Why does God hide himself?

[Mickiel]

I really don't know God that well , of course I would like to; but I have no need to pretend that I know God ; I mean God would want me to be honest about knowing him. Notice Isaiah 45:15, " Truly you are a God that hides himself; O God of Israel , the Saviour." Why would God hide himself?

Notice Job 36:26 " Behold , God is Great , and we know him not! Neither can the number of his years be searched out." Many believers in God like to claim that they know him , but his word says that we don't. They have been trained to" Assume they know God", and their pride has been swelled so much, they lack the humility to admit they do not know God.

God is Great, and we know him not! Most believers will simply ignore this teaching in the word of God. God is indeed Great, he must be! I think its unusual that God hides himself from , I think , all humans! There are no exceptions, unless God makes the exception.

But I want to look into some biblical reasons as to " Why" God actually does this.

 

[Mickiel]

In 1Corinth.13:12 the Apostle states , "For now we see through a glass darkly." One of the possible biblical reasons why we do not know God that well, is that we cannot see the things in the Spirit world!" I mean we just are physical beings ; flesh and bones ; God is a Spirit, and he is " A Great Spirit!" God is just not like we are!

In Isaiah 55:8 God states " For my thoughts are not your thoughts ; neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord!" This is just the real biblical truth ; God does not think like a human does. One of the possible biblical reasons why God hides himself , is because he is absolutely nothing like we are.

I know I am not like God, my mind thinks some awful things at times! I know my love is NOTHING like God's Love. God is a totally different kind of being. He is described in Gal. 5:22-23; God is an absolutely peaceful being! He is Kind and Gentle! God is purely Good and Meek! And he is full of Joy!

None of us are like that!

 

[Damaged Eagle]

I really don't know God that well , of course I would like to; but I have no need to pretend that I know God ; I mean God would want me to be honest about knowing him. Notice Isaiah 45:15, " Truly you are a God that hides himself; O God of Israel , the Saviour." Why would God hide himself?

Notice Job 36:26 " Behold , God is Great , and we know him not! Neither can the number of his years be searched out." Many believers in God like to claim that they know him , but his word says that we don't. They have been trained to" Assume they know God", and their pride has been swelled so much, they lack the humility to admit they do not know God.

God is Great, and we know him not! Most believers will simply ignore this teaching in the word of God. God is indeed Great, he must be! I think its unusual that God hides himself from , I think , all humans! There are no exceptions, unless God makes the exception.

But I want to look into some biblical reasons as to " Why" God actually does this.

Perhaps you're looking in the wrong places... God's hiding right in plain sight.

*****HAPPY SMILE*****

 

[ScienceRocks]

We made our choice when we ate the apple from the tree of knowledge.

We chose to think and make our own choices...That is why he sits back and watches.

 

[Mudda]

We made our choice when we ate the apple from the tree of knowledge.

We chose to think and make our own choices...That is why he sits back and watches.

I didn't eat any such apple, so why does god hide from me?

 

[Mudda]

I really don't know God that well , of course I would like to; but I have no need to pretend that I know God ; I mean God would want me to be honest about knowing him. Notice Isaiah 45:15, " Truly you are a God that hides himself; O God of Israel , the Saviour." Why would God hide himself?

Notice Job 36:26 " Behold , God is Great , and we know him not! Neither can the number of his years be searched out." Many believers in God like to claim that they know him , but his word says that we don't. They have been trained to" Assume they know God", and their pride has been swelled so much, they lack the humility to admit they do not know God.

God is Great, and we know him not! Most believers will simply ignore this teaching in the word of God. God is indeed Great, he must be! I think its unusual that God hides himself from , I think , all humans! There are no exceptions, unless God makes the exception.

But I want to look into some biblical reasons as to " Why" God actually does this.

View attachment 114201

Perhaps you're looking in the wrong places... God's hiding right in plain sight.

*****HAPPY SMILE*****

Jethro Tull is god?

 

[Mickiel]

In Jer. 24:7 " I will give them a heart to know me." The simple biblical formula to know God; he has to do something to the human heart, or add things to the consciousness that was not there before.

If God does not do that, we just cannot know him.

 

[ding]

We made our choice when we ate the apple from the tree of knowledge.

We chose to think and make our own choices...That is why he sits back and watches.

No. That is allegorical. No other creature has the knowledge of good and evil. Only man, who is a being which knows and creates, can have knowledge of good and evil. The other creatures do not possess this capability which is unique to man. Original sin is not because Adam and Eve ate an apple. It is because man possesses the ability to do good and evil. Of course evil is merely the absence of good as dark is the absence of light and cold is the absence of heat, but I digress. Man prefers good over evil, and he knows the difference between the two. When he violates it, rather than admitting that he violates it, he rationalizes that he did not. These are all self evident truths that any dumbass ought to know, but most don't. Ancient man knew these things, but modern man is too smart to be fooled by self evident truths. No wonder our world is in the shape it is in today.

 

[yiostheoy]

Interesting topic Mickiel .

From modern Philosophy, God is too busy to worry about us humans.

From ancient Judaism, humans would shrivel up and die if God visited them.

From ancient Christianity, humans must first repent, be baptized, and show good works before God (the Father of Jesus) will take any interest in them.

Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Shinto, and Zoroastrianism do not give any good reasons however.

Q.E.D.

 

[ding]

Interesting topic Mickiel .

From modern Philosophy, God is too busy to worry about us humans.

Q.E.D.

If that were the case then He would not have given us a way to know when we were doing good or rationalizing that we were when we weren't. Trust me, He cares. You just don't understand how it works.

 

[ding]

From ancient Judaism, humans would shrivel up and die if God visited them.

Your simplistic, cynical and insulting view of the Jewish people is without warrant. I do not know what is wrong with you, but you should seriously consider getting some help. Here is a more correct and accurate summary of Judaism. According to Huston Smith, Judaism has given the world:

A. Meaning in God.
B. Meaning in Creation.
C. Meaning in Human Existence.
D Meaning in History.
E. Meaning in Morality.
F. Meaning in Justice.
G. Meaning in Suffering.
H. Meaning in Messianism.

The Hallowing of Life. - Jewish ceremonies and observances
The West, influenced by the Greek partiality for abstract reason, emphasizes theology and creed, the East has approached religion through ritual and narrative. Ritual plays a part in life that nothing else can fill. In Judaism it aims to hallow life - ideally, all life. The name for the right approach to life and the world is piety. The secret of piety consists in seeing the entire world as belonging to God and reflecting God's glory. The Jews preserve this sense of the sanctity of all things through tradition. Judaism the most historically minded of all religions finds holiness and history inseparable. The basic manual for the hallowing of life is the Law, the first five books of the Bible.

Revelation.
The Jews in their interpretation of the major areas of human experience arrived at a more profound grasp of meaning than any of their Mediterranean neighbors; a grasp that in its essentials has not been surpassed. The Jew's say they did not reach these insight on their own. They were revealed to them. For the Jews God revealed himself first and foremost in actions - not words but deeds. It was through miracles, divine intervention. God took the imitative. The God that the Exodus disclosed was powerful and a God of goodness and love. A God who was intensely concerned with human affairs. It followed that God would want people to be good as well. Finally, suffering must carry significance because it was unthinkable that a God who had miraculously saved his people would ever abandon them completely. All this took shape for the Jews around the idea of the covenant. Yahweh would continue to bless the Israelites if they, for their part, would honor the laws they had been given.

The Chosen People.
The idea that a universal god decided that the divine nature should be uniquely and incomparably disclosed to a single people is among the most difficult notions to take seriously in the entire study of religion. The Jews did not see themselves as singled out for privileges. They were chosen to serve, and to suffer the trials that service would often exact. Isaiah's doctrine of vicarious suffering meant that the Jews were elected to shoulder a suffering that would otherwise have been distributed more widely. It is the doctrine that God's doings can focus like a burning glass on particular times, places, and peoples - in the interest, to be sure, of intentions that embrace human beings universally.

Israel.
Judaism cannot be reduced to its biblical period. In 70 A.D. the Romans destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem and the focus of Judaism shifted to Rabbinic Judaism - from the sacrificial rite of the Temple to the study of the Torah and its accompanying Oral Tradition in academies and synagogues around the world. Today, almost two thousand years later, there are four great sectors of Judaism that still constitute its spiritual anatomy - faith, observance, culture, and nation. The reasons for the establishment of the modern of Israel in 1948 present complex problems. Without presuming to answer these problems, we can appreciate the burdens they place on the conscience of this exceptionally conscientious people.

07 Judaism

 

[Mickiel]

Interesting topic Mickiel .

From modern Philosophy, God is too busy to worry about us humans.

From ancient Judaism, humans would shrivel up and die if God visited them.

From ancient Christianity, humans must first repent, be baptized, and show good works before God (the Father of Jesus) will take any interest in them.

Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Shinto, and Zoroastrianism do not give any good reasons however.

Q.E.D.

Interesting topic Mickiel .

From modern Philosophy, God is too busy to worry about us humans.

From ancient Judaism, humans would shrivel up and die if God visited them.

From ancient Christianity, humans must first repent, be baptized, and show good works before God (the Father of Jesus) will take any interest in them.

Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Shinto, and Zoroastrianism do not give any good reasons however.

Q.E.D.

Well I think God is an interesting being , he certainly does seem to have a side to him that does not worry about humans. I know some believers in God don't want to see this side of God, but it exist , and its scripture. Isaiah 40:17 , " All nations before him are as nothing", they are counted by him as less than nothing and meaningless!"

My goodness, " Less than nothing." All humans Are less than nothing to him. Dan. 4:35 states the same thing, everyone on earth are less than nothing to God. Reputed as nothing.

In my view, it can be frightening.

 

[Brynmr]

We chose to think and make our own choices...That is why he sits back and watches.

That just makes "God" grossly irresponsible and downright stupid.

 

[ding]

We chose to think and make our own choices...That is why he sits back and watches.

That just makes "God" grossly irresponsible and downright stupid.

Make sure to tell Him that when you see Him. That conversation will go something like this:

Then the Lord answered out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it, And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed? Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment. And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken. Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth? Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all. Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof, That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof? Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great? Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth? Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder; To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man; To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth? Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew? Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it? The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are? Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven, When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together? Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions, When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait? Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat. Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve? Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth? They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows. Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them. Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass? Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings. He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver. The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing. Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib? Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee? Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him? Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn? Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust, And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them. She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not her's: her labour is in vain without fear; Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding. What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider. Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder? Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible. He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword. The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield. He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting. Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south? Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high? She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place. From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off. Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.

Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous? Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him? Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty. Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him. Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place. Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret. Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.

 

[hobelim]

In Jer. 24:7 " I will give them a heart to know me." The simple biblical formula to know God; he has to do something to the human heart, or add things to the consciousness that was not there before.

If God does not do that, we just cannot know him.

In ancient times, the belief was that the human heart was the seat of consciousness. We now know that the seat of consciousness is in the brain. Accordingly when scripture speaks of what goes on in the heart the subject is really about what is going on in the mind.


If you want a heart to know God, purify your mind. The heart only pumps blood.

Remember?

Blessed are the pure of heart,(mind), for they shall see God.

 

[yiostheoy]

Well I think God is an interesting being , he certainly does seem to have a side to him that does not worry about humans. I know some believers in God don't want to see this side of God, but it exist , and its scripture. Isaiah 40:17 , " All nations before him are as nothing", they are counted by him as less than nothing and meaningless!"

My goodness, " Less than nothing." All humans Are less than nothing to him. Dan. 4:35 states the same thing, everyone on earth are less than nothing to God. Reputed as nothing.

In my view, it can be frightening.

This is the classic Modern Philosophy interpretation of God -- exactly.

If you think about it logically, humans are no different than insects to God.

And compared to God we are insects.

So this suggests that we are pretty much on our own after having been created by God. This notion is called Deism.

Once you get accustomed to the realities of Deism then the next philosophical step becomes Stoicism and/or Epicureanism.

You must be Stoic during the hard times, and you may be Epicurean during the good times. So eat, drink, and be merry while the good times last. And then keep a stiff upper lip when they turn bad again.

 

[Indeependent]

Interesting topic Mickiel .

From ancient Judaism, humans would shrivel up and die if God visited them.

Huh?

 

[Mickiel]

In Jer. 24:7 " I will give them a heart to know me." The simple biblical formula to know God; he has to do something to the human heart, or add things to the consciousness that was not there before.

If God does not do that, we just cannot know him.

In ancient times, the belief was that the human heart was the seat of consciousness. We now know that the seat of consciousness is in the brain. Accordingly when scripture speaks of what goes on in the heart the subject is really about what is going on in the mind.


If you want a heart to know God, purify your mind. The heart only pumps blood.

Remember?

Blessed are the pure of heart,(mind), for they shall see God.

I disagree , the seat of consciousness is unknown ; there is nothing inside our heads besides bone and flesh ; consciousness is a spirit " In man."

 

[ding]

Interesting topic Mickiel .

From ancient Judaism, humans would shrivel up and die if God visited them.

Huh?

I need to ask a favor of you. Do you know this guy?

HaShev

Do you believe his beliefs representative of most Jewish people?

 

[yiostheoy]

Interesting topic Mickiel .

From ancient Judaism, humans would shrivel up and die if God visited them.

Huh?

I take it you don't read much then ?!