The separation between the CREATOR and the created cannot be overstated. Paul clearly declares this truth when he writes to Timothy, describing the heights of glory which surround HIM who alone is eternal. HE “is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” (1Tim 6:15-16) This is what the LORD told Moses, saying, “Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.” (Exo 33:20) It is repeated by John saying, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” (John 1:18)
The LORD JESUS who is the embodiment of the FATHER, in flesh and blood, (see Col 1:15) confirmed this very truth as HE taught men with the words of HIS mouth, “Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.” (John 6:46) “No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” (Mat 11:27)
Knowing the vain imaginations of men, the LORD forbade Israel to make any image or likeness of HIM who cannot be seen. “Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.” (Lev 26:1) Yet it is HE who is pleased to present HIMSELF to them in the likeness of a MAN. Throughout the scriptures, HE is often referred to in this fashion. The great scholars would call this “anthropomorphism”, which is a Greek word which literally means, “having human characteristics.”
Thus we find HIM speaking of HIS hand, “See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.” (Deu 32:39) The Psalmist mentions HIS eyes and ears, “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” (Psa 34:15). HIS eyelids, “The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.” (Psa 11:4) HIS feet. “He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.” (Psa 18:9) HIS arm. “O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.” (Psa 98:1)
We could cite many more instances but suffice these to illustrate the point that HE does not set these things forth, simply, to describe HIS appendages and organs, but rather to give men a point of reference to recognize the absolute power and knowledge which reside in HIMSELF, in terms which cannot be mistaken by the creature.
Pharaoh’s magicians could hardly be described as worshippers of JEHOVAH, yet they recognized the working of HIS mighty power as they told Pharaoh that this plague of lice, (which they could not duplicate through their slight of hand) was indeed the work of “ELOHIM” (i.e. the SUPREME GOD), but, because the LORD had hardened Pharaoh’s heart, he paid no heed to their warning. They said this was the “finger” of GOD. This is an interesting description and we see the “finger of GOD” mentioned several other times in the scriptures.
One of these is found when the LORD gave the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. “And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.” (Exo 31:18) “And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them was written according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.” (Deut 9:10) Lest any man should think that Moses sat down with a hammer and chisel (as depicted by some artists) to write this law from his own imagination, he reiterates that this Code is that which came directly from the hand of GOD.
Regardless of this fact; men did then, and continue now, to despise that which GOD wrote with HIS finger. “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.” (Gal 3:21) In this we see the fact, that though this law inscribed in tables of stone was indeed most glorious, it was never intended for any other purpose than to reveal the sinful nature of men. “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Rom 3:19-20)
Thus, we are brought to see another time when the LORD wrote with HIS finger for the same purpose. The Pharisees brought a woman taken in the very act of adultery and cast her at the feet of the LORD JESUS. They did this, not because they loved the law, but because they wished to lay a snare for the LORD. They rightly spoke the law (as many modern Pharisee’s do), as they pointed out the dire consequences which the law demanded. “Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.” (John 8:5-6)
Much speculation has been made as to what HE wrote there, but the scriptures do not give us any indication as to what it was. But it is clear what the ultimate result of that which HE spoke and wrote was. “So, when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.” (John 8:7-8) One by one, we see them slinking away, smitten in conscience and perhaps somewhat angry that they had been beaten at their own game. The Law is designed for condemnation and all who are confronted by it, by that which is written in the heart, by the “finger of GOD”; taste the bitterness of their own sin.
Paul experienced this same thing. “For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.” (Rom 7:9-11) While he lived the life of a “Pharisee of the Pharisees”, he thought that he had a high regard to the law, as he pressed its demands upon others, and took pride in his own keeping of it (according to his weak understanding). Yet when the LORD brought to him a clear understanding (i.e.; “when the commandment came”) he was broken and ashamed by it.
Jeremiah records the promise of GOD unto those whom HE loves, “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people----for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jer 31:33-34) This is a most glorious “writing” which is performed, only, by the “finger of GOD”, as the LORD told Nicodemus, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2Cor 5:17) Have you known this writing with the “FINGER of GOD,” which is CHRIST?
mam