Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Jim West <jwest AT highland.net>]

Colleagues...
I think we are all aware that for most Biblical Literature God's presence is
perceived as a blessing.  Yet, there seem to be a number of places where the
presence of God becomes an oppressive and nearly unbearable burden.

In particular, God's command to Abraham to sacrifice Isaac seems to imply
that God has become an oppressor.  Likewise, Jeremiah's confession that God
had "overpowered" (literally- raped) him and forced him into the prophetic
office seems to indicate that God's presence is no blessing at all but
rather a curse.  Similarly Job says "turn your face away long enough for me
to swallow my spit".  This too I take as an indication that God's presence
is a curse rather than a blessing.

Im sure there must be other examples of God's presence as oppressiveness.
Can you think of any?

Thanks,

Jim
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

" The righteous man looks after his own soul, and the bodies of others, 
whereas the hypocrite looks after his own body, and the souls of others"
Rabbi Lionel Blue

Jim West, ThD
jwest AT highland.net
http://web.infoave.net/~jwest