Day 3 of 14
Moses: Face to Face with God
The Intimacy of the Tent of Meeting
Scripture Readings
Today's Reading
Read Exodus 33:7-11. Moses used to pitch a tent outside the camp called "the tent of meeting." Whenever Moses entered it, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance, and the Lord would speak to Moses. And then Luke drops this stunning line: "Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." Now read Exodus 33:18-23. Even with this extraordinary intimacy, Moses wants more. He prays, "Please show me your glory." God says, "I will make all my goodness pass before you... but you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live."
Reflection
Moses' relationship with God is unlike anything else in the Old Testament. Other prophets received visions and dreams. Moses spoke with God directly, personally, face to face. The tent of meeting was not a cathedral or a committee room. It was the place of friendship between the Creator of the universe and a shepherd from Midian.
Spurgeon gazed at Exodus 33:11 with wonder. The Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. What a privilege! And yet Spurgeon insisted that this privilege is offered in measure to every believer who draws near to God in prayer. The God who met Moses in the tent of meeting is the same God who meets you in your quiet time, your commute, your sleepless night.
But even Moses wanted more. After decades of face-to-face communion, Moses prayed the boldest prayer of his life: "Show me your glory." Keller observes that this is the prayer of someone who has gone deep and wants to go deeper. Intimacy with God does not satisfy the desire for God; it increases it. The more you know Him, the more you want to know Him.
God's response is both generous and protective. He promises to reveal His goodness, to proclaim His name, and to show mercy and grace. But He shields Moses from the full force of His glory: "You cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live." God hides Moses in the cleft of a rock and covers him with His hand as the glory passes by. Moses sees God's back -- a glimpse, not the whole picture.
This scene anticipates the gospel. In Christ, God reveals His glory fully -- "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory" (John 1:14). What Moses received in part, we receive in full. Through Jesus, we see the face of God and live.
Going Deeper
Moses' prayer teaches us that prayer is not static. It grows. It deepens. The person who has prayed for years should be hungrier for God, not less. If your prayer life feels routine or flat, it may not be because you have gone too far but because you have not gone far enough. Dare to pray Moses' prayer today: "Show me your glory."
Key Quotes
“Moses' request to see God's glory is the prayer of someone who has gone deep into relationship with God and wants to go deeper still. The more you know God, the more you want to know him.”
“The Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. What a description! What a privilege! And yet this privilege is offered in measure to every believer who draws near to God in prayer.”
Prayer Focus
Ask God to deepen your desire for His presence. Like Moses, dare to pray, 'Show me your glory.'
Meditation
Exodus 33:11 says God spoke to Moses 'face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.' What would it feel like to have that kind of intimacy with God? What stands in the way?
Question for Discussion
Moses asked to see God's glory, and God revealed His goodness, mercy, and grace while shielding Moses from the full sight. What does this tell us about the nature of encountering God -- that He both reveals Himself and protects us from more than we can bear?