Lesson 15: Epiphany

An epiphany is an appearance of God. If the biblical creation is not so much the origin of a cosmos as the start of a history we share with God, you would expect to find a number of these manifestations in the scriptures. You would, also, assume they would convey an insight into who God is.

Even though his people understand God is a spirit like the wind, unseen but experienced, they still record some amazing manifestations. Remember the three angels who visit Abraham, the dreams of Joseph, the mighty wrestler who dislocates Jacob’s hip, the unconsumed burning bush that draws Moses’ attention, the volcano-like mountain top at Sinai, the mercy seat between the cherubim’s wings on the Ark of the Covenant that resides in the Tabernacle and then the Temple, the whirlwind that confronts Job, and the incense-filled temple experience calling Isaiah..

None of these were regarded as direct appearances. It was assumed to see God face to face would kill you. That makes the personal appearances granted Moses (Exodus 33: 17- 34: 9) and Elijah (I Kings 19: 11-18) of special significance. Both of these are described as special gifts granted the two mightiest heroes in our Old Testament.

I have always enjoyed the appearance given Moses as especially good for conveying the Bible’s humor and the human situation. God takes some necessary precautions to assure Moses’ safety. He places our hero in a cleft of the rock on Sinai, covers the hole with his hand, passes over him in a great storm, and then lifts his hand, so Moses can take peek at his rear end. Even this awkward view causes Moses’ face to shine so much he must wear a veil to protect his friends.

Elijah always wants to outdo Moses, so his appearance is more dignified. He is again on Sinai and again protected inside a cave as a great wind, earthquake, and fire pass by. The Bible reports God is not in these storms. Elijah comes out of the cave into the “sheer silence” that follows. It is in this silence that God is found.

In both cases the physical appearances are down played in favor of the words that follow. It is always understood God is known best in his Words. And, of course, our New Testament picks that up when it proclaims the Word is made human and dwells among us in Jesus of Nazareth, the perfect epiphany of God. We see this in the Transfiguration where the two mighty heroes, Moses and Elijah, finally see God face to face as they converse with Jesus.

The implication is all of Jesus disciples see God face to face without the need of a veil for protection (II Corinthians 3: 12-18). They do not fully understand what is given them as God is never quite what we expect. The Wise Men go seeking him at king’s palace only to find God eventually among the poor.

We present-day disciples are constantly looking for God among us. We know he can be found any where, but sometimes it is difficult to spot him in the White House, Wall Street, or the University. Look first where the Wise Men found him, among the poor. And train yourself by regularly sharing the manifestation that takes place each Sunday when the believing community gathers around Jesus’ Super.

Tags: Elijah, epiphany, Moses, Spirit