Face of God (2)
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· 9 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 you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you 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 on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
See also Dt 11:12; 2 Ch 16:9; Ps 139:16; Pr 15:3
His hair
His hair
“I watched till thrones were put in place,
And the Ancient of Days was seated;
His garment was white as snow,
And the hair of His head was like pure wool.
His throne was a fiery flame,
Its wheels a 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 you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who 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
Why do You hide Your face,
And forget our affliction and our oppression?
See also Ps 13:1; Ps 88:14
Cries for help
Cries for help
Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not leave me nor 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
With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment;
But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,”
Says the LORD, your 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 who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and 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
Then Moses pleaded with the LORD his God, and said: “LORD, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought 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 you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you 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