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What Does Hôd Mean For Netanyahu & The King’s Tide?

What Does Hôd Mean For Netanyahu & The King’s Tide?

Last updated on: October 29, 2026 at 11:42 pm by Martin Thomas Johnson

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What Does Hôd Mean For Netanyahu & The King’s Tide? 2026-10-29T23:42:11-04:00 Martin Thomas Johnson

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The big news this week has been the Israeli elections and who will control Israel. In a shocking upset, no clear winner has been declared yet, and the balance of power may be tipping.

Despite emerging with the largest bloc, Prime Minister Netanyahu failed to achieve the required majority to form a new government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made claims of fraud and interference. Benjamin Netanyahu is assessed by earthly power and possessions. A true Zionist knows that only God gets all the glory due to His divine nature (Psalm 115:1, Isaiah 48:11):

Power
Goodness
Beauty
Compassionate

To no one’s surprise, when the Prime Minister was leading in the votes, Pres. Trump boasted he was the reason Benjamin Netanyahu wasn’t destroyed in the election, before all of the votes had been counted.

Image by Wikimedia Commons

Both Benjamin Netanyahu and Pres. Trump want to live like kings with unchecked power. Neither has learned that pride comes before the fall (Proverbs 16:18). They have forgotten that we serve a jealous God who humbles the proud (Deuteronomy 4:24, Isaiah 2:11-12).

As God’s people, we must never forget God’s authority, power, or His glory (1 Chronicles 29:11-13, Psalm 103:19-22, Hebrews 12:28-29).

What Is Glory

Glory is something God’s people like to talk about a lot, but many have failed to understand what it is and how it relates to God. Glory is defined as, “Praise, honor, or distinction extended by common consent: renown.”

Image created by Martin Thomas Johnson using Canva

Glory is given to those are what is exalted over all or whoever has the ultimate power. As the people of God, we understand only He reigns over all of creation and deserves all the glory due Him.

Weirdly, many people commit to “Give God the glory” if or when He blesses them with what they want. They have failed to realize the glory of God isn’t dependent upon their happiness or security, but upon God’s divine nature and authority.

That is why the Bible has a lot to say about God’s glory (Isaiah 60:1, Matthew 24:30, Romans 1:20, Hebrews 1:3). Mankind’s sinful nature seeks attention and selfish desires (Galatians 5:19-21, James 3:14-16, 1 John 2:16).

God’s people are commanded to put other people first, not ourselves or even our nation (Romans 12:10, 1 Corinthians 10:24, Philippians 2:3-4). That is why God’s people must die to our sinful flesh to bring honor and glory to God through our lives and actions (Romans 6:6-13, Galatians 5: 24-5).

We do not honor or glorify God by our words, but by our actions and how we live (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 10:31, Colossians 3:17, 1 Peter 2:12; 4:10-11). The apostles remembered their Jewish education about glory, who it is and where it comes from.

Hôd

The Torah tells us God created the earth in the beginning, and His Spirit and glory were there (Genesis 1:1-3; 2:1-4). God’s creation glorified its Maker without ever speaking a word (Psalm 19:1-4; 104:24-31; Isaiah 43:20-21).

The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for glory is hôd and it can also mean, “Splendor, majesty, or honor,” depending upon the context it is used in. After the fall, the creation became cursed and tainted by the sins of humanity (Genesis 3: 17-19; 5: 29, Isaiah 24:4-6).

God’s people must focus on God’s glory and glorify Him (Deuteronomy 28:10, Psalm 29:1-2, Isaiah 43:7). That Is Why Judaism teaches God’s People to reflect and focus on God’s Glory:

Kavod
The Shikirah
Goodness and moral attributes
Reflection through creation

Jesus not only lived to bring glory to God, but He also taught His followers to do it as well (Matthew 5:16, John 7:16-18; 15:8; 17:4). He taught His followers to die to their selfish ways and to seek God’s will (Matthew 16:24-25, Mark 8:34-35, Luke 9:23-24).

Image by Wikimedia Commons

Our Lord emphasized storing up treasures in heaven instead of here on earth (Matthew 6: 19-21, Luke 12:32-34). He focused on God’s will, not earthly greatness (Matthew 4:8-10, Luke 22:42, John 4:34; 6:38).

Our Rabbi taught His followers to see God’s glory and provision in nature (Matthew 5:44-45; 6:25-30). Especially in the last days (Matthew 24:32-35, Luke 21:25-31).

The King Tides

In other big news this week, both coastlines of America have been flooded by a natural phenomenon called King tides.

The amazing thing about these killer tides is that they are a direct result of the heavenly alignment and positioning of the sun, moon, and earth, which in turn increases the gravitational pull on the earth, which affects the height of the ocean tides.

Image taken by Martin Thomas Johnson

Through this ordeal, God is glorified as the universe and His creations on the earth work together to display His authority and power (Job 38:4-13, Colossians 1:16-17). Despite what many conspiracy theorists believe, God alone controls the weather and nature (Psalm 135:6-7, Jeremiah 14:22).

This week I was able to witness it myself during my walks at night, and seeing the mighty big full moon, there is no doubt that it affects things here on earth:

Winds
Storms
Oceans

Image by NASA

If there is any question about God’s divine kingship over creation in the universe, think about how He alone can align the earth, moon, and sun to create such a spectacle as a King Tide. I have always been a space geek and have marveled at the stars and space.

I was amazed by the photos taken on the Artemis to the Moon mission of the view of Earth from the other side of the Moon. God’s authority is over the earth, moon, and everything in between and beyond. Each is proof of His existence and power. That is why he alone is due all hôd!

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