(no subject)

[dreamer_easy]

Continuing my earlier question about why God would send angels rather than putting in a personal appearance: in Exodus 30 God informs Moses that "Thou canst not see my face: for man shall not see me, and live." Putting aside that they are conversing "face to face" (the rest of the chapter makes it clear that Moses cannot literally see God's face), this confirms the face-melting suspicion, but doesn't answer why God sends a messenger rather than just turning up in a hat two sizes too large.

Comments

[sidravitale]

(I deleted my prior comment since it was unhelpful at best. I offer this in its stead.)

I don't think there's an answer within theology per se. I think the answer is more in the social structures at the time supported by theology.

Man forms kingdom-type social structures.
Man is formed in God's image.
Therefore, Man's kingdom-type social structures are also in God's image.
Therefore, Heaven is a Kingdom.

If Heaven is a Kingdom,
God is the King.

Kings have flunkies, including heralds.
Therefore, because God is a King, God must also have flunkies, including heralds.

Basically, God would not deliver messages Himself because it's simply "not done", at that time in history, by a king directly.

[pbristow.livejournal.com]

...and even if God *isn't* a king (in the earthly sense) - or doesn't run his kingdom in the same way as earthly kingdoms - the human perception of him as a king means it saves a lot of awkward questions if he behaves like one, i.e. sends a messenger, if that's what's expected by the people he's talking to.

People were often pretty discombobulated just by the idea that they were talking to a representative of God. Imagine how much time you could waste waiting for them to get their heads around the idea that "Oh my G... er.. You! You're... you!", before they were actually clear-headed enough to listen and take in what you were saying.

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

Like that mawkish cartoon where God makes his first appearance accompanied by (IIRC) lightning, explosions, trumpets, and a monkey on a bicycle trailing a banner which reads IT'S REALLY HIM.