The Sanctuary Stained Glass Windows

The North Biblical Windows: The Old Testament



The Creation

The far left North window illustrates the creation of the heavens and the earth. In the lower portion of the window there is the "void" and God says, "Let there be light." God calls the sky Heaven. On the fifth and sixth days God created the birds and creatures of all kinds. An image of Adam and Eve being tempted by Satan, represented by the snake in the tree above their heads, makes up the major portion of the window. One is reminded of the human disobedience that marred and continues to corrupt God's good creation.


The Flood

The second window in this series represents the story of Noah and the Ark. Noah is seen standing over the image of the Ark and a representation of the "...every living creature upon the earth..." Behind Noah we see the image of Mt. Ararat upon which the Ark rested after the recession of the waters. Noah sent forth a dove and the dove came back to him with a freshly plucked olive branch. The vested branch across the background of the design has traditionally been a sign of "peace." The rainbow is the sign of God's promise to never again destroy the earth.


Moses and the Ten Commandments

The Book of Exodus describes the plagues set upon the Pharaoh of Egypt who refused to set God's people free. After the Passover, Moses led the Israelites through the parted Red Sea into the Promised Land. The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh and he pursued the children of Israel. In desperation, the children of Israel cried out to the Lord and to Moses. The window depicts Moses stretching out his hand over the sea, and the Lord causing the sea to part open. The children of Israel walked through the midst of the sea upon the dry ground. The lower right corner of this middle window illustrates this event.

The Book of Exodus (Chapter 19) continues to tell the events of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments from God. Moses is illustrated with a weathered and forlorn expression. His hand is shielding his eyes, giving the impression of his drive to search and be diligent to God's instructions. God appears to Moses as a burning bush and this is illustrated in the lower left of the window. Moses received the tablets from God and returned to his people who anxiously await him at the foot of Mt. Sinai. As soon as Moses comes close to the camp, he sees the "Golden Calf" and the dancing; Moses' anger grows hot, and he hurls down the tablets, breaking them at the foot of the mountain.


Ruth

The fourth window from the left in the North series depicts the story of Ruth. The illustration in the window is of Ruth working the fields owned by Boaz. There is a cross and interlocking rings in the lower portion of the window. The cross reminds us that Jesus is of the lineage of Ruth. Ruth married Boaz, and their son, Obed, was the grandfather of King David, from whom the Messiah descended. The interlocking rings of marriage also shows that God's favor is not restricted to the Israelites, but extends to the Gentiles also, for Ruth is a Gentile woman from Moab.



David

In first Samuel 16, God selects David to lead the covenant people of Israel. The power of God's Spirit is witnessed through David's harp. "And it was true that when the evil spirit came upon Saul, David took a harp and played upon the strings, and Saul was refreshed and felt well again." The Star of David is the symbol of Israel. The Ark of the Covenant reminds us that the period of the monarchy was the continuation of the covenant between God and the children of Israel.



Jonah and the Whale

The last window in the North series tells the story of Jonah. Although its date of composition is unknown, Jonah is one of the final books to be canonized as Holy Scripture in the Hebrew Bible. Beneath the surface of the story, the book of Jonah tells of God's mercy and forgiveness extended to all people.