Transcendence of God

God is outside and above all creation

Ps 113:4; Is 40:22

Solomon confesses that God transcends containment by the temple:

1 Ki 8:27; 2 Ch 2:6

Job 37:23 Elihu declares the Lord to be beyond reach; Ps 8:1; Ps 57:5; Ps 57:11; Ps 97:9; Ps 108:5; Ps 148:13; Is 33:5; Ac 7:49; Ac 17:24; Eph 1:20–21 Jesus Christ is above all, in the place of highest honour and authority; Eph 4:6; Heb 7:26

God is able also to draw near to his creatures

Isaiah 57:15 DIEBYBEL:A19331953

15 Want so sê die Hoë en Verhewene wat in die ewigheid woon, Heilig is sy Naam: Ek woon in die hoogte en in die heilige plek en by die verbryselde en nederige van gees, om te laat herlewe die gees van die nederiges en te laat herlewe die hart van die verbryseldes.

The invisibility of God

God is invisible to people and hidden from their sight

Ex 33:20; Is 45:15

See also Ex 3:6

Job is unable to find God in his suffering:

Job 9:11; Job 23:8–9

Ps 10:1; Ps 13:1; Ps 89:46; Jn 1:18 Jesus Christ has made God known; Jn 5:37; Col 1:15 Jesus Christ is the image of God; 1 Ti 1:17; 1 Ti 6:16; 1 Jn 4:12

OT saints who saw God

Ex 33:11 These exceptions indicate that God’s invisibility is not inherent, but the result of sinful people’s inability to look upon a holy God.

See also Is 6:5; Ge 32:30; Ex 24:10; Jdg 13:22

God is made visible in Jesus Christ

Jn 1:18; Jn 14:9; 2 Co 4:4; 2 Co 4:6; Col 1:15

Redeemed people will be able to look at God’s face

Mt 5:8; 1 Co 13:12; 1 Jn 3:2; Re 22:4

God’s ways are beyond human understanding

Isaiah 55:8–9 DIEBYBEL:A19331953

8 Want my gedagtes is nie julle gedagtes nie, en julle weë is nie my weë nie, spreek die Here. 9 Want soos die hemel hoër is as die aarde, so is my weë hoër as julle weë en my gedagtes as julle gedagtes.

See also Ro 11:33–34; 1 Co 2:16; Is 40:28; Ec 3:11; Dt 29:29; Job 5:9; Job 11:7; Job 36:22–23; Ps 139:1–6; Pr 25:2; 1 Co 2:11