Meet the Scholar: Rebecca Idestrom

In this episode of the Tyndale House Podcast, host Tony Watkins interviews Dr. Rebecca Eiderstrom, Professor of Old Testament at Tyndale University and a longtime visitor to Tyndale House in Cambridge. The conversation centers on her book, *Show Me Your Glory: The Glory of God in the Old Testament*, which took 15 years to complete and was awarded the 2025 Book of Excellence Award by the Foundation for Pentecostal Scholarship. Eiderstrom shares how her journey into biblical scholarship began with a transformative year studying at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, leading her to explore the multifaceted nature of God’s glory beyond mere theophanic displays. She reveals that God’s glory is not only revealed in majestic visions like those in Exodus and Ezekiel but also in His mercy, provision, holiness, and the fullness of creation. Her research uncovers how the glory of God is intricately tied to redemption, judgment, mission, and eschatological hope, culminating in the vision of a restored New Jerusalem where 'The Lord Is There.' She also challenges the common church term 'Shekinah glory,' explaining it as a later rabbinic concept not found in Scripture, and argues that God’s presence likely returned to the post-exilic temple, even without a descriptive account. The episode closes with a preview of an upcoming series on women in the Bible. Key takeaways include: God’s glory is not just a spectacular display but a revelation of His character—mercy, compassion, and faithfulness; the glory of God is revealed in creation, provision, and mission; Ezekiel’s visions show God’s glory as mobile and not confined to the temple; the post-exilic temple likely experienced God’s presence, even if not described dramatically; and the concept of 'Shekinah' is a later theological construct, not biblical. Eiderstrom’s work invites listeners to see the Old Testament as a rich tapestry of divine glory that points forward to Christ and the ultimate restoration of all things.