Face of God
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· 2 viewsA term used to refer to the character of God, especially his favour towards his people. For God to turn his face to his people is to offer them his grace and help; for God to turn his face against his people is to withhold his favour and blessing. To seek the face of God is to seek his favour.
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The face of God as a sign of blessing
The face of God as a sign of blessing
The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
See also 2 Sa 21:1; 1 Ch 16:11; Ps 4:6; Ps 31:16; Ps 67:1; Ps 80:19; Ps 105:4; Ps 119:135; Eze 39:29
Parts of God’s face
Parts of God’s face
His ears
His ears
2 Sa 22:7; 2 Ki 19:28; Ps 34:15; Ps 102:2; Is 59:1
His eyes
His eyes
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
See also Dt 11:12; 2 Ch 16:9; Ps 139:16; Pr 15:3
His hair
His hair
I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
His lips
His lips
Ps 89:34; Is 11:4; Is 30:27
His mouth
His mouth
2 Sa 22:9; Job 15:30; Is 45:23
His nostrils
His nostrils
2 Sa 22:9; 2 Sa 22:16
The visibility of God’s face
The visibility of God’s face
His face cannot be seen
His face cannot be seen
Ex 33:20–23 “The face of God” may mean here God’s real and true self, the inference being that no-one can look on God as he is in his total purity and majesty.
Apparent exceptions where God is seen face to face
Apparent exceptions where God is seen face to face
Ge 32:30 After Jacob’s wrestling with a figure whose exact identity is not explicit in the preceding verses. Jacob did experience a real encounter with God but God was in a real and approachable form, not in his transcendent and visible glory.
See also Ex 33:11; Nu 12:8; Dt 5:4; Dt 34:10; Eze 20:35
The angels in heaven look upon the face of God
The angels in heaven look upon the face of God
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
God must reveal himself if people are to see his face
God must reveal himself if people are to see his face
Job 34:29 The Greek word for “revelation” literally means “removing a veil from one’s face”.
The righteous will see God’s face in the life to come
The righteous will see God’s face in the life to come
1 Co 13:12; Re 22:4
When God hides his face blessing is withheld
When God hides his face blessing is withheld
Complaints at God hiding his face
Complaints at God hiding his face
Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?
See also Ps 13:1; Ps 88:14
Cries for help
Cries for help
Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
See also Ps 69:17; Ps 102:2; Ps 143:7
Statements concerning God’s anger and judgment
Statements concerning God’s anger and judgment
In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.
See also Dt 31:17–18; Ps 22:24; Ps 30:7; Ps 51:9; Ps 104:29; Is 8:17; Is 64:7; Je 33:5; Eze 39:23–24; Mic 3:4; Re 6:16
Other phrases synonymous with God hiding his face
Other phrases synonymous with God hiding his face
2 Ch 30:9; Je 18:17; Eze 7:22
God sets his face against sinners
God sets his face against sinners
Le 17:10; Le 20:3; Le 26:17; Ps 34:16; Eze 14:8; 1 Pe 3:12; Eze 15:7
God’s face as a symbol of his favour
God’s face as a symbol of his favour
Seeking the face of God in prayer
Seeking the face of God in prayer
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
See also 2 Sa 21:1; 1 Ch 16:11; Ps 24:6; Ps 105:4; Ps 119:58; Ho 5:15
Seeking the favour of God
Seeking the favour of God
And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?
See also 1 Sa 13:12; 2 Ki 13:4; 2 Ch 33:12; Je 26:19; Da 9:13; Zec 7:2; Zec 8:21; Mal 1:9
Appearing before God in worship
Appearing before God in worship
Ex 23:15 The phrase seems to recall the fact that in ancient religions worshippers came before carved faces of their idols. In Israel such physical representations of God were forbidden but the phrase was still used underlining the belief that Israel’s God was present in his sanctuary.
See also Ex 23:17; Ex 34:20; Dt 16:16; Dt 31:11; Ps 42:2; Is 1:12
The shining of God’s face upon his people indicates his blessing
The shining of God’s face upon his people indicates his blessing
The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
See also Ps 4:6; Ps 31:16; Ps 44:3; Ps 67:1; Ps 80:3; Ps 80:19; Ps 119:135
God’s face accompanies Israel as a symbol of his presence
God’s face accompanies Israel as a symbol of his presence
Ex 33:14 Literally “my face will go ...” Here this phrase may allude not only to God’s presence but also to the manifestations of his presence (e.g., the cloud in verse 9).
See also Dt 4:37; Is 63:9