Can We See God?

The Hebrew scriptures make the bold claim that no one can see YHVH. However, this week's Torah portion, Vayerah וַיֵּרָא (And He Appeared), teaches us that Abraham saw YHVH in the form of a human. As the first paragraph of this portions clearly shows:

"Then the LORD appeared to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre in the heat of the day, while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent. And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. 'My lord,' said Abraham, 'if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by.'" Genesis 18:1-3

To avoid any confusion that one of these three "men" were indeed Adonai, we can see in Hebrew that it was indeed YHVH who appeared to Abraham.

18:1  וַיֵּרָא אֵלָיו יְהוָה בְּאֵלֹנֵי מַמְרֵא וְהוּא יֹשֵׁב פֶּתַח־הָאֹהֶל כְּחֹם הַיּוֹם׃

We also see that Abraham bowed low to the ground in an act of worship while calling that being "Adonai" which means "My lord" in Hebrew. We also see that this being did not rebuke him for his act of worship. He did not tell him that He wasn't YHVH and that He should not be worshiped. In later scriptures we see angels rebuking men if anyone offered them worship (see Rev. 19:10 & 22:9). Yeshua, Jesus, also did the same when Satan, a fallen angel, tries to persuade him to bow down and worship him (see Mat. 4:10).

So, are we able to see God or not? This is one of those paradoxes that on the surface makes the scriptures appear to contradict itself. If we cannot see God, as made evident by these verses below, then why does this teaching begins with YHVH taking human form and "appearing" to Abraham?

"No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us." 1 John 4:12

"But He added, 'You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.'" Exodus 33:20 when Adonai spoke to Moses

This verse particular verse 20 seems to contradict the 11th verse of the same chapter of Exodus 33 that states,

"Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." Exodus 33:11a

So, which is it? Can we see Adonai or not? Is the Jewish view the official view and is that view based on scriptures? The answer to these questions is complicated. I often say that context is everything and often, whenever we find contradictions in scripture we need to examine the context to fully understand them. My stance continues to be that there are no contradictions in scriptures, and if there were, then scriptures are not trust worthy and therefore not worth our time or effort.

I've heard all sorts of justifications and explanations to do away with this passage and verses. Some say Abraham had a vision here and that the men didn't really show up in the flesh that day. An explanation that doesn't go far when we continue to read the narrative. That is because we see that they shared a meal together. A part I believe HaShem ensured would make into the narrative to solidify the fact that they were indeed there in human form with physical bodies.

The only logical explanation to this narrative is that Adonai, who revealed Himself to Abraham and Sarah that day is Yeshua. Of course, this is an explanation that is considered blasphemy to the Jew, however, it remains as the only logical explanation in my humble opinion. Further evidence that supports this claim is found a bit later in the same narrative, a chapter later,

"Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens." Genesis 19:24

In Hebrew we see,

19:24  וַיהוָה הִמְטִיר עַל־סְדֹם וְעַל־עֲמֹרָה גָּפְרִית וָאֵשׁ מֵאֵת יְהוָה מִן־הַשָּׁמָיִם׃

That the YHVH who was on earth and had met with Abraham earlier requested YHVH in the heavens to send sulfur and fire to judge Sodom and Gomorrah. Huh? Two YHVHs, one conversing with the other and having independent acts from one another? How do we reconcile that verse without believing in the existence of a complex YHVH? Where have we read or heard about this before? Let me refresh your memories:

"And a voice from heaven said, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!'" Matthew 3:17

"While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!'" Matthew 17:5

The YHVH in the heavens spoke about the YHVH on earth in these instances. Next we see YHVH on earth claiming to be one (Ehad אֶחָד) with the YHVH in the heavens:

"Philip said to Him, 'Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.' Jesus replied, 'Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father?' Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works.'" John 14:8-10

Therefore, the answer to the question "Can we see God?" is complex. The answer isn't always one or the other. Sometimes the answer is both. In fact, often times the answer is both. We cannot see YHVH the Father, because He is Spirit (see Col 1:15, John 4:24, & 2 Cor. 3:17). However, just as Abraham, the Disciples and so many others, we can see YHVH the Son. The living Word of Adonai who dwelled with us as promised in Isaiah 7:14 and confirmed in Mat. 1:23. John says it best as he proclaims the following:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it... The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:1-5&14

I haven't seen Him in the flesh yet, but someday I will. What a glorious day that will be. To everyone who shares my hope, I bid you a blessed week filled with His grace. We are instructed to encorage one another, regardless of what is happening to us on earth. It is our blessed hope:

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age, as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you." Titus 2:11-15

Shalom Ve'Shavuah Tov!