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Moses is an amazing man in the Bible. We can learn from him in so many ways, not the least of which is his personal relationship with God. While there is no way to prove this, I believe one of the reasons God talks with him face to face like a friend is because of his focus. He is not thrown about by every whim or Israelite grumbling. He leaves the position of being Egyptian royalty to instead suffer and lead God’s people. He looks to God every time there is a problem and is always obedient to God’s instructions. His focus is on God.
The Israelites, unfortunately, complain and change their hearts rapidly. Each time they experience trouble, their first inclination is either to blame God or decide that He has abandoned them. Where is the trust? Where is the focus? The Israelites focus on everything around them, just as Peter does when he begins to walk on water. The result is always fear and sinking. We also see that they do not enjoy the same type of relationship with God as Moses does. (I’m not implying that it is only because their focus is wrong. We know that the Holy Spirit had not yet been poured out on all people before the time of Jesus, and God usually chose prophets and certain people to speak to and share His message in the Old Testament.) However, we simply cannot gloss over the fact that God literally speaks to Moses like a friend.
This reminds us of a time before the Fall, where Adam and Eve walk with God in the cool of the day (Genesis 3) and even after the Fall in Genesis 5, where it says Enoch walks with God. What a beautiful and close relationship we are intended to have with our Creator. But just like the Fall, we become deceived or enticed by things around us. We allow too many things in, and they infect us. Our focus on God loses clarity and soon we find ourselves falling or at least feeling distant from God.
God wants our eyes on Him. He wants us to purge the infection so we can be healed, for He delights in obedient hearts. Where is your heart today? Where is your focus? We are the privileged ones who have the Holy Spirit at all times. Of all people and times, we should be focused on God! He is living in us!
Pray today that God will enable you to walk intimately with Him and that you will clearly hear His voice and be obedient. Ask Him to help you purge those things from your life that draw your focus away from Him. He is far better than anything our eyes could feast or focus on.
The Israelites, unfortunately, complain and change their hearts rapidly. Each time they experience trouble, their first inclination is either to blame God or decide that He has abandoned them. Where is the trust? Where is the focus? The Israelites focus on everything around them, just as Peter does when he begins to walk on water. The result is always fear and sinking. We also see that they do not enjoy the same type of relationship with God as Moses does. (I’m not implying that it is only because their focus is wrong. We know that the Holy Spirit had not yet been poured out on all people before the time of Jesus, and God usually chose prophets and certain people to speak to and share His message in the Old Testament.) However, we simply cannot gloss over the fact that God literally speaks to Moses like a friend.
This reminds us of a time before the Fall, where Adam and Eve walk with God in the cool of the day (Genesis 3) and even after the Fall in Genesis 5, where it says Enoch walks with God. What a beautiful and close relationship we are intended to have with our Creator. But just like the Fall, we become deceived or enticed by things around us. We allow too many things in, and they infect us. Our focus on God loses clarity and soon we find ourselves falling or at least feeling distant from God.
God wants our eyes on Him. He wants us to purge the infection so we can be healed, for He delights in obedient hearts. Where is your heart today? Where is your focus? We are the privileged ones who have the Holy Spirit at all times. Of all people and times, we should be focused on God! He is living in us!
Pray today that God will enable you to walk intimately with Him and that you will clearly hear His voice and be obedient. Ask Him to help you purge those things from your life that draw your focus away from Him. He is far better than anything our eyes could feast or focus on.