The Intimacy of Divine Conversation: Friendship with God
“And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.” — Exodus 33:11
Exodus 33:11 (KJV) tells us, "And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle."
At the heart of this verse is a profound truth: our God desires not merely to communicate with us, but to engage us in friendship. It is remarkable to think that Moses, a leader who faced formidable challenges and complexities, was granted the unique privilege of conversing directly with God. In the same vein, it heightens our understanding of what it means to have a relationship with our Creator.
The phrase "face to face" is striking. It signifies closeness, intimacy, and a directness of communication. The ancient Middle Eastern culture placed a high value on interpersonal relationships, where speaking face to face was a sign of trust and openness. God, through this description, reveals His heart: He longs for a connection with His people that transcends ritual and mere obligation. He wants dialogue, not monologue.
One might reflect on what it would be like to speak with the Almighty in such a manner. How transformative such conversations could be! For Moses, this was the bedrock of his leadership. The insights, wisdom, and directives he received from God in these moments equipped him to lead the Israelites through trials, fears, and uncertainties. Similarly, we, too, are in need of divine wisdom to navigate the complexities of our lives. Just as Moses did, we must carve out time in our busy lives to enter our own
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Artwork for Exodus 33:11
Exodus 33:11 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle."
"And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle." - Exodus 33:11
Exodus 12:33
Exodus 26:31-33
Exodus 33:6 - "And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb."
Exodus 33:18 - "And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory."
Jeremiah 33:2-11
Jeremiah 33:2-11
Romana 11:33-36
Nehemiah 11:33 - "Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,"
Exodus 33:21 - "And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:"
Exodus 33:14 - "And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest."
Exodus 34:33 - "And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face."
Exodus 35:33 - "And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work."
Exodus 36:33 - "And he made the middle bar to shoot through the boards from the one end to the other."
1 Chronicles 11:33 - "Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,"
John 3:3
Exodus 33:15 - "And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence."
Exodus 33:4 - "¶ And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments."
Exodus 33:20 - "And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live."
Exodus 21:33 - "¶ And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein;"
John 3:3-8
Numbers 33:11 - "And they removed from the Red sea, and encamped in the wilderness of Sin."
Exodus 33:2 - "And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:"
Exodus 33:9 - "And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses."
"Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim," - Nehemiah 11:33
Exodus 32:33 - "And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book."
Exodus 33:23 - "And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen."
Psalms 33:11 - "The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations."
exodus 18:11