This is a phrase that maybe not really understood in the context of the scriptures.
Here is an example of God’s use of this phrase. It is in Ezekiel 39.29
Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
Another one in Ezekiel 39.7 So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.
This phrase is used in the scriptures is used over 200 times in various ways with God and His people. When used by God it is in reference to His involvement in certain people at different times. The most used one is when He is talking about His people the Israel nation. This is the reality of the Israel nation that their existence was all based on the face of God being shown on them thru out their existence. It was God being for them in all their lives. This is whole identity of Israel and God with the fulfillment of commitment to the Law of Moses.
It is when the Israel strayed away from the law that the Face of God was being hidden from them, as is the breaking of a commitment or covenant of anything.
But it is this ability of God to shine his face in front of us to see that is what we strive for! What is not realized by most is that this ‘action’ by God is for all mankind! See Ezekiel 39.7 above. This was proclaimed centuries ago by the prophets and to the people of Israel, which they did not follow thru on. Why do we not ‘hear’ this from God now? Why do we not want the world to see his face?
It is ironic that when God hides His face, that it is then that Mankind tries to prove its ability to ‘rule’ the world on its own, to utter disaster over and over again. All we have to do is just look out our window, to see this. Our reliance on either governments,leaders,church,individuals,traditions, or simple just denying the relevance of God for anything has led us into a world of chaos.
God’s Face will shine upon us, soon, when we finally look at him as our Lord and Savior and Creator of the World. and we all said “Sooner than later” would be good!!
As Romans 14.11 says For it is written,
“AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME,
AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD.”
The Eternal Purpose 