The Face of God - The Mercy of God

 

There is a chorus, Oh, I want to see Him, look upon His face…

We look forward to heaven and looking upon the face of our Savior Jesus. Within this song and within the Bible, we find there is a deeper meaning "to look upon His face." We find to look upon His face we are in His mercy.

When Jacob was returning to his home country with his family, he sent messengers to his brother Esau. When they came with word that Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred men with him, Jacob was “greatly afraid and distressed.” (Genesis 32:7).

That night, Jacob was left alone and there wrestled with a man until the break of day. (Genesis 32:24).

Jacob told the man he would not let him go, except he bless him.

God had mercy on Jacob and allowed him to prevail.

"And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed." - Genesis 32:28 KJV

"And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel (“the face of God”): for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." - Genesis 32:30

Jacob saw God’s mercy.

Moses saw God’s mercy.

"And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend." - Exodus 33:11a

The priestly blessing calls for God’s mercy.

"The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:" - Numbers 6:25

When God hides His face, it is in anger and forsaking.

David pleaded with God to not hide His face from him.

"Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation." - Psalm 27:9

God said of Israel when they did evil that He would hide His face from them – He would hide His mercy from them.

"Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them..." - Deuteronomy 31:17

Instead of showing them His mercy – His face – He would show them His back – His judgment.

"I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity." - Jeremiah 18:17

Those that look upon the face of Jesus in heaven are in God’s Mercy.

"And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads." - Revelation 22:3-4

We will look upon his face - there to sing forever of His saving grace. On the streets of glory let me lift my voice - cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice!