Exodus 33:11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.
The face of God is the crystal clear voice of God. The conversations that Moses had with the Lord God were more real than the conversations he had with any other human being. It does not mean that Moses saw the glorious face of God. No one has ever seen God (1 John 4:12). Moses did not see the Lord in His awesome glory and might. Moses petitioned to the Lord to see Him sublime splendor and magnificent majesty but the Lord said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live” (Exodus 33:20). The prayer time of Moses consisted of profound dialogues with the Lord. He heard the Lord’s voice as he would hear his spouse or his assistant Joshua but could not see the glorious face with human eyes.
A good analogy is the sun. Without the sunlight there will be no life on earth. There will be no vegetation, no energy and no food to sustain life. The sun is 93 million miles away from the earth; however if the average distance from the Sun was reduced by 1.5 million km, we will fry in its heat. We need the sun but can never get any closer to the sun. This is the true representation of the glory of God. We cannot live without His presence but cannot get closer to the full manifestation of His glory and power.
Hence speaking to God face-to-face would mean a close, continuous and clear direction, correction and interaction with Jesus.
Face to face with God:
1. Please: We can experience a close face-to-face conversation and intimate relationship like Moses if we choose to please Him above everything else. The LORD confides in those who fear him (Psalm 25:14a). The fear of the Lord means being afraid of losing the close intimacy with God. Moses said, If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you (Exodus 33:13). It is the fear moving away from God or living under His favour. The face of the Lord is towards those who fear and please Him.
2. Purity: Light and darkness cannot co-exist. Hence to be close to God is to be far away from the deeds of darkness. God did not speak to Moses on a microphone from the pulpit; He spoke to him face-to-face.
3. Presence: Face-to-face with God means carrying His presence and being led by His guidance incessantly. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? (Exodus 33:16). Moses refused to move unless the Lord agreed to go with them. God’s presence will distinguish us from the people around us. Face-to-face with God means walking hand-in-hand and chatting, consulting and confiding continuously with the Saviour.
Face-to-face with God is close intimate continuous conversations with Jesus.
Exodus 33:14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Prayer: Wonderful Jesus I earn to be in close face-to-face conversations and intimate dialogues with you, 24/7. Speak to me as you did with Moses. Amen.
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