We are generally under the impression that Christ took the form of man only at His incarnation. But the Bible tells us otherwise. The LORD appeared to Abraham as a man when Abraham sat outside his tent in the plains of Mamre. But He also appeared to him as a man when Abraham was in the plain of Moreh (after entering the land of Canaan), then later on when Abraham was 99 years old. He also visited Sarah at the time she gave birth to Isaac, when Abraham was 100 years old.
We know that no man has seen God the Father at any time (John 1:18). Therefore any reference to "the LORD" appearing as a man is a reference to the pre-incarnate Christ (who also appeared many times as "the Angel of the LORD").
IN THE PLAIN OF MOREH WHEN ABRAHAM WAS ABRAM
And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him. (Gen 12:6,7)
It would seem that the LORD appeared as a man and spoke to Abram face to face. But Abram knew that this was God, therefore he built an altar and worshipped there. This is quite amazing.
WHEN ABRAM WAS NINETY NINE YEARS OLD
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying... (Gen 17:1-3)
IN THE PLAINS OF MAMRE
And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground (Gen 18:1,2)
WHEN ISAAC WAS BORN
And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken... And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. (Gen 21:1,12)
In all of this it is evident that Abraham and Sarah were special in God’s sight and in His plans for Christ. But we also see that Christ was appearing to men ever since He appeared to Adam and long before His incarnation.
We know that no man has seen God the Father at any time (John 1:18). Therefore any reference to "the LORD" appearing as a man is a reference to the pre-incarnate Christ (who also appeared many times as "the Angel of the LORD").
IN THE PLAIN OF MOREH WHEN ABRAHAM WAS ABRAM
And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him. (Gen 12:6,7)
It would seem that the LORD appeared as a man and spoke to Abram face to face. But Abram knew that this was God, therefore he built an altar and worshipped there. This is quite amazing.
WHEN ABRAM WAS NINETY NINE YEARS OLD
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying... (Gen 17:1-3)
IN THE PLAINS OF MAMRE
And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground (Gen 18:1,2)
WHEN ISAAC WAS BORN
And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken... And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. (Gen 21:1,12)
In all of this it is evident that Abraham and Sarah were special in God’s sight and in His plans for Christ. But we also see that Christ was appearing to men ever since He appeared to Adam and long before His incarnation.
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