The Radiance of HIs Face

The Radiance of his Face

Your face, LORD, I will seek. (Ps 27:8)

The greater part of what follows, I have gleaned from an "Israel Teaching Letter" written by Clarence H. Wagner, Jr, off the "Bridges for Peace" - Web site in 2002.

When we try to understand Biblical language, it is helpful to look at the word in the original language. We also need to keep in mind that the Old Testament is written from a Hebrew mind set, where the function of an object is more important, as opposed to the Greek mind set, which is more concerned with its form.

The Hebrew word for face is panim, which is the same word used for "presence". Eg. the showbread of Ex 25:30, called the bread of the presence, is written as Lechem HaPanim, literally the "Bread of the Face". In Israel, the Ministry of Interior is called Misrad HaPanim, or Office of Presence. Literally, this is the the government office that keeps a record of all citizens present in the land. Panim is also the plural form of the word, actually meaning faces. The face(s) of God represents the many facets of his character, like the many facets of a diamond. Note the word, facet, also has "face" as its root.

A person’s face identifies him. It reveals what’s inside of him; his emotions, dispositions and also his character shows in his face.

God wants us to look at him, to show him our face. He wants us to look into his heart; therefore He shows us "his face". In the Aaronic blessing (Num 6:25), the Lord says to us, "The Lord make his face to shine on you". The Hebrew word for shine used here has to do with luminescence, a light that glows from within. In the Bible, light is the essence of God’s presence. "God is light" (1 Jn 1:5) He lives in unapproachable light (I Tit 6:16).


To make his face shine on you is an indication of divine approval. He is pleased with us, like a king that is granting an audience to a subject, lifting his sceptre, extending his favour. That which is dross should burn away in his presence.

Daniel, when interceding for Jerusalem (Dan 9:17), asks God to look with favour on his desolate sanctuary. The light of God’s face brings salvation: "Turn us, O God, and cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved. (Ps 80:3,7,19)

Light symbolises life and prosperity. To see the light is to be born, to be alive. Light brings understanding. It is associated with life, salvation, wisdom, revelation. The entrance of you words give light (Ps 119:130). When the Lord lifts up his face upon us, He is smiling down on us, extending his friendship. Joy Dawson from Youth With A Mission once said, "Oh, the absurdity of thinking that any human relationship can match friendship with the living God! That is the justice of God to the single person."

Moses talked with God face to face, as with a friend (Ex 33:11, Num 12:8), Dt 5:4, 34:10). In what seems like a paradox, God tells Moses that "no one can see My Face and live. (Ex 33:20-23) Yet, Jacob said, "I have seen God face to face. John said, "No one has ever seen God" (Jh 1:18)
Until we die a physical death, none of us will be holy enough to directly see the face of God. But, I believe that God can open our spiritual eyes to see his Face shining on us.

He desires for us to seek his face, his presence. God created us to have fellowship, intimacy with him - face to face. Jesus promises us in Joh 14:23: "We will come and live with him". He doesn’t dwell in a temple anymore. He dwells in us. We are his temple. ( I Cor 3:16) His Shekinah glory dwells in us! The word, Shekinah, comes from a Hebrew root meaning "dwelling" or "resting". It is not in the Bible, but was derived by Rabbis to refer to the presence of God among us.

What a glorious comfort and joy: the eternal God, Creator of the universe - living in close quarters with me - on a daily basis. An ever present friend, counsellor and Father. Truly, "there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother" (Pr 18:24)

All these glorious blessings (intimacy, acceptance, approval, God’s presence, revelation, life, prosperity, even salvation) are locked up in the simple phrase, "Lord, make your face shine on us". It is a wonderful prayer to pray for loved ones, lost ones and oneself on a daily basis.

Ps 105:4 - Seek his face always!