Saw / Beheld רָאָה / חָזָה

We are in chapter twenty-four of Exodus with our word for today which is actually two words both translated similarly. Our first word is רָאָה see, understand, spy, reveal, look at examine. It is used 1,307 times in the Old Testament. Our word is used in the sense of to perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight. This is the basic word to see. In our chapter it is used to see God himself. Exodus 24:9-10 Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, וַיִּרְא֕וּ and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. In what way is God seen? In our chapter God is described as having feet that were heavenly clearness of a sapphire stone. We will look at some of these words in the next few days. But what is interesting is another time God reveals himself so Moses can see him. This helps us understand our word better. Even though God spoke to Moses face to face as one speaks to his friend that didn’t mean he saw him completely because Moses asks to see his glory. Here is how God responds. Exodus 33:20-23 But,” he said, “you cannot לִרְאֹ֣ת see my face, for man shall not יִרְאַ֥נִי see me and live.” And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall וְרָאִ֖יתָ see my back, but my face shall not יֵרָאֽוּ be seen.” So God allows himself to be seen in a visible way on a few occasions and unique ways but not completely because as created beings we would not be able to do so and still live. God is that awesome. Our second word is חָזָה see, behold. It is used 55 times in the Old Testament. Our word is used a lot in the same sense as our first word as to perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight. It is also used to see God. Psalm 11:7 For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall יֶחֱז֥וּ behold his face. Psalm 17:15 As for me, I shall אֶחֱזֶ֣ה behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. Psalm 63:2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, חֲזִיתִ֑יךָ beholding your power and glory. In our chapter our word is used as a summary of how they saw God. Exodus 24:10-11 וַיִּרְא֕וּ and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; וַֽיֶּחֱזוּ֙ they beheld God, and ate and drank. They saw him in the sense of how God chose to make himself known like heavenly clearness of a sapphire stone. Our words today show us how significant it is that Jesus came to earth and made God known to us. We can know God and accept the salvation and transformation he offers us through Jesus. I’ll close with this great passage. John 14:8-9 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.