Thread by @RabbiHarvey

There was a request for me to do a #thread on the multiple facets of God in the Bible, dismissing the much later inventions that God is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent. These are very new ideas (respectively), so let's get started. #threadstorytime #threadseries

Because Genesis 2/3 is based on Enuma Elish, and contains the ideas of Near Eastern gods (see other threads about this), it makes sense that the god of Genesis 2/3 is not any of the three O's. Genesis 3 shows this well: /1

For one, God is "moving" or walking about in the garden which makes God not omnipresent. More importantly, God asking Adam "Where are You?" This is not a play on words. The God of this chapter literally does not know where Adam is. This God also does not know what occurred/2

...between the man, the woman, and the snake. The conversation is not a formality. This god has questions, wants to know the answers, and is disappointed and surprised when hearing them! The same occurs when God asks Cain "where is your brother?" /3

Genesis 6 shows this again, that God has regret and is sad on God's creation. God did not know what would happen to the humans or else God would not have been sad about it! A God with regret is not an omniscient God! /4

Additionally, the entire discussion with Abraham and S&G shows a very non-Omniscient divine being, because if God knew who was guilty and who was innocent, what would be the point of the discussion? God is not toying with Abraham, this is a discussion. Moreover, Abraham/5

...scolds God which means that God makes mistakes, which is not an omniscient God. God who "know all" do not make mistakes, nor do they need to be convinced by humanity. What about outside of Genesis? How about Numbers! /6

Numbers 22:9 God asks a genuine question of Balaam, "what do these people want from you?" An Omniscient God does not ask these questions. /7

Okay, now time for my favorite examples of how God is not Omnipresent. When the Tabernacle (the Ark) was brought out in battle, according to the text, they would open the "God Box" and God would come out and destroy! When God had finished, they called back "Return!" /8

They are calling, "back into the box, God!" This is literally a dwelling place of God, not a symbol, but they are literally carrying God from place to place and taking God into battle. The God Box was why they won their wars! ADVANCE! and then RETURN! Cool right? /9

This idea carried on all the way to the building of the Temple with Solomon, when they "transferred" God from the tabernacle, the God Box, into the Temple which was the House of God. Literally the HOUSE for God. The cloud, the presence of God filled the House! /10

Now, for those who are going to try the "I thought it was the ten commandment pieces!" That's CLEARLY a scribal insert by later omnipresent scribes. I mean...it's so awkward. Verse 9 just doesn't belong. Nice try, redactors! /11

Even the late late texts show God as not omniscient, like in Job! What the crap is God asking HaSatan "where have you been?" If God already knows, why waste the time? /12

There are large questions that occur when we look at the meta-narrative of the Torah. Why an omnipotent God would allow the enslavement the Israelites for 400 years, etc. But there are specific incidents that raise questions, such as Judges 1:20: /13

What the crap? Why? If God is with Judah, Judah should be able to do anything, even take over those with iron chariots! Don't ya think? Don't get me wrong, the God of certain aspects of the Bible is mighty, very strong, and sung about in that way, but all-powerful? No. /14

There are many more examples, but the important thing to remember is that a very late idea of God being Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent, is a foolish thing to implant upon the text. You will find yourself doing mental gymnastics instead of reading the text correctly. /15

By placing these late ideas (such as divine authorship, perfection, the three O's, and other later theological thoughts) onto the biblical text, you miss the meaning of the text, and only see what your pastor wanted you to see. Think about why that is!
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