Face To Face With A Friend

TO READ: Exodus 33:1-23

Inside the Tent of Meeting, the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. . . . . The LORD replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.”

Exodus 33:11, 17

Moses and God were friends! Have you ever thought of your relationship with God in terms of a friendship? What were the elements of this friendship between God and Moses?

The first element clearly was determination. Moses had a very busy schedule, yet he was determined to spend time with God (Exodus 33:7-11). God watched over his servant Moses, for Moses had been given the overwhelming task of leading an entire nation from one country to another! In turn, Moses knew that he could not possibly handle the task of leading God’s people without constant guidance from the Lord.

Second, Moses did not exclude others from his friendship with God. “It was Moses’ practice to take the Tent of Meeting and set it up some distance from the camp. Everyone who wanted to make a request of the LORD would go to the Tent of Meeting” (Exodus 33:7). Moses knew that he was not the only one to whom God could speak. Moses wanted others to know God’s friendship, too.

Third, the phrase face to face gives us the sense of openness, honesty, and delight. Moses was not afraid to ask God anything. Moses spoke honestly, showed his true needs, and expected God to answer.

We need to nourish our prime relationship with God! As we meet him regularly “face to face,” he will fill our lives to overflowing, and out of that overflow our human friendships will flourish.

Do you lack friends? Start with God, and he will show you how to be a friend to others.