear a headcovering could rest solely on this unfolding truth. Therefore, you will want to read this carefully. Now for the scripture in question.

In 1 Corinthians 11:14-15 we read: "Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is dishonor to him, but if a woman has long hair, it is glory to her?" It is most important to remember that when we speak of hair, we are speaking of a legal covering. It is both a head-covering for the man, as well as for the woman. Thus we see once again that hair is the glorious first covering that demands a second covering.

For the man, verse three of 1 Corinthians 11 tells us that Yahshua is the head, or covering, of the man, while the man is the head, or covering, of the woman. Verse seven also tells us that in this headship line the man is the glory of God, and his glory is covered by Yahshua; while the woman, who was created out of the man, is the glory of the man, and her glory is covered by the man. Then finally, in verse 15 we read that the glory of the woman is her long hair, thereby equally demanding a covering.

Now let us put together what we have learned. Yahweh has assigned a glory to the woman's long hair. We have learned that glory always rests in the first covering, and this is once again exactly the case with regard to the woman's long hair. And, as we have learned, this glorious first covering demands the presence of a second covering. Therefore, when the woman goes before or speaks on behalf of Yahweh, she must have the second substitutionary covering on her head, covering her glory. This is a soundly established, clear, and concise truth deserving our acknowledgment and application. The cloth headcovering is the substitutionary second covering that covers the glory of her first covering – her hair.

Let us present this more clearly and directly. We find here a very important pattern that should cause every uncovered woman to seriously consider her uncovered state. We know that:

The glory of the Father is Yahshua (John 17:24, James 2:1), and the Father covers Him.
Likewise, the glory of Yahshua is the man, and Yahshua covers him.
Then the glory of the man is the woman, and the man covers her.
Finally, the glory of the woman is her long hair, and yes, the woman too should clearly cover her hair, her glory, consistent with the entire headship line.

Please read this next statement carefully. What could be more relevant to this truth than when Paul wrote: "For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off" (vs. 6). If a woman is not going to provide the vital second covering, then as instructed, she should remove the first covering bearing the glory. Thereby, when her first glorious covering (her hair) is absent, there is nothing testifying of the need for the second covering. "But," Paul adds, "if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved [and it is], let her cover her head."

Women, the glory of Yahweh is clearly in your hair; therefore, cover it when you go before Him, even as a priest was required to cover his anointed head. Your husband cannot cover his hair since Yahshua is his head, his covering. If you are not going to cover your hair, then obediently shave your head to remove the testimony of the need for the second covering (which, of course, you cannot do). I hope you understand this very important truth. (More on this subject of glory in Chapter 8.)

We next want to look at the extent to which the woman's head is to be covered. What does a truly Biblical headcovering look like? What is its purpose, or what is it to accomplish? Is a little doily sufficient? To what extend should the woman's headcovering cover her glorious hair? Before we address these practical questions, let us pause for an instructive poem.

LET GLORY BE COVERED Come now ye created, consent unto me, And I'll tell you of glory that be not assigned by thee. For glory is given by God from above. Tis not ours to be altered by passion or shove. In work of day six God fashioned the man, His image and glory Paul tells was His plan. Then came the woman, from the created she be; Not in image of God, but glory of created was she. The glory we find on this one so fair, Is not in her headship but in her long hair. All glory is to be covered, we read in God's Word, The man's under Yahshua, the woman's under cloth, not observed. And the glory that God has given to the man Should nary be subverted, but in keeping with His plan. For careful should be the woman chaste and discreet, To not fashion herself for man's glory compete. Cosmetics, for one, attractive their purpose to be, Should wholly be rejected, for its the man God intended to see. The woman, I fear, from beginning has sought lead; So conscious women should be, to let husband precede. Precede in appearance. The glory of God – let him stand. And let the woman cover her glory; taking cloth and not cosmetics in hand.