Who Will See God?
May the LORD cause His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. Numbers 6:25 NASB
To shine upon you – Can a man see God and live? Not according to Scripture. “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live” (Exodus 33:20). The rabbis took this condition seriously, so seriously that they created an entire interpretive allegorical process to deal with verses that seemed to suggest men actually did view God (like Exodus 24:9-10). The peshat meaning of this passage and others like it was changed so that the verse did not teach that men actually saw the Shekhinah. Even metaphorical passages like this one in Numbers were altered so that there was no possibility that the Hebrew word eleka really meant someone could see God. For the rabbinic school of Ishmael, God’s glory was so unimaginably other than human that any suggestion connecting it with human perception was diminishing to God Himself.
We probably find these interpretive gymnastics a bit odd if not downright wrong. We are quite comfortable with a God who shows Himself to men. We think nothing of the idea that men actually perceive God’s presence. In fact, we even ask God to reveal Himself to us. We invite Him into our worship and think nothing of it. While some schools of rabbinic Judaism recognize God’s majesty with fear and trembling, most Christians treat God as if He were a close friend living across the street. Judaism begins with awe. Christianity begins with love. They are not the same.
With this difference in mind, the claims of Yeshua become even more radical from a Jewish perspective. First, Yeshua had the audacity to suggest that those who saw him saw the Father. That alone was tantamount to blasphemy since it diminished the holiness of God by comparing it to a living human being. Second, the claim that Yeshua was God went beyond the pale as far as Jews were concerned. It might have been acceptable to claim that Yeshua was the Messiah. Many before and many after made the same claim. But to imagine Yeshua was God? No, such things were simply not considered. Christians might do well to reflect on the offense this creates for Jews. Perhaps one of the reasons Jews reject “Jesus” is because those who proclaim “Jesus” do not emphasize his Messianic role in a Jewish context. Instead, they quickly move to His claims of divinity, effectively curtailing any further conversation by insulting the majesty of YHWH. Christians tend to be quite cavalier about God’s holiness, something unthinkable from a Jewish point of view.
Finally, recognizing that Judaism itself is divided over Man’s ability to actually see God (the school of Akiva did not agree with the school of Ishmael) helps us realize that the problem of transcendence and immanence is not exclusively a problem in Christian theology. Religious thinkers in Judaism have also struggled with a God who is both Creator and Father. There is common ground here that is rarely used to overcome the divide between Christians and Jews. While Christian theological thinking adopted a Greek metaphysics for explaining God’s attributes, Judaism offered allegory as a way of dealing with the problem. Christians moved away from allegory toward Greek constructions like perfection, immutability and impassibility. Judaism sought to uphold God’s transcendence through metaphor and creative interpretation. But both views attempted to describe a God who is really beyond human conception.
Then we come to Yeshua. He is not Greek. His teaching and His life cut right through many of the Christian theological constructions. And He is Jewish; something most Christians have a hard time allowing. But Yeshua is also not rabbinic. He makes claims that the school of Ishmael could never allow. He brings an intimacy about God that must have been offensive. He just doesn’t fit in either religious camp.
Perhaps that’s why we love Him.
Topical Index: see God, eleka, Number 6:25, Exodus 33:20
“We think nothing of the idea that men actually perceive God’s presence. In fact, we even ask God to reveal Himself to us”
Hi Skip,
Maybe I tend to think about the things above a bit differently
God is “no thing” (nothingness) so we cannot see him directly
But it seems we can see signs or hear sounds of his presence
And for me to ask God to reveal himself would not seem right
Michael, I love your reply.
Reference Romans 1:20-21, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are (or, that they may be) without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”
Although I think the comment, “We think nothing of the idea that men actually perceive God’s presence. In fact, we even ask God to reveal Himself to us.” would more generally refer to a person seeking a greater ‘personal encounter’ with God, rather than just an observance of His manifest presence.
Of course, there are still many who are stuck in the signs and wonders mode rather than in a relationship mode, while there are others who are trying desperately to figure God out – to the point of explaining Him away. Then, we have the group who seek after the signs and wonders so they can explain (understand) God in terms of His manifestations. /sigh/
“Michael, I love your reply.”
Thanks A.W.,
I love your response as well, although to me the translation of Romans 1:20-21 seems extraordinarily complicated in its extreme passive form; I must have read it at least three times 🙂
And I appreciate your point regarding folk’s desire for a more “personal encounter”
But I’m not sure what to think about the “many who are stuck in the signs and wonders mode,” or the others who are trying desperately to figure God out”
When it comes to the signs and wonders mode or that other mode, maybe the different modes are okay
As long as we all obey the commandments 🙂
The whole of our Bible is YHVH revealing himself unto Adam. It is the “self-revelation” of the Creator, the (only) Holy ONE to the created (us). We are (lest we forget) His purchased possession. He sought us (where are you Adam) and He bought us (G-d did provide Himself the Lamb -at Calvary) with His redeeming blood. Very Jewish and very Passover. Christ (the Lamb) was crucified on Calvary’s tree- (oh how we should make much of the cross!) during the feast (remembrance) of Passover. -Why?
Do you think for one skinny minute-this was “random?” Is not G-d perfect in all He does, says and is? We have made much of the Torah in the last few years. This is good because the law of the LORD is good- and just and pure and holy. Remember the instructions of the LORD. Hear and obey the instructions, decrees, commands of the LORD. – Who is the LORD? Who is ADONAI? Who is the Christ?- “Remember the confession of Peter? “You are the Christ -the Son of the Living G-d.” Was Yeshua pleased with Peter’s response? (who do you say that I AM?) Very much so. Was Yeshua pleased with the confession of His neighbor- the thief dying with Him upon a cross? Very much so..- “Today- you will be with me in Paradise.” Did Yeshua answer the prayer of the blind beggar- “LORD- have mercy on me?” Did He? Did the merciful Christ show loving-kindness to this man? Did He? Did Christ embrace the lepers? Not touch- embrace. Did He? Does G-d, has G-d proven His love to sinners? Has He? Does He? Will He? – Yes- to all of the above. Jesus (who is the) Christ came into this world to save sinners. Jewish sinners, Gentile sinners- “all” have sinned and fallen short of the glory of G-d.
G-d has provided a Lamb for a propitiating Sacrifice. ONE who has paid in full the sin-debt of all of Adam’s race.
Consider this from the very Jewish book of Exodus concerning Moses, a very Jewish leader, intercessor and prophet of G-d- (Exodus 24:8) “Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.” The blood of the covenant- “ring a bell?” “This is the new covenant in My blood.” My Jewish friends- Who said these words and when were these words spoken? Christ the Messiah was celebrating Passover with His friends- the talmudim-the twelve, and He spoke these words- “Remember Me.” Do not forget. This is the command of Christ- “Remember Me.”
Dear ones,- Christ is the center, the core, the compass,-the circumference-the centerpiece of civilization. “Christ is all and in you all.” The Way, The Truth and The Life- I need not go on for He has already spoken. We know His words but we do not know Him. We are failures of epic proportions. We have been given much- the full, final complete revelation of YHVH and what have we done with it? “How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10.29) These are not happy words. These are hellish words.
There are those in this world who reject Christ. “We will not have this man reigning over us” is their current status. They have chosen “self” over the Savior and are quite content to be “willingly ignorant” concerning the things of G-d. Are we ‘burdened’ over these who have openly rejected and trampled underfoot the atoning blood of Christ?
What does Jesus mean to you? What part does He play (if any) in your life? Who is Jesus of Nazareth, the man from Galilee, the carpenter’s Son? Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Is He who He said He was? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upGCMl_b0n4
Thanks Skip – again a wonderful insightful note.
The following comment deserves to be expanded.
“While some schools of rabbinic Judaism recognize God’s majesty with fear and trembling, most Christians treat God as if He were a close friend living across the street. Judaism begins with awe. Christianity begins with love. They are not the same.”
In the beginning, Adam started out in a father-son, love relationship, which quickly turned to one of fear and trembling (awe) when sin entered the world. Today, we Christians start out in ‘love’ with many believers ending up in disappointment – with questions like, “If God is love, then why does He … (fill in the blanks).” When our wants, desires and needs are met according to our expectations, we so often end up questioning God, His motives, actions, and even His existence.
[A generalization] I would submit for consideration that while we proclaim ‘love’ as our Christian standard, few actually understand what ‘love’ actually is – and fewer of us practice it. As to God? Well, as long as He gives me my weekly allowance He will continue to get my ‘thank you’, when I remember to give it.
Art
Good points…
I wonder if really what God meant, and is re-emphasized by Paul…”whom no man has ever seen, or can ever see”, is the full manifestation of all that God is.
It is obvious that we have known in part, and it is probable that the “seeings” of God have been partial, such as Moses seeing His “back”, his “face to face” relationship (beholding the very form of God) or the reference in Ex 24 you mentioned.
God has always revealed Himself in part, and in measure to His purpose for revealing Himself and the measure of our ability to bear the seeing. It seems to be without contradiction, and yes, it is certainly a great reason why we love Him!
Yes, I agree. Yeshua cuts through the Babylonian crap like a razor sharp double-edge sword.
“an interesting article: http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/idiots.php”
Hi Robin,
I hope you are not too personally involved with the folks who write for HisHolyChurch at the link below
Because their argument is the worst form of ideological nonsense, disguised as academic scholarship
I’m not sure “socialist” is the best way to describe the Pharisees, as they do, but if they are socialists
Then so are Paul and Jesus, contrary to the claim made in their argument
I agree with the article that the early “Christians” were not “idiots,” as we understand the term today
But by sharing everything in common, as “one community”
The early “Christians” were practicing what we would probably call a form of “primitive communism”
An appropriate reminder for Labor Day 🙂
Hi Michael,
No, not involved at all, just on an email list. I seldom read his posts but this one got my attention. Please, I’d be interested to hear specifically what you disagree with.
“I’d be interested to hear specifically what you disagree with”
Hi Robin,
Please see comments below:
MIKE: In the Hebrew Bible, Cain and Abel (Hebrew: קין ,הבל, Hevel, Qayin) (Arabic: هابيل قابيل – Hābīl and Qābīl) are two sons of Adam and Eve.
BLOG: The practice of expanding government power through offering to care for the people and shower them with benefits is as old as Cain
MIKE: There was no such thing as “expanding government” or government at the time of Cain.
BLOG: The Pharisees were socialist.
MIKE: Socialism did not exist until the 1800s.
BLOG: The Pharisees had been teaching things that were contrary to God, Moses and now Jesus.
MIKE: According to Brad Young, who is a highly respected authority on Jesus, Jesus and Paul were Pharisees.
BLOG: Christ preached a welfare system based on faith, hope and charity.
MIKE: Jesus was not a systematic thinker to begin with, and he did not preach a welfare system based on faith, hope, and charity.
MIKE: In my view, the Blog is an example of semi-educated people taking advantage of people with less education for political reasons.
MIKE: In any case, whether you are a democrat, republican, capitalist, socialist, or an anarchist does not mean you are a good or a bad person IMO.
MIKE: For me, a good person does not make a habit of intentionally deceiving people.
I agree that this web site has been “tried and found wanting”. It seems as if there is a very right wing political agenda present ( who and what was no where to be found -or at least easily) and they are attempting to justify their fleshly opinions via Scripture. I wonder if they will be so harsh on the poor when they become one of them when judgement falls on this nation? Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
The following link will take you to an interesting article: http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/idiots.php
“While some schools of rabbinic Judaism recognize God’s majesty with fear and trembling, most Christians treat God as if He were a close friend living across the street. Judaism begins with awe. Christianity begins with love. They are not the same.”
It is difficult to truly love someone and not respect them. My relationship with my Heavenly Father (isn’t it wonderful to know He is our Father!) began with fear. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom… but the end (or goal) of our instruction is love out of a pure heart (a heart that has been purified) and of faith unfeigned (or unpretended, but real). Is G-d real to me? Absolutely. Have I ever seen Him (physically)? No. Will I see Him (physically)? Yes. I will- I know I will.
Down here (on the farm..lol!) we walk by faith- NOT by sight. Too many of us, maybe- are sight-seers and not faith-walkers. Brother Skip- you know the power/authority behind the “not.” Maybe this would be a good time to review this Bible word “not.!” It is a knotty not- a jump up and down -(for emphasis) “NOT” (sorry to have to shout!) By faith- not by sight. It is not (there goes the not again..) “see and believe” – it is “believe and then see”- “let all things be done decently and in order..” “Believe and then you will see.”
I wonder how many of us “faith-walkers” and Christ-followers have ever witnessed G-d in action? For lack of a better term- a G-d thing. Something that occurs with no other explanation other than- “G-d did that!”
Have we ever witnessed (up close and personal) direct answers to our prayers or the power of praise? Have the testimonies of others given you great joy as the Ruach Hakodesh- the Holy Breath of G-d swells the amen or Hallelujah within your spirit?
Have the high praises of G-d ever been in your mouth- or a two-edged sword been in your hand? Have we witnessed (up close and personal) the life-change effected by the Living word of G-d?
My journey, -my aliyah-began with fear. Yes, fear and trembling. I trembled in the presence of the Holy ONE. Cowering before Him in fear- on my face before Him, I prayed the very same prayer as the wandering son- “I have sinned and am no longer worthy to be called your son.”
What happened next? or more accurately- what is happening right now? He who began a good work in me is performing it- continuing it- perfecting it- until the day of Jesus Christ. Salvation is a three-part process. I have been saved (delivered) from the penalty of sin. I am being saved from the power (authority) of sin. I have the power (authority) of choice. I have the wonderful ability to say “no.” – Praise His name. I will be saved (delivered) from the presence of sin. Heaven and the New Jerusalem is my destination. I am heaven-born and (Hallelujah) heaven bound!
I respect Jesus. This respect would more accurately be described as awe. Yeshua is awesome! He is Wonderful. I am His friend, but He is my LORD and Sovereign King. Friends- when they saw Him- they worshiped Him- as in ‘face-down prostrate on the ground’ worship. “I fell at His feet as a dead man.” -That kind of ‘awesome.’
The question is not Jew or Gentile- the question is (and remains)- Am I? -Are you-(now) “in Christ?” Therefore, if anyone is in the Messiah, he is a new creation. Old things have disappeared, and-look!-all things have become new! (2 Corinthians 5.17) “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3.28) “G-d was in the Messiah, reconciling the world unto Himself” “-through Him G-d reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.” (Colossians 1.20)
“when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.” (I Corinthians 1.23) – Things haven’t changed all that much- have they?
One Rabbi recommended to his followers that a must have book for their library was…The Complete Book of Jewish Observance by Leo Trepp.
Pg. 93 reads. The relationship between Jew and God has always been intensely personal. God is a person, but at the same time the Jew has understood that God has absolutely no human features, that His essence cannot be fathomed. He has willed that we understand Him as a person, while remaining ineffable.
God is both the King and the Judge of the universe. As King, He rules all of creation. As Judge, He judges the whole host of heaven and earth. But He is compassionate. He waits for even the slightest sign of Teshuvah, that He may grand pardon and mercy. Man, by his actions, inscribes his own record in the book of evidence; whatever the accusing testimony, Teshuvah wipes it out.
Moved by His great compassion, God has given us a period of repentance.”
It seems the Jewish person actually does (depending I suppose on branch) perceive God with a more
personal attribute. But the essence of his understanding and perception is birthed in awe of who God is, and yet grasping His irrestible passion for us, his creation. That combination makes one pursue Him because truly, who is like unto God. Yeshua captured the essence of both God and man.
That is why the world will not be changed by man interpreting who God is, because man gets in the way. Man is consumed with peoples perception of him and many times tries to appear as a great orator with “words of wisdom”. I have yet to be impressed. But put me with one who when he speaks, you know God is in the room, then I listen. I think if we would truly get the Jewish understanding of God as
stated above in Trepp’s book, we would be removed from the equation. Then when we spoke the words would penetrate. I so want God, and not man’s interpretation of Him.
What I like about this book, it shows the Jew to be a people of prayer. I love the chapter on prayer.
This is the God that I want.
A must book for a Gentile who is trying to get a grasp on their Jewish heritage.
Kathy
One who is searching for G-d will find Him. The true seeker, asks in honesty and receives in honesty, because YHWH is True and Faithful. Those seeking for a god of their own making and taste, will find such. In my experience, I was introduced to Him one way and am now finding Him to be so much more than I ever could imagine.
As He promised, if you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. If you will obey me, I will bless you. If you disobey me, I will discipline you. Somehow, His appeals, promises and instructions are above just being my best bud. And yet, He can cut through all that lackadaisical attitude, if we are willing. Truly, He is merciful and gracious beyond measure! Praise the Name of YHWH!