Face to Face
Deuteronomy 34:10-11: "Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. He was unequaled for all the signs and wonders that the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land, and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel."
The Lord created his people with a need and desire for intimacy, with him and with other people. Moses enjoyed this intimacy with the Father. Throughout the books of Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, we see Moses in relationship to the Lord. That relationship began with God's revelation to Moses through the burning bush. It continued as Moses listened to God, obeyed God, and saw God's mighty works done through him. Moses learned to trust the Lord for provision of daily needs, for ongoing guidance, and for the wisdom to judge and lead the nation of Israel. While Moses enjoyed much success throughout his life, he never looked to himself or applauded himself. Moses knew that it was God working in him and through him that led to every success.
Moses' obedience to the Lord did not just lead to his success as a leader but also to a unique and special relationship to the Lord. Nowhere else in Scripture do we read these words: "whom the Lord knew face to face." In Exodus we read similar words: "Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend" (Exodus 33:11). The Lord knew Moses and Moses knew the Lord. Moses would bring his grievances to the Lord; he brought his praises to the Lord; he brought his desires, his fears, and his requests.
Not only did Moses know the Lord, but Moses enjoyed the Lord. He knew the Lord was with him and that he loved him. In the catechism of the Presbyterian church we read about the chief end of man: "The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever." Moses enjoyed a special relationship with the Lord, a relationship in which he was known by the Lord and he knew the Lord. Does this characterize your relationship to the Lord? Do you invite him to know you? Do you seek to know him? In being known and knowing, do you find yourself enjoying the Lord? This is the great calling on your life!
Reflection:
Take a few minutes today to ponder the question of whether you are glorifying the Lord and enjoying him?
The Lord created his people with a need and desire for intimacy, with him and with other people. Moses enjoyed this intimacy with the Father. Throughout the books of Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, we see Moses in relationship to the Lord. That relationship began with God's revelation to Moses through the burning bush. It continued as Moses listened to God, obeyed God, and saw God's mighty works done through him. Moses learned to trust the Lord for provision of daily needs, for ongoing guidance, and for the wisdom to judge and lead the nation of Israel. While Moses enjoyed much success throughout his life, he never looked to himself or applauded himself. Moses knew that it was God working in him and through him that led to every success.
Moses' obedience to the Lord did not just lead to his success as a leader but also to a unique and special relationship to the Lord. Nowhere else in Scripture do we read these words: "whom the Lord knew face to face." In Exodus we read similar words: "Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend" (Exodus 33:11). The Lord knew Moses and Moses knew the Lord. Moses would bring his grievances to the Lord; he brought his praises to the Lord; he brought his desires, his fears, and his requests.
Not only did Moses know the Lord, but Moses enjoyed the Lord. He knew the Lord was with him and that he loved him. In the catechism of the Presbyterian church we read about the chief end of man: "The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever." Moses enjoyed a special relationship with the Lord, a relationship in which he was known by the Lord and he knew the Lord. Does this characterize your relationship to the Lord? Do you invite him to know you? Do you seek to know him? In being known and knowing, do you find yourself enjoying the Lord? This is the great calling on your life!
Reflection:
Take a few minutes today to ponder the question of whether you are glorifying the Lord and enjoying him?
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