A Friend of God

Posted by Karen on Jun 16, 2012 | 0 comments

“Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” (Exodus 33:11A, NLT)

What exactly does “face to face” mean? Doesn’t God inform Moses in verse 20 that he would not be allowed to see His face? Yet this is not a contradiction of terms, for “face to face” was a figurative expression suggesting openness and friendship.

My father was a friend of God. No matter how early I might rise, I can never remember a morning growing up when my father wasn’t already in his favorite chair, in deep conversation with God. I mean, it wasn’t one-sided: After Dad prayed one or two sentences, he would always pause to listen. And that’s how it was — a holy, heartfelt conversation with God.

Here’s the beautiful conclusion to Exodus 33:11 — “Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, stayed behind in the Tent of Meeting.”

Fathers, are you aware of how much influence you actually have in the lives of your children? Their eternal welfare can be nurtured by your example of how you relate to your Heavenly Father. If you will invest the time necessary for a quality relationship with God, then you will understand the importance of doing the same for your children.

All children — whether physical or spiritual — learn by example. Even after Moses left, Joshua stayed behind in the Tent of Meeting. Let us do likewise, for we lead by where we linger.