QUESTION: There seems to be a contradiction between what is stated in Exodus 33:20 and the encounters that occurred between God and some of the Old Testament prophets. Please explain.
ANSWER: No man has literally looked into the face of God (I John 4:12). Man has, however, seen manifestations of God in miraculous situations such as the burning bush, etc., but never God Himself. In Exodus 33:11, it is stated that “Jehovah spake unto Moses face to face as a man speaketh unto his friend.”
This passage does not imply that Jehovah (who is a spirit) took on Himself a fleshly existence so Moses could look into His face. It simply affirms that God spoke unto Moses directly and openly, as would a friend.