The Light of Your Face

We cannot see God face-to-face

Exodus 33:18-23

¹⁸ Then Moses said, “Please let me see your glory!”

¹⁹ The LORD answered: I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim my name, “LORD,” before you; I who show favor to whom I will, I who grant mercy to whom I will.

²⁰ But you cannot see my face, for no one can see me and live.

²¹ Here, continued the LORD, is a place near me where you shall station yourself on the rock.

²² When my glory passes I will set you in the cleft of the rock and will cover you with my hand until I have passed by.

²³ Then I will remove my hand, so that you may see my back; but my face may not be seen.

"No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him" (Jn 1:18).

Jacob and the Mysterious Stranger

Jacob wrestling with the Angel is a biblical story commonly depicted in art. The story appears in chapter 32 of Genesis, and chapter 12 of the Book of Hosea. In Genesis 35:1-7 there is again a reference to the story.

Peniel = "Face of God"

Israel = "He fought God"

Moses

The shining face of Moses after meeting with God--covered with a veil.

Shining Faces

This is not an exhaustive list, just illustrative.

אוֹר Make to shine, enkindle.

Num 6:25	The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
Ps 34:6	Look to him and be radiant, and your faces may not blush for shame.
Ps 31:17	Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your mercy.
Ps 67:2	May God be gracious to us and bless us; may his face shine upon us.
Ps 80:4	O God, restore us; light up your face and we shall be saved.
Ps 80:8	O God of hosts, restore us; light up your face and we shall be saved.
Ps 80:20	LORD God of hosts, restore us; light up your face and we shall be saved.
Ps 104:15	[You make] wine to gladden their hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread to sustain the human heart.
Ps 119:135	Let your face shine upon your servant; teach me your statutes.
Ps 4:7	Many say, "May we see better times! LORD, show us the light of your face!"
Dan 9:17	Now, our God, hear the prayer and petition of your servant; and for your own sake, Lord, let your face shine upon your desolate sanctuary.
Ecc 8:1	Who is like the wise person, and who knows the explanation of things? Wisdom illumines the face and transforms a grim countenance.

New Testament

Transfiguration of Jesus

Face of Stephen during martyrdom?

Priestly blessing

Wikipedia, "Priestly Blessing"

May the LORD (YHWH) bless you and guard you -

יְבָרֶכְךָ יהוה, וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ

("Yebhārēkh-khā Adhōnāy weyishmerēkhā ...)

May the LORD make His face shed light upon you and be gracious unto you -

יָאֵר יהוה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וִיחֻנֶּךָּ

("Yāʾēr Adhōnāy pānāw ēlekhā wiḥunnékkā ...)

May the LORD lift up His face unto you and give you peace -

יִשָּׂא יהוה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם

("Yissā Adhōnāy pānāw ēlekhā wiyāsēm lekhā shālōm.")

NAB

Numbers 6:23-25

²⁴ The LORD bless you and keep you!

²⁵ The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!

²⁶ The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!

Our culture

• Beaming with pleasure: children on Christmas day, a proud parent watching a child perform well, "the look of love."
• Happiness makes our faces "light up." "Women aglow."
• Halos.
• New age religion: auras. (Just a parallel, not something I affirm.)
• Beatific vision.

"Smile," Lyrics by Parker and Watson

Sung by Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, Michael Buble ...

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile.

Links

• Wikipedia, "Divine countenance."