Theophanies
What is a theophany? The word theophany derives from two Greek words, which mean “God” and “appearing.” A theophany is a special case when God appears to human beings. God appeared in thunder and fire to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai (Ex. 19-20). God appeared to Isaiah in a spectacular vision where Isaiah “saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up” (Isa. 6:1). The Old Testament records other cases, more than we might think. In some cases, God appears in human form. Sometimes there is lightning and thunder and fire. Sometimes he appears in a cloud. In some cases people see him seated on a throne, with angelic servants around him (1 Kings 22:19-23; Isa. 6:1-7; Ezek. 1:26-28; Dan. 7:9-10).
The theophanies in the Old Testament have three striking features.
First, they show us something of what God is like–his power, his holiness, his glory, and his grace.
Second, they transform people. In some cases, God inaugurates a new relationship with people. In others, he confirms and strengthens a relationship that already exists. Not all people react the same. But in some cases, people are transformed and come to understand and love God.
You may read more about theophanies in a recent book: Vern S. Poythress, Theophany: A Biblical Theology of God’s Appearing (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018).