Angels (Part 2)

The Old Testament God

At this point, we must deal with an old assumption about God. First, did man encounter God in the Old Testament?

Read Exodus 33:1-23

10. Who did Moses meet and talk to when he entered the tabernacle?

Note: Remember that LORD in capital letters is for the Hebrew YHVH, or Jehovah.

11. Was God hidden when He talked to Moses? (verse 11)

12. What kind of relationship existed between Jehovah and Moses?

13. Was it possible for a man to see the face of God and live?

14. How, then, was Moses able to see Him?

Note: There is a strange conflict in this passage. First, we are told that Moses talked to God face to face. Then, Moses is told that no man can see God's face and live. This may explain the presence of the cloud at the door of the Tabernacle. Moses spoke to God face to face, but God was obscured from view by the cloud.

Read Genesis 32:24-30

15. With whom did Jacob wrestle all night?

16. Why was Jacob's name changed?

17. Is Jacob said to have prevailed with God?

18. Whom did Jacob say he had seen face to face?

19. Did he think it unusual that a man could see God and live?