Why is God abstract for us, but He comes and visits Abraham in a tent, disguised as a traveler?

Question

I'm too lazy to pick one, so this is going up for a vote.

Answer 1

He s abstract to those who cannot grasp Him. To those who can, He/She is concrete, and will appear disguised as everyone...

Answer 2

In many old religions, and also in folklore, god (or gods) can visit mortal people in the form of a traveler or a beggarman. This belief is even considered to be the foundation of hospitality, for many nations. This is also why there is a widespread rule that the person that takes a traveler in his house must offer him some kind of a gift (in certain cases, even in form of ritual prostitution). The logic about this is simple: if, by some case, the traveler is in fact some divine deity, it is better to treat it well, for it will treat you well afterwards. I believe that this scene from the Bible derives from this custom, which is well known to many asian, european and african folk.

Answer 3

Dude: Actually, God [the Father] never visited the earth (He will later when a NEW Heaven and a NEW earth are comprised see: Book of Revelation) . This was Jesus [Logos - "spokesman"], Who went to see ol' Abraham, on His way to visit Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham's role in the Bible was one of "father" [ Patriarch ] of the "Faithful". Abraham was an example for those [Christians], who would later, be called into a relationship with Jesus Christ [New Covenant] re: "saved by faith" !!!

Answer 4

I am sorry that God is abstract to you.
He is not to me.
in fact, His Spirit lives inside of me and guides me through life.
John 3: The Words of Jesus Christ (God in the flesh)
3. "Verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God."
4. Nicodemus saith unto Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?"
5. Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God."
6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."
16. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18. He that believeth on Him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

Answer 5

What do you mean abstract. I know God is as real as you. More so since I know God and I don't you. How do I know you're real? Maybe someone made you up. Maybe you're abstract. All I have is some icon. How do you know you aren't a figment of my imagination?

Answer 6

Old testament versus New Testament. Now we have Jesus to connect to God through. The people in the Old Testament didn't have that... they normally couldn't be directly to God.

Answer 7

Abraham has always had a lot of great fiction writers telling his story.

Answer 8

how do u know he hasn't visited u too , like as another shopper in a store that said hello to u , or something on that line

Answer 9

Maybe if one's brain is not so primitive, the idea of the non-existance of this so called "god" can finally sink through. yes?

Answer 10

Because God is God and can do any God damned thing he wants!