The Concept of God's Glory Illustrated by Liver and Gold

Learn how God's glory is related to the liver and gold.

The Liver, Glory, and Gold

The following is a biological object lesson on the Hebrew words "liver" and "glory." We can connect these two words because of how the Hebrew language functions. For example, when certain words are spelled the same in Hebrew, such as "glory" and "liver," one term can illustrate the other. This lesson will reveal how the biology of the liver adds another dimension to our understanding of the word "glory" from a biological perspective.

Gold will also weigh in on this conversation concerning its heavy and glorious properties.

Agriculture, Biology, and Language

Biblical Hebrew vocabulary is small in word count yet enormous in concept. Moreover, tools built into the language can be very useful in shaping our understanding of a word's meaning.

The method exhibited in this lesson is called agri-bio linguistics, a phrase coined by the late Brad Scott, founder of "Wildbranch Ministries. Brad explains in the above video how the ancients understood the Hebrew language through the concepts of agriculture and biology.

Word associations are continually changing, leading to an incorrect understanding of the context and meaning of the Scriptures. However, agriculture and biology haven't changed much over time, making them highly reliable reference tools for maintaining consistent word meanings.

Anatomy of a liver

The Heaviest Internal Organ

With this in mind, it will be helpful to observe the liver (כבד) and see what it might show us about its sister word, "glory" (כבוד), which contains the same three-letter root.

First, the liver is the heaviest organ in the human body. The weightiness of the liver reveals that glory has to do with being heavy in substance. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul connects weightiness with glory when he compares light, momentary afflictions with the eternal weight of glory.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

— 2 Corinthians 4:17

God's Glory Is Heavy

An Old Testament connection to the weight of God's glory unfolds at the dedication of Solomon's Temple.

... indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying:

"For He is good,
For His mercy endures forever,"

that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.

— 2 Chronicles 5:14

The glory of the Lord that filled the house was so heavy that the priests could not stand.

Angels heralding the birth of Jesus, the Savior, to the shepherds watching their flocks by night. (Luke 2:8-14) by James Tissot

A New Testament Example

Jesus's birth was heralded by angels who appeared to some shepherds watching their flock by night. Connections with glory and its weight are present in the following scene.

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them ... ... And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

— Luke 2:9,13,14

After this angelic visit, the shepherds went to the newborn Christ child and began telling everyone what the angels had said about Him. The following was Mary's response.

... But Mary kept all these things and pondered (weighed) them in her heart.
— Luke 2:19

C.H. Spurgeon links the glory of the Christ child with the weight of the meaning of His coming.

"The word 'ponder' means to weigh. Make ready the balances of judgment. Oh, but where are the scales that can weigh the Lord Christ? ... Weigh the riches of Christ in scales and his treasure in balances"
— C.H. Spurgeon

The Value of a Liver

Back to the liver and its connection with God's glory: In terms of size, the liver is the largest of all internal organs, exemplifying the greatness of God's glory.

Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord:
For great is the glory of the Lord.

— Psalm 138:5

The liver is valuable to all other body functions. For example, it regulates sugar, protein, and fat and filters out toxins. In addition, it manages, distributes, and stores nutrients, among other essential tasks.

Let them praise the name of the Lord:
For his name alone is excellent;
His glory is above the earth and heaven.

— Psalm 148:13

Glorifying God is knowing that He is vital and significantly relevant to our existence and to our functions in this life and the one to come. Therefore, considering God necessary means we give Him our attention as we would something precious and live as if He matters significantly.

Give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name ...

— Psalm 29:1

A 400-oz gold bar weighs 27.4 pounds

Glory and Gold

The liver's exceptional value and weight also connect us with the concepts related to glory and gold. Gold, in Scripture, is a symbol of gloriousness. One of gold's most important characteristics, in relation to glory and the liver, is its weight; hence, the phrase "worth its weight in gold." Gold in Scripture symbolizes a tried-and-tested faith in God's goodness. Faith finds its expression in a life that glorifies Him.

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

— 1 Peter 2:11-12

How we live gives glory, weight, and substance to how the world sees God.

We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves ... may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ... Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God ... that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy ...
— Romans 15:1-9

Gold Refined in the Fire

Jesus also equates precious, refined gold with a life heavily weighted with worship and obedience to Him, as expressed in terms of hearing.

"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."’
— Revelation 3:15-21

The things the Laodiceans appeared to esteem and weigh the most to them were their wealth and self-sufficiency rather than faith in Him. They seemed to have no idea that these materials and interests had no weight or value in God's Kingdom.

Jesus counsels them to purchase something more substantial, valuable, worthy, and weighty - gold refined in the fire.

"Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters;
And you who have no money,
Come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without price.
Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live;
And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—
The sure mercies of David.

— Isaiah 55:1-3

Buy and Balance With Your Ear

How does one purchase gold refined in the fire, as was described in Revelation chapter three in the above section? Revelation and Isaiah inform us that we buy gold refined in the fire with our ears. "If anyone hears my voice," "Listen to me," "Incline your Ear," "Hear."

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

— Romans 10:17

In the Garden of Eden, Eve purchased a lie with her ears as she inclined them to the crafty serpent. The proposition of the snake weighed more in the balance of her estimation than God's command. Nevertheless, the scales were tipped heavily in favor of her desire.

A transaction occurred. Eve traded her faith in the truth, which afforded eternal life, for a lie by lending her ear to the serpent's offerings, and she received a lie's just and hefty wages of death.

... the wages of sin is death ...
— Romans 6:23

This scene relates to Jesus's warning in the parable of the sower about how we hear. He explains that when we listen with self-serving intentions, we lose.

Therefore, take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”
— Luke 8:18

If our ears are weighted with the lies of self-serving interests such as "cares, riches, and pleasures of life," as noted in the parable, what we think we are buying will be taken. A properly balanced life can only be obtained by weighing our thoughts, desires, and decisions with the importance of hearing and obeying God.

... those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
— Luke 8:15

James warns us.

"Do not deceive yourself by being a hearer of the word only"

— James 1:22

Dishonest Scales

The root word for scales and balances in Hebrew is "ozen אזן," which also means ear.

From a physiological standpoint, the ears are not only listening devices but also the control centers of our equilibrium. When the fluids in our ears become unbalanced, we can become unstable and unable to stand upright.

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stand upright.

— Psalm 20:7-8

Vertigo can occur when additional fluid enters one chamber of the inner ear, ruptures, and leaks into another chamber. When deception occurs, it results from other material added, mixed, and weighted against the truth. Deception creates an imbalanced perspective, resulting in self-centered decisions and a life that can quickly spiral out of control. This topic is also relevant to God's command in the Bible not to use false scales and measures.

Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,
But a just weight is His delight.

— Proverbs 11:1

Using false scales in terms of deception involves making something appear weightier than it is for personal gain or profit, and that can apply to much more than the measurement of physical objects.

Notably, we have two ears, indicating they are tools of discernment.

Does not the ear test words
— Job 12:11

Day two of creation was the day that God divided light and darkness. This division symbolizes for us the discerning and distinguishing between the two. He designed us to separate, discern, and refine what we hear by giving the truth the proper weight and value, so we can live a balanced life. This type of refinement is precisely what the liver does with the food and liquid we digest.

"How long will you falter between two opinions?
If the Lord is God, follow Him;

— I Kings 18:20

Gold and Faith

Gold and faith are both refined and purified by fire.

In this, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen, you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls ... Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part, He is blasphemed, but on your part, He is glorified.
— 1 Peter 1:6-9, 4:12

When our faith is in God's greatness and weightiness, when what He says matters to us despite circumstance and trial, when life wants to see what we are made of, and when our faith is in Him, our lives will be one of substance and value. People have lived and died for gold. Trust in God and eternal life with Him are worth more than gold.

... When He has tested me,
I shall come forth as gold.

— Job 23:10

Gold Mining

One gold mining method is scooping river material and swishing the contents in a pan. The swishing allows the lighter material to come to the surface, where it can be discarded. The heavier material (gold) settles to the bottom. A gold miner would continue this process until most of what remains are gold nuggets. There are times when the Lord sifts us in this way. He is looking for gold.

See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

— Heb 12:25

After all the sifting of this life, will He find faith in us when He comes back?

... when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
— Luke 18:8

Gold that has been hammered so thin that it forms thin sheets

The Malleability of Gold

Another characteristic of gold is that, although it is one of the heaviest metals, it is also the most pliable and versatile. Gold is so soft that it can be scratched with a fingernail.

You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet: HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

— Exodus 28:36

As our faith comes forth as pure gold through test and trial, He will inscribe His holiness on our lives. So may we be as pliable and malleable as gold in our faith as we trust him in everything.

... Today, if you will hear His voice,
"Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, as in the day of trial in the wilderness ...

— Psalm 95:7

Indestructible Gold

Even though gold is very malleable, it is also virtually indestructible. Gold has extreme chemical resistance, is unaffected by acids or alkalis, and does not rust like iron when exposed to water or oxygen. When faith in the Father's love through Jesus, our Messiah, is established through test and trial, nothing can destroy it. Nothing can get to it. Faith is an eternal element and not subject to the conditions of the finite world.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
— Matthew 6:19

The Pictograph Meaning

Another tremendous built-in language concept in Biblical Hebrew is the word's pictographic meaning. Each letter of the word is represented by an image that helps define it. Again, these images help to maintain the concept.

The Hebrew word picture for glory is "kavod כבוד," which begins with the Hebrew letter "caph כ." "Caph כ" is a picture of an open hand or a wing and can symbolize something that covers. So, this pictograph tells us that God's glory is something that covers us.

Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.

— Exodus 40:34

The following letter is a "bet ב" and a picture of a house and family. It represents being on the inside. This letter tells us that glory is experienced in a close relationship and covenant with God through His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ.

Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house,
And the place where Your glory dwells.

— Psalm 26:8

The following letter is a "vav ו," represented by an image of a nail and symbolizing connection. Jesus was nailed to a cross, which connected man of the earth with God in heaven. Glory is a result of being connected with the God of heaven.

To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
— Ephesians 3:21

Last but not least is the letter "dalet." This letter is a picture of a door. It can indicate a way or a path to something. We know that Jesus is the door, and thereby the final expression and the only way to experience this glory.

Lift up your heads, O you gates!
And be lifted up you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.

— Psalm 24:7

Jesus, the door, invites us to enter salvation through Him.

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

— John 10:7-9

He also requests to live inside of us.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

— Revelation 3:20-21

This knocking on the door of the heart statement above occurs directly after His counsel to buy gold refined in the fire. Gold represents overcoming through faith and confidence in God, not our riches, intelligence, and resources.

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
— 2 Corinthians 4:6

Putting it all together, we could say that the glory of God is both a covering on the outside and a fulfillment on the inside. Both connect us to Jesus, the door, the only way to experience both.

For the earth will be filled
With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,
As the waters cover the sea.

— Habakkuk 2:14

The Substance and Value We Crave

Glory is the weightiness and heaviness of God. He is intrinsically valuable and essential to all functions of a meaningful life. His glory in us is manifested through our faith in Him. And it is substantiated through testing and trial. It gives our lives the substance and value that we all crave.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever. Amen.

— Jude 24,25

May this revelation bear weight on how we live.

"His name is on us, and His honor is in our keeping. Wherefore, let every one that nameth the name of the Lord" - claimeth it as his own name - "depart from unrighteousness;" and let him never feel that is is a light or a vain thing to bear that name before the world."
— H. Clay Trumble from his book "The Ten Commandments as a Covenant of Love"

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Agri-Bio-Linguistics