Did Adam (or Eve) see God in the Garden?

[Bro. Ruben]

Prior to the fall, were they able to see God in the garden? The first part of Genesis sounds as if they were walking together in the garden.

If that was the case, then man really had seen God face to face.

Thanks.

 

[blackbird]

A careful examination will conclude two things

Over and over Scripture is clear when it says

God "saw"

on the First day's conclusion---God "saw"

on the Second day's conclusion--again--God "saw"

on and on through the days

Concerning Adam & Eve---never does it say they "saw" God---rather---they HEARD God as He spoke---and after Eve's deception and Adam's disobedience---they "heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden

Then it says that Adam & Eve hid themselves from God's presence and then they confessed that they "heard" His voice and hid themselves from His voice.

Two things that they did see

#1 Eve "saw" that the tree was good for food

#2 They both "saw" their nakedness

But nowhere does it mention or even implies that they "saw" God face to face

Good thoughts, though Bro. Ruben---someone else will come along with more insight than what we have here in my post--I'm quiet sure of that!!

Bro. David

 

[Bro. Ruben]

Thank you, Bro. David.

But I still believe that Adam indeed saw God, but not God the Father. It might have been Jesus.

 

[bapmom]

Can it be possible that they "saw" a form or being which was truly God, but He just didn't appear to them in His full, distinctive appearance?

ok, its late, but Im trying to make sense.

Sorry

 

[Bro. Ruben]

Originally posted by bapmom:
Can it be possible that they "saw" a form or being which was truly God, but He just didn't appear to them in His full, distinctive appearance?

ok, its late, but Im trying to make sense.

Sorry

Unless that form (or being) introduces itself as God... For how come Adam would know it was God.

I don't know, I'm just guessing here.

 

[Helen]

A theophany is an appearance of the preincarnate Christ. Remember when Abraham entertained Him and then discussed with Him the destiny of Sodom?

Christ said no man has seen the Father. But plenty of men saw Christ -- including Adam and Eve.

 

[Gold Dragon]

Originally posted by Helen:
A theophany is an appearance of the preincarnate Christ. Remember when Abraham entertained Him and then discussed with Him the destiny of Sodom?

Christ said no man has seen the Father. But plenty of men saw Christ -- including Adam and Eve.

While the preincarnate Christ may have been what OT folks saw, I do not believe this is strongly supported by scripture.

Yes, the Logos was with God and was God from the beginning. But any other roles the Logos played before becoming flesh is speculation outside of the text.

 

[Scott J]

I agree with Helen. It seems to me the text describes a more personal type of fellowship.

 

[TaterTot]

Many scholars who take that stance that the garden wasnt literal use thses same concepts to prove their point. I wont debate it here, but it is something to think about.

 

[Shiloh]

Can you SEE a voice?

 

[Johnv]

Originally posted by Bro. Ruben:
Prior to the fall, were they able to see God in the garden?

Dunno. They walked with God, and heard his voice, and communicated with Him.

The rest is sheer speculation. Even in regards to them walking and hearing, how they walked, and how they heard is something we don't know. And in the big scheme of things, it's unimportant.

 

[Scott J]

No.

But does a voice "walk"? Does a spirit have a presence you can physically hide from?

Gen 3:8And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

 

[Me4Him]

The Jews teach that prior to Adam/Eve fall their skin was almost "transparent" from the "light of the spirit" inside them that kept them "ALIVE".

After the Fall, "BLOOD" became the "medium" which sustains the "life of the flesh".

We have to be willing to "shed blood" to crucify the "old man" (flesh) so we can "live by the spirit", "AGAIN". (Redeemed)

John, in Revelations, saw God.

Re 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

Abraham also saw God, but in an "earthly form".

Heb 7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

King of righteousness,

King of Salem, (Jeru-Salem)

King of peace;

Jesus is the "PRINCE", or "son of the King".

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Jesus is also our "Priest".

Heb 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Of course if you have a problem with the trinity, you'll have a problem with this.

 

[blackbird]

Originally posted by Johnv:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Bro. Ruben:
Prior to the fall, were they able to see God in the garden?

Dunno. They walked with God, and heard his voice, and communicated with Him.

The rest is sheer speculation. Even in regards to them walking and hearing, how they walked, and how they heard is something we don't know. And in the big scheme of things, it's unimportant. </font>[/QUOTE]I'm with Johnv here! Pure speculation! True--Abraham saw God---and Moses talked face to face with God---its just one of those cases where when the Bible is silent about the matter--we must also be silent!

 

[jarhed]

Originally posted by blackbird:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Johnv:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Bro. Ruben:
Prior to the fall, were they able to see God in the garden?

Dunno. They walked with God, and heard his voice, and communicated with Him.

The rest is sheer speculation. Even in regards to them walking and hearing, how they walked, and how they heard is something we don't know. And in the big scheme of things, it's unimportant. </font>[/QUOTE]I'm with Johnv here! Pure speculation! True--Abraham saw God---and Moses talked face to face with God---its just one of those cases where when the Bible is silent about the matter--we must also be silent! </font>[/QUOTE]Is the Bible REALLY silent here, or can we, by inference, draw some SCRIPTURAL conclusions? #1: This pre-incarnate business has always cracked me up. Who was it that BREATHED into the NOSTRILS OF ADAM? Who was it that met with Abraham on the Plains of Mamre? Who was it the WALKED in the garden in the cool of the day??????????????? Who met Jacob that night and wrestled with him???????? Who was in the fiery furnace? Who was the Captain of the Lords Host who met Gideon and put him in his place???? Was the great I AM in the burning bush, the same as the great I AM in John's gospel???

This all begs the question...just when did God CHANGE and become a man? Rev.13:8 says that the Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world, does it not? God also claim to be the same from everlasting to everlasting.

I believe that when we get to heaven we will find that the Word of God contained many truths which we have missed completely, one of which most have missed is this notion of "pre-incarnation."

The Plan of Salvation was not lately hatched in the mind of God. God does not exist in time. He does not change. Think about this: A MAN WILL RULE FROM THE THRONE IN THE NEW JERUSALEM....just like a man created everything that was created. It was the God-Man, Christ Jesus my Lord. May God be praised for his infinite love and sacrifice which extends from everlasting to everlasting...and may he forgive me for regarding him as a time-constrained little being like myself!