Can we see God?

Exodus 33:11 mentioned that Moses speaks face to face to God as a friend. However, in few more verses after that (Exodus 33:20), God said to Moses, "you cannot see My face, for no one may see Me and live." These two verses make me think that there are different meanings/level of seeing God.

Physically, seeing is connected to the ability of eyes to perceive the visible light spectrum. So, if we interpret those verses literally, it means either God appeared in between the visible light spectrum or the human light spectrum is broaden to perceive more. However, 'to see' can also mean 'to understand', 'to recognize', 'to identify', 'to foresee', 'to imagine', 'to notice', or 'to experience'. Therefore, trying to guess what exactly the meaning behind the word 'seeing God's face' in those verses is not very easy.

The old testament describes that the Lord appeared to, among others:

1. Abraham (Gen 12:7; 17:1; 18:1)
2. Isaac (Gen 26:2, 24)
3. Jacob (Gen 35:1, 9; 48:3)
4. Moses (Exo 3:16; 4:5)

Some stated that they see God, among others:

1. Hagar (Gen 16:13)
2. Jacob (Gen 32:30)
3. Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu (Exo 24: 9-11)
4. Isaiah (Isa 6:1)

In the new testament, Jesus as a human is, of course, visible by many people. However, some of the disciples see the different appearance of Jesus when He was transfigured (Mat 17:1-8). Paul mentioned that no one has seen or can see God (1 Tim 6:16). The same direction is also mentioned by John (John 1:18; 1 John 4:12). On other hand, John also mentioned that he saw God in Revelation 1:17.

A blind person can not describe what he/she does not see. I am not very sure if I have enough experience of seeing God that I can explain that to someone. I also believe that God can appear in many different forms (fire, cloud, wind, gentle whisper, etc.). 

I believe it is OK to pray and to be hungry to see God. It will be always good to be able to understand Him more and to get closer to Him. Like Moses, God can personally notify us if our request is impossible and I believe His alternative (e.g. to see His back) will also be awesome.

I want to see You, God.

God is with you

From time to time we need to be reminded that God is with us. Many bible verses go in that direction, for example:

• God said to Moses (Exo 3:12), to Joshua (Jos 1:9), to Gideon (Judg 6:12,16), to His disciples (Mat 28:20)
• Many people/prophet said that to the people: Moses (Deut 31:6,8), Isaiah (Isa 41:10),  Zephaniah (Zep 3:17), the author of the book of Hebrew (Heb 13:5).
• By signs and wonders: by the presence of manna, cloud, fire, angels, etc.
• Holy Spirit is with us: Eze 36:27, John 14:16, 1 Cor 3:16, 2 Cor 13:14.

During my long journeys (eg. long academic studies/processes, in the effort of praying/believing for something), apart from small voices in my heart and from reading the bible, sometimes God gives me small reminders about His companionship. He suddenly answered my simple prayers/wishes (eg. want to have/eat something, want to talk with someone). Then, He said the simple sentence to me "I am with you". This helped me a lot especially when I feel emotionally tired or when I start to doubt (if I did/decided something wrong). 

The God that loves you is with you.

Bezalel: wisdom, skills, and willingness

He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills (Exodus 35:31, NIV)

Bezalel was a man chosen by God to work with gold, silver, bronze, stones, wood (Exodus 35:32-33), yarn, fabrics (Exodus 35:35), to construct (Exodus 36:1) and to teach (Exodus 35:34). To make him able to all of those broad works, God gave him: the Spirit of God, wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and skills.

These days, when many churches/Christian-groups operate online, the need for tech skills and wisdom is increasing. Many people are learning how to use new applications, software, hardware, and skills. To manage online services and meetings, not only tech skill is needed. Often, wisdom is needed to organize/manage, communicate, make decisions, and troubleshoot.

Apart from the gift of ability, one additional important quality is the willingness to come and do the work (Exodus 36:2). In working with technology, many times we learn/obtain new skills as we invest time and work. Sometimes learning these takes emotional energy. That is the reason why willingness is an important characteristic.

Now eagerly desire the greater gifts (1 Cor 12:13a, NIV)

The greater gifts in this bible verse can refer to different gifts depending on the situation. However, we can learn here that the desire for operating in gifts is important. 

Today, if you are in a situation that is possible to learn new technologies or get involved in technology-related services, allow God to use and equip you. Not only with skills, but with some other personal qualities.

Approaching God: Holy & Love

After giving the ten commandments, God invited the people to approach Him. However, most of the people stayed at a distance.

When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. (Exodus 20:18-21)

There are several untrustworthy opinions that I heard relating to approaching God:

1. 'We can never ask to meet face to face to God because that will makes us die.' This way of thinking often makes people never try to get closer to God.
2. 'Because Jesus made a way for us to approach God, regardless if we are sinning, we can still be close to God.' Most of the people that believe this, do not see holiness important and lose the fear of God in their life.

God is both holy (1 Peter 1:16) and love (1 John 4:8). The art of approaching God consists of both respecting His holiness and believing in His love. God loves us so much that He wants to have a close relationship with us, but it never means that He tolerates His holiness.

Of course, there are many other aspects relating to approaching God: trust, faith, hungry & thirsty, waiting for Him, seeking Him, humble, be a living sacrifice, etc. I wish that we can grow closer and closer to God because be with Him is the best place that we can be. 

Believe in God’s Guidance

In a critical situation where the Israelites were in the desert chased by Pharaoh and his army, Moses said to them (Exodus 14:13-14, NIV):

Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Moses said this because the LORD promises that HE will gain glory (Exodus 14:4, NIV) and because Moses believe that the LORD will fight for the Israelites (Exodus 14:14, NIV). However, the LORD did not fight for them. HE divided the water at the sea.

Sometimes -as a result of following God’s guidance- we end up in a difficult situation (worse than ever). This story tell us to keep believe in His guidance, even though His solution is not the same to what we can think about. God will always be with us as long as we follow His guidance.