The Word Made Flesh

Some Jews Say

Marty Replies

God as Man? Roman Catholics believe that God came down to earth in human form, as Jesus said: Jn 10:30 “I and the Father are one.” But Maimonides devotes most of his Guide for the Perplexed to the fundamental idea that God is incorporeal, meaning that He assumes no physical form. God is Eternal, above time. He is Infinite, beyond space. He cannot be born, and cannot die. Saying that God assumes human form makes God small, diminishing both His unity and His divinity. As the Torah says: Num 23:19 “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should repent. Has he said, and will he not do it?” Judaism says that the Messiah will be born of human parents, and possess normal physical attributes like other people. He will not be a demi-god, and will not possess supernatural qualities. In fact, an individual is alive in every generation with the capacity to step into the role of the Messiah. (see Maimonides - Laws of Kings 11:3)

Balaam’s statement to Balak, Num 23:19 “God is not man …” had nothing to do with the Messiah as a divine Person with a human nature. Balak had commanded Balaam to curse Israel, but God had commanded Balaam to bless Israel. Balaam obeyed God, and at God’s command told Balak that He does not lie as men do.

God is pure spiritual substance, but He is quite capable, if He wishes, of taking on a human nature and briefly visiting us. Jews understand that God is Avinu Malkenu, our Father, our King. He loves us and cares for us. Is it so much to believe that He loves us enough to visit briefly with us?

Maimonides was a Jewish scholar, a rabbi, physician, and philosopher in Spain and Egypt during the twelfth century. His Guide for the Perplexed does not focus primarily on God’s incorporeality. His Law of Kings was concerned to show that Jesus was not God’s Messiah, but if Jews can quote him to say that Jesus is not God’s Messiah, Catholics can quote Jacques Maritain to say that He is.